International Residential Code 2009Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2009 International Residential Code
DATE: July 14, 2010
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Rich Russell, Building Services Manager
Michael C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
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2007
Building Services Manager Rich Russell recommends City Council approval to amend
the City Ordinance by adopting the 2009 International Residential Code published by
the International Code Council and also recommending the adoption of amendments
recommended by the Building Code Board of Appeals. This amendment will allow
general contractors, architects, system designers and Building Services staff members
to use an up -to -date residential code and will help to maintain the City's Insurance
Services Organization (ISO) rating. The City of Dubuque adopted the 2006 edition of
the International Residential Code on July 17, 2007.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
July 14, 2010
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Rich Russell, Building Services Manager !A-/\-/`
RE: Adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code
Dubuque
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111- America City
2007
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend the 2009 International Residential Code be
adopted as amended. / have attached an ordinance for the City Council's use.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this memo is to recommend the amending of the City
Ordinance by adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) published by
the International Code Council, Inc. and also recommend the adoption of amendments
recommended by the Building Code Board of Appeals.
BACKGROUND:
1. The City of Dubuque adopted the 2006 edition of the International Residential
Code on July 17, 2007 by the approval of City Ordinance 42 -07.
2. The Building Code Board of Appeals met on June 16, 2010 to discuss the
adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code.
3. The Board recommended not including the requirement for residential
sprinklers.
4. The Board recommended adoption of the 2009 International Residential
Code with the attached amendments.
DISCUSSION: The adoption of the 2009 International Residential Code will continue to
allow general contractors, architects, system designers and Building Services staff
members to use an up to date building code. The adoption of the 2009 edition will help
us maintain our Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating.
The Dubuque Homebuilder's Association has two of its members on the Building Code
Board of Appeals. Their involvement and support have been an integral part of this
process.
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4381
ORDINANCE NO. 42-10
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 14 BUILDING AND
DEVELOPMENT, CHAPTER 1 BUILDING CODES, ARTICLE B INTERNATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL CODE, SECTION 14-1B-1 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
ADOPTED AND SECTION 14-1B-2 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
AMENDMENTS BY REPEALING SUCH SECTIONS AND ENACTING NEW
SECTIONS 14-1B-1 AND 14-1B-2 ADOPTING THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL CODE AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND
COLLECTION OF FEES THEREFOR
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 14-1B-1 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
amended by enacting a new Section 14 -1 B -1 as follows:
Sec. 14 -1 B -1. International Residential Code - Adopted.
Except as hereinafter added to, deleted, modified, or amended, there is hereby adopted
by reference as the building code of the city that certain building code known as the
International Residential Code, 2009 Edition and as published by the International Code
Council, Inc., and the provisions of such building code shall be controlling in the
construction, remodeling, maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of one and two family
residential buildings and in all matters covered by such building code within the
corporate limits of the city and shall be known as the "Dubuque Residential Building
Code." A copy of the International Residential Code, 2009 Edition, as adopted, shall be
on file in the office of the city clerk for public inspection.
Section 2. Section 14-1B-2 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
amended by enacting the following additions, deletions, modifications, or amendments
of the International Residential Code, 2009 Edition, adopted in Section 14 -1B -1 to read
as follows:
Sec. R103.1. Creation of enforcement agency. There is hereby established in the city
the building services department, which shall be under the jurisdiction of the building
official.
Sec. 105.5 Expiration.
Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such
permit is completed within one year after its issuance. The building official is authorized
to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not to exceed 180 days.
The extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Sec. R112. Building Code and Advisory Appeals Board. An appeal of a decision
rendered under the International Residential Code shall be brought to the Building Code
and Advisory Appeals Board as outlined in City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, Title
14, Chapter 1, Article A.
Sec. R113. Violations.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter,
repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any
building or structure or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this code.
The doing of any act, or the omission of any act, declared to be unlawful by this code, or
any code or ordinance herein adopted by reference shall be deemed a separate offense
for each and every day or portion thereof during which any such unlawful act is
committed, continued or permitted and upon conviction shall be punishable as provided
in Title I of the Code of Ordinances. The penalty herein provided shall be cumulative
with and in addition to the revocation, cancellation or forfeiture of any license or permit
elsewhere in this code provided for violation thereof.
Sec. 310.1. Emergency Escape and Rescue Required. Basements, habitable attics, and
every sleeping room shall have at least one (1) operable emergency escape and rescue
opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress
and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room. Where emergency
escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than
44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below
the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and
is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with
Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be
obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from
the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the
adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with
Section R310.2. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a
public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
EXCEPTIONS:
EXCEPTIONS:
1. Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not
exceeding total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2).
2. Basements without bedrooms that provide a second stairway that
terminates in a room separate from the first stairway.
3. The finished sill height may exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) above the
floor if approved by the building official and the following conditions are
met:
a. The exterior finish grade is more than 36 inches (914 mm)
above the interior floor level of the room, OR altering the exterior
configuration of the building would adversely affect the historical
significance of the building.
b. A platform capable of supporting a live Toad of 300 pounds
shall be permanently affixed at the interior of the window. This
platform shall be no lower than 20 inches (508 mm) above the floor
and no higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor. The
distance from the platform to the finished sill height shall not
exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The platform shall extend outward
from the wall a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) and shall be at
least as wide as the clear openable width of the window.
c. The escape or rescue window shall comply with Section
R310.2.
d. The building is equipped with smoke detectors installed in
accordance with Section R313.
Sec. R311.7.7.2. Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full
length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly
above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in
newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not
less than 1 1 /2 inch (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails.
1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at a turn.
2. The use of a volute, turnout or starting easing shall be allowed over the
lowest tread.
3. Top rails may be interrupted by walls.
Sec. R313. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems is hereby amended by repealing such
section.
Sec. R404.1.2. Concrete Foundation Walls. Concrete foundation walls that support
Tight -frame walls shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of
this section, ACI 318, ACI 332 or PCA 100. Concrete foundation walls that support
above -grade concrete walls that are within the applicability limits of Section R611.2 shall
be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this section ACI 318,
ACI 332 or PCA 100. When ACI 318, ACI 332, PCA 100 or the provisions of this
section are used to design concrete foundation walls, project drawings, typical details,
and specifications are not required to bear the seal of the architect or engineer
responsible for design, unless otherwise required by the state law of the jurisdiction
having authority.
EXCEPTION:
The following reinforcement requirements may be used as an alternative for 8"
(204 mm) thick concrete foundation walls between 96 (2438 mm) and 120 inches
(3048 mm) in height: #4 bars 20 inches (508 mm) on center vertically and #4
bars 24 inches (610 mm) on center horizontally.
Sec. P2603.6. Freezing. As Dubuque requires a winter design temperature of 32
degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) or lower as shown in Table R301.2(1) of this
code, a water, soil or waste pipe shall not be installed outside of a building, in exterior
walls, in attics or crawl spaces, or in any other place subjected to freezing temperature
unless adequate provision is made to protect it from freezing by insulation or heat or
both. Water service pipe shall be installed not less than 6 inches (152 mm) below the
frost line.
Sec. P3114.3. Where permitted.
Individual vents, branch vents, circuit vents and stack vents shall be permitted to
terminate with a connection to an air admittance valve when approved by the building
official or their agent in cases where structural or existing conditions do not allow for the
termination of a vent to the exterior of the structure.
Individual and branch type air admittance valves shall vent only fixtures that are on the
same floor level and connect to a horizontal branch drain.
Part VIII "Electrical" is hereby amended by deleting Chapters 34 -43 in their entirety.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect on publication.
Passed, approved and adopted the day of , 2010.
Att st:
e anne F. Schneider, City Clerk
L(
Roy D. uol, Mayor