1997 Uniform Building CodeORDINANCE NO. 27-00
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA BY
REPEALING SECTION 11-1 AND SECTION 11-2 AND
ENACTING NEW SECTIONS 11-1 AND 11-2 IN LIEU
THEREOF ADOPTING THE 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING
CODE FOR THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA 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. That Section 11-1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque,
Iowa be amended by repealing Section 11-1 and enacting a new Section 11-1 in lieu
thereof as follows:
Sec. 11-1. Uniform Building 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 Uniform Building Code, 1997 Edition, Volumes 1-3 and as
prepared and edited by the International Conference of Building Officials of
Whittier, California, and the provisions of such building code shall be controlling
in the construction of buildings and other structures and in all matters covered by
such building code within the corporate limits of the city and shall be known as
the "Dubuque Building Code." A copy of the Uniform Building Code, 1997
Edition, as adopted, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk for public
inspection.
Section 2. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa be
amended by repealing Section 11-2 and enacting a new section 11-2 in lieu thereof as
follows:
Section 11-2. The code adopted by Section 11-1 of this chapter is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 101.3 Section 101.3 "Scope" is hereby amended by repealing Sec. 101.3
and enacting a new Sec. 101.3 to read as follows:
Sec. 101.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction,
alteration, moving, demolition, repair, maintenance and use of any building or structure
within this jurisdiction, except work located primarily in a public way, public utility towers
and poles, mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in this code, and hydraulic
flood control structures.
For additions, alterations, moving and maintenance of buildings and structures,
see Chapter 34. For temporary buildings and structures, see Section 3103 and
Appendix Chapter 31.
Historic buildings. Repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the
preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, continued use or change of use of a historic
building may be made in compliance with the provisions of the 1997 Edition of the
Uniform Code for Building Conservation (UCBC).
Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different
materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall
govern. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific
requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.
Wherever in this code reference is made to the appendix, the provisions in the
appendix shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
Sec. 104.1 Section 104.1, "Creation of Enforcement Agency," is hereby
amended by repealing such section and replacing such section with a new section in
lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 104.1
Creation of Enforcement Agency
(a) Creation of department. There is hereby established in the city the building
services department, which shall be under the jurisdiction of the building official.
(b) Appointment of Building Official. The building official shall be appointed by
and serve at the pleasure of the city manager.
Sec. 102. Section 102, "Unsafe Buildings or Structures" is hereby amended by
repealing such section and replacing such section with a new section in lieu thereof as
follows:
Sec. 102. Unsafe Buildings or Structures
All buildings or structures regulated by this code which are structurally unsafe or
not provided with adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise
dangerous to human life are, for the purpose of this section, unsafe. Any use of
buildings or structures constituting a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason
of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, disaster, damage
or abandonment is, for the purpose of this section, an unsafe use. Parapet walls,
cornices, spires, towers, tanks, statuary and other appendages or structural members
which are supported by, attached to, or a part of a building and which are in
deteriorated condition or otherwise unable to sustain the design loads which are
specified in this code are hereby designated as unsafe building appendages.
All such unsafe buildings, structures or appendages are hereby declared to be
public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in
accordance with the procedures set forth in Article II of Chapter 11 of the Code of
Ordinances.
Sec. 105. Section 105, "Board of Appeals," is hereby amended by repealing
such section and replacing such section with a new section in lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 105. Building Code and Advisory Appeals Board.
(a) Board Established. In order to determine the suitability of alternative building
materials and methods of building construction, to provide for reasonable interpretation
of the provisions of the building code, and to advise the city council on all building
construction regulations and procedures, there is hereby created the building code
advisory and appeals board.
(b) Membership. The building code advisory and appeals board shall consist of
five (5) members appointed by the city council. One (1) member shall be an architect or
engineer registered in the State of Iowa, one (1) member shall be a general building
construction contractor, one (1) member shall be a journeyman carpenter, and two (2)
members shall be from the public at large.
(c) Term of Office. The term of office of all board members shall be for three (3)
years, except that initial appointments of one (1) member shall be for a term of one (1)
year, two (2) members for two-year terms and two (2) members for three-year terms.
(d) Rules and Regulations. The board shall make such rules and prescribe such
procedures as may be reasonably necessary for its operation, except that such rules
shall include the following:
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(1 )
Board Chairperson. The chairperson of the board shall be a member of
the board elected annually by a majority of the board.
(2)
Secretary of the board. The building official, or designee, shall be
secretary of the board. The secretary shall arrange for meetings and
prepare and keep such minutes and records and perform such other
clerical work as the board may direct.
(3)
Quorum. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. The concurring
vote of three (3) members of the board shall be necessary to pass any
motion.
Service until appointment of successor. Upon completion of the term of
office, members of the building code board shall continue to serve in their
full capacity until their successor has been duly appointed.
Meetings. The building code board shall meet upon call of the
chairperson, secretary or city manager. Members of the building code
board shall attend at least two-thirds of all scheduled meetings within a
twelve-month period. If any member does not attend such prescribed
number of meetings, it shall constitute grounds for the board to
recommend to the city council that said member be replaced.
Attendance. The attendance of all members shall be entered on the
minutes by the secretary.
Conformity with open meetings law. All meetings shall be held in
conformance with provisions of the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
Minutes. The building code board shall file with the city council a copy of the
minutes of each meeting of the board within ten (10) working days after
such meeting.
(9)
Administrative policies. All administrative, personnel, accounting,
budgetary, and procedural policies of the city shall govern the building
code board in all of its operations.
(10)
Duties when serving as an appeals board. Any person who is aggrieved
by a decision of the building official on any requirements resulting from the
enforcement of the building code, may appeal from such decision to the
building code board and said board shall serve as an appeal board. In
case the aggrieved party is a member of said board, said member shall be
disqualified as a member of the board acting as an appeal board, until the
person aggrieved has been heard and a decision rendered.
The appeal shall be made by the person aggrieved, giving written notice
of such appeal to the building official within seven (7) days of receipt of
decision from which the appeal is taken. The building code board sitting
as an appeal board shall meet within ten (10) working days after receiving
such notice and render a decision within five (5) working days thereafter.
Any interested party, including the building official, shall have the right to
present their case to the appeal board, whose decision shall be final
unless appealed to the district court as provided by law.
The board of appeals may reverse or modify a decision of the building
official only on finding that:
a.
The building official had incorrectly interpreted the provision of this
code;
b.
The decision of the building official creates an unnecessary
hardship upon the appellant.
The board of appeals shall require that sufficient evidence or proof be
submitted to substantiate any claims made regarding the use of
alternates.
All appeal hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures
specified in this code.
(e) Limitations of Authority. The Board of Appeals shall have no authority
relative to interpretation of the administrative provisions of this code nor shall the Board
be empowered to waive requirements of this code.
In so modifying or reversing such decision of the building official, the board of
appeals may authorize any alternate to the decision of the building official and the
provisions, provided it finds the proposed material or method of construction is
satisfactory for the use intended and complies with the provisions of this code, and that
the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to
that prescribed by this code in suitability, strength, effectiveness, durability, fire
resistance and safety.
Sec. 103 Section 103, "Violations" is hereby amended by repealing such section
and replacing such section with a new section in lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 103 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 Chapter 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. 106 Section 106, "Permits," is hereby amended by repealing subsection
106.2 and replacing such subsection with a new subsection in lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 106.2 Exempted Work. A building permit shall not be required for the
following:
.
6.
7.
8.
9.
. 10.
11.
1.
One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds,
playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed one
hundred fifty (150) square feet.
2.
Fences.
3.
Oil derricks.
4.
Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five (5) feet nine (9)
inches high.
5.
Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the
bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not
exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or
width does not exceed two to one (2:1).
Platforms, walks and driveways not more than thirty (30) inches above
grade and not over any basement or story below.
Painting, papering and similar finish work.
Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and
Group U occupancies when projecting not more than fifty-four (54) inches.
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3
occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade
.
.
.
and if the capacity does not exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons.
Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical
permits will be required for the above exempted items.
Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to
grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of this code or
any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Sec. 106.4 Section 106.4, "Permits Issuance," is hereby amended by repealing
subsection 106.4.1, "Issuance," and replacing such subsection with a new subsection in
lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 106.4.1 Issuance. The application, plans and specifications and other data,
filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans
may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with any
applicable laws under this jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work
described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data
filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and other pertinent laws and
ordinances, and that the fees specified in Section 107 have been paid, he shall issue a
permit therefor to the applicant.
Exception: Approval of the application, plans and specifications, and other data,
filed by an applicant for a permit shall in no way constitute an approval of the structural
sufficiency of any building or structure and it is incumbent upon the applicant and/or
owner to seek independent review of the building plans in order to insure adequate
building integrity and structural sufficiency.
When the building official issues the permit where plans are required, he shall
endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications "APPROVED." Such approved
plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorization
from the building official, and all work regulated by this code shall be done in
accordance with the approved plans.
The building official may issue a permit for the construction of part of a building
or structure before the entire plans and specifications for the whole building or structure
have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed
statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code. The
holder of such permit shall proceed at his own risk without assurance that the permit for
the entire building or structure will be granted.
Sec. 107 Section 107, "Fees," hereby is amended by repealing subsection
107.2, "Permit Fees," and subsection 107.3, "Plan Review Fees," and replacing such
subsections with new subsections in lieu thereof as follows:
107.2 Permit Fees. The fee for each permit shall be as set forth in Table No.
1-A. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this code
shall be made by the building official. The value to be used in computing the building
permit fee for new construction shall be the cost of all building materials and the usual
cost of labor whether such labor is performed by the owners or others. Such valuation
may exclude the cost of the lot or improvements to the lot such as grading, landscaping,
walks or drives, and/or the cost of the air conditioning, electrical, heating, plumbing or
ventilation systems, for which separate inspection fees are charged; however, the
approximate value of these items shall be shown on the permit in the space provided
for that purpose.
.
The valuations for alterations, repairs, replacement or remodeling shall include
the cost of materials and the usual cost of labor, whether such labor is performed by the
owner or by others, for the installation or construction of any repair, replacement or
remodeling which becomes an integral part of the building or structure.
The payment of fees under this section of the code shall not relieve the
applicant, permit holder or other persons from the payment of any other fee or fees that
may be prescribed by this code, by law or by ordinance. No fee shall be required for
buildings owned and used exclusively by the city.
107.3 Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted
by subsection 106.3.2 of this code, a plan review fee shall be due and payable prior to
the issuance of a permit. Such plan review fee shall be as set forth in Table No.1-A.
The plan review fees specified in this subsection are separate fees from the
permit fees specified in Section 107.2 and are in addition to the permit fees.
When plans are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review,
an additional plan review fee shall be charged as set forth in Table No.1-A.
.
Table No. 1-A - BUILDING PERMIT FEES
1. Permit Issuance Fee for each permit: $5.00
2. Valuation Fee Schedule (in addition to permit issuance fee)
$1.00 to $500.00
$501.00 to $2,000.00
$2,001.00 to $25,000.00
$25,001.00 to $50,000.00
$50,001.00 to $100,000.00
.
$100,001.00 and up
$10.00
$10.00 for the first $500.00, plus
$1.60 for each additional $100.00
or fraction thereof, to and includ-
ing $2,000.00.
$34.00 for the first $2,000.00, plus
$6.40 for each additional $1,000.00
or fraction thereof, to and includ-
ing $25,000.00.
$181.20 for the first $25,000.00,
plus $4.80 for each additional
$1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to
and including $50,000.00.
$301.20 for the first $50,000.00,
plus $3.20 for each additional
$1000.00 or fraction thereof, to
and including $100,000.00.
$461.20 for the first $100,000.00,
plus $2.70 for each additional
$1000.00 or fraction thereof.
.
.
.
Other Inspections and Fees
(1) Plan review fees when a plan is
required by section 302(b) of the
code, per hour of review time............................$30.00'
(minimum of one-hour charge and
charged in 1/2-hour increments
beyond the first hour)
(2) Inspections outside of normal
business hours, per hour.................................$30.00'
(minimum charge of two (2) hours)
(3) Reinspection fee assessed under
provisions of Section 305(g), each.......................$30.00'
(4) Inspections for which no fee is
specifically indicated, per hour.........................$30.00'
(minimum charge of 1/2-hour)
(5) Additional plan review required
by changes, additions or revisions
to approved plans, per hour..............................$30.00'
(minimum charge of 1/2-hour)
Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is the greatest. This cost
shall include outside plan review expense, supervision, overhead, equipment,
hourly wages and fringe benefits of the employees involved.
Sec. 310. Section 310, "Requirements for Group R Occupancies" is hereby
amended by repealing subsection 310.4 "Access and Means of Egress Facilities and
Emergency Escapes" and replacing such section with a new subsection in lieu thereof
as follows:
Sec. 310 Requirements For Group R Occupancies
Section 310.4 Access and Means of Egress Facilities and Emergency Escapes.
Means of egress shall be provided as specified in Chapter 10. (See also Section
1007.6.2 for exit markings.)
Access to, and egress from, buildings required to be accessible shall be provided
as specified in Chapter 11.
Basements in dwelling units and every sleeping room below the fourth story shall
have at least one operable window or door approved for emergency escape or rescue
that shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or exit court. The
emergency door or window shall be operable from the inside to provide a full, clear
opening without the use of separate tools.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. The window or door may open into an atrium complying with
.
Section 402 provided the window or door opens onto an exit-access balcony and
the dwelling unit or guest room has an exit or exit-access doorway that does not
open into the atrium.
2. Basements within Group R, Division 3 Occupancies without bedrooms
that provide a second stairway that terminates in a room separate from the first
stairway.
.
Escape or rescue windows shall have a minimum net clear openable area of 5.7
square feet (0.53 m2). The minimum net clear openable height dimension shall be 24
inches (610 mm). The minimum net clear openable width dimension shall be 20 inches
(508 mm). When windows are provided as a means of escape or rescue, they shall
have a finished sill height not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor.
EXCEPTION: 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:
1. 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.
2. A platform capable of supporting a live load 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.
3. The escape or rescue window shall have a minimum clear openable area of
9 square feet (0.84 m2), with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm).
4. The building is equipped with smoke detectors installed in accordance with
Section 310.9.
Escape and rescue windows with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground
elevation shall have a window well. Window wells at escape or egress windows shall
comply with the following:
1. The clear horizontal dimensions shall allow the window to be fully opened
and provide a minimum accessible net clear opening of 9 square feet (0.84
m2), with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm).
2. Window wells with a vertical depth of more than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall
be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or stairs that are
accessible with the window in the fully open position. The ladder or stairs
shall not encroach into the required dimensions of the window well by more
than 6 inches (152 mm).
.
Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices may be installed on emergency escape or
rescue windows, doors or window wells, provided:
1. The devices are equipped with approved release mechanisms that are
openable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or
effort; and
2. The building is equipped with smoke detectors installed in accordance with
Section 310.9.
Sec. 509. Section 509, "Guardrails" is hereby amended by repealing subsection
509.3 "Openings" and replacing such section with a new subsection in lieu thereof as
follows:
Sec. 509 Guardrails
.
Section 509.3 Openings. Open guardrails shall have intermediate rails or an
ornamental pattern such that a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter cannot pass
through.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. The open space between the intermediate rails or ornamental
pattern of guardrails in areas of commercial and industrial-type occupancies
which are not accessible to the public may be such that a sphere 12 inches (305
mm) in diameter cannot pass through.
2. The triangular openings formed by the riser, tread and bottom element of a
guardrail at the open side of a stairway may be of such size that a sphere 6
inches (152 mm) in diameter cannot pass through.
3. The measurement within Group R, Division 3 Occupancies and within
individual units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies shall be made at 18
inches (462 mm) above the surface of the stair tread.
For guardrail requirements at grandstands, bleachers or other elevated seating
facilities, see Section 1008.5.7.
Sec. 1003. Section 1003, "General" is hereby amended by repealing subsection
1003.3.3.6 "Handrails" and replacing such section with a new subsection in lieu thereof
as follows:
.
Sec. 1003 General
Section 1003.3.3.6 Handrails. Stairways shall have handrails on each side, and
every stairway required to be more than 88 inches (2235 mm) in width shall be
provided with not less than one intermediate handrail for each 88 inches (2235
mm) of required width. Intermediate handrails shall be spaced approximately
equally across with the entire width of the stairway.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Stairways less than 44 inches (1118 mm) in width or
stairways serving one individual dwelling unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3
Occupancy or a Group R, Division 3 congregate residence may have one
handrail.
2. Private stairways 30 inches (762 mm) or less in height may have a
handrail on one side only.
3. Stairways having less than 4 risers and serving one individual dwelling
unit in Group R, Division 1 or 3, or a Group R Division 3 congregate
residence or Group U Occupancies need not have handrails.
.
The top of handrails and handrail extensions shall not be placed less than 34
inches (864 mm) nor more than 38 inches (965 mm) above landings and the
nosing of treads. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs and at
least one handrail shall extend in the direction of the stair run not less than 12
inches (305 mm) beyond the top riser nor less than 12 inches (305 mm) beyond
the bottom riser. Ends shall be returned or shall have rounded terminations or
bends.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Private stairways do not require handrail extensions.
.
2. Handrails may have starting or volute newels within the first tread on
stairways in Group R, Division 3 Occupancies and within individual
dwelling units of Group R, Division 1 Occupancies.
3. Top rails may be interrupted by newel posts or walls in Group R,
Division 3 Occupancies and within individual dwelling units of Group R,
Division 1 Occupancies.
The handgrip portion of handrails shall not be less than 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) nor
more than 2 inches (51 mm) in cross-sectional dimension or the shape shall provide an
equivalent gripping surface. The handgrip portion of handrails shall have a smooth
surface with no sharp corners. Handrails projecting from a wall shall have a space of
not less than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrail.
Sec. 1203. Section 1203, "Light, Ventilation in Group R Occupancies" is hereby
amended by repealing subsection 1203.2 "Light" and replacing such section with a new
subsection in lieu thereof as follows:
Sec. 1203 Light, Ventilation in Group R Occupancies
Sec. 1203.2 Light. Guest rooms and habitable rooms within a dwelling unit or
congregate residence shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed
openings with an area not less than one tenth of the floor area of such rooms with a
minimum of 10 square feet.
.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. In detached one and two family dwellings, all habitable rooms shall be
provided natural light by means of exterior glazed openings with an aggregate
glazed area of not less than eight (8) percent of the floor area of such rooms.
2. Kitchens in Group R Occupancies may be provided with artificial light.
Sec. 1806. Section 1806, "Footings" is hereby amended by repealing subsection
1806.3 "Bearing Walls" and replacing such section with a new subsection in lieu thereof
as follows:
Sec. 1806 Footings
Sec. 1806.3 Bearing Walls. Bearing walls shall be supported on masonry or
concrete foundations or piles or other approved foundation system that shall be of
sufficient size to support all loads. Where a design is not provided, the minimum
foundation requirements for stud bearing walls shall be as set forth in Table 18-I-C,
unless expansive soils of a severity to cause differential movement are known to exist.
.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. A one-story wood- or metal-frame building not used for human
occupancy and not over 400 square feet (37.2 m2) in floor area may be
constructed with walls supported on a wood foundation plate when approved by
the building official.
2. The support of buildings by posts embedded in earth shall be designed as
specified in Section 1806.8. Wood posts or poles embedded in earth shall be
pressure treated with an approved preservative. Steel posts or poles shall be
.
.
.
"
protected as specified in Section 1807.9.
3. Group R, Division 3 Occupancies may use the following reinforcement
requirements 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.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and
publication as required by law.
Passed, approved and adopted this ~ day of
March
,2000.
Attest:
I .
</~//'A'/~.d~/-e'~/
~Jeanne Schneider
City Clerk
J
..
.
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 14, 2000
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Amending the City Buildings and Building Regulations (Building
Code) Ordinance
.
The City currently operates under the 1988 edition of the Uniform Building Code.
Building Services Manager Rich Russell and the Building Code Board of Appeals are
recommending adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code, with certain
amendments.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
(!lJJ~~M
Michael C. Van Milligen
---
MCVM/dd
Attachment
0
,. .
cc:
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
Rich Russell, Building Safety Manager
C'..
Ó'J
-:0
on
.~
\1
"."
.
,,- 9
Y" ="
CJ
CD
.c-
c.,.)
;iì
0
-"
.
.
.
,"
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
March 13,2000
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Rich Russell, Building Services Manager~
RE: Amending the City Buildings and Building Regulations (Building Code) Ordinance
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this memo is to recommend the amending of the City
Ordinance by adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code published by the International
Conference of Building Officials and also recommend the adoption of several amendments
recommended by the Building Code Board of Appeals.
BACKGROUND:
1. The City of Dubuque adopted the 1988 edition of the Uniform Building Code on May
21, 1990 by the approval of City Ordinance 44-90.
2. The Building Code Board of Appeals met three times over the past four months to
discuss the adoption of the 1997 UBC and appropriate amendments thereto.
3. The amendments recommended by the Building Code Board of Appeals and staff are
as follows:
A. The amendments through and including the fee information are consistent
with amendments the City of Dubuque adopted during the adoption of the 1988
Uniform Building Code. It should be noted that the fees would not be increasing
as a result of the 1997 Uniform Building Code being adopted. The Board of
Appeals was advised that the fee schedule was remaining at the current level.
B. Section 310.4 is being amended to allow for an additional method of
providing an additional exit from basements within single family dwellings. The
additional method will be to provide a second stairway to the first floor. This
motion passed unanimously.
C. Section 310.4 is also being amended to allow for a platform to be built
below egress windows so that the maximum sill height is measured from the
platform instead of the floor. This option would be available in single family
dwellings and within individual dwelling units in apartments, etc. This motion
passed 3-1.
D. Section 509 is being amended to provide for a specific point of
measurement between spindles in a guardrail. That height is proposed to be 18".
This would permit the use of spindles that are smaller near the top without
compromising the appearance of the railing. This motion passed unanimously.
E. Section 1003.3.3.6 is being amended to permit newel posts and walls to
interrupt the continuity of the top railing of handrails. This motion passed
unanimously.
.
.
.
" -
F. Section 1203.2 is being amended so that it is consistent with an
amendment to the 1988 Uniform Building Code. It was not discussed with the
Board, but staff supports it. The amendment reduces the natural light requirement
in residential occupancies, so I'm confident the Board would support it.
G. Section 1806 is being amended to permit an additional method of
reinforcing concrete foundation walls in residential occupancies. This amendment
passed unanimously.
H. The Board unanimously recommended adoption of the 1997 Uniform
Building Code with the amendments listed in Items B-G, despite the no vote on
Item C.
DISCUSSION: The adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code will allow general
contractors, architects, system designers and Building Services staff members to use an up to
date building code. The adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code will have a significant,
positive impact on the ISO rating of the City of Dubuque's Building Services Department.
The adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code was a major part of my presentation to the
local homebuilder's association at their February 1,2000 meeting. The 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.
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend the 1997 Uniform Building Code be adopted and that
the amendments listed in Item 2 in the Background section of this memo be adopted as well.
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
ACTION REQUIRED: The desired option step would be for the City Manager to recommend
to the City Council adoption of the 1997 Uniform Building Code with the amendments listed in
Item 2 of the Background section of this memo.
. '
.
.
.
~~éL:l4¿O * 7/J-()