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Item # 4.c.

City Council (FY24)

Meeting Date:	04/23/2024
Department:	Development Services
Key Focus Areas:	Public Safety

AGENDA CAPTION:

Consider action on an Ordinance amending Chapter 18 Article II "Building Code" of the Addison Code of Ordinances, adopting the 2024 edition of the International Building Code with amendments.

BACKGROUND:

The Town regulates the construction, alteration, occupancy and maintenance of buildings through the adoption and enforcement of a series of codes. The Town currently operates under the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code. These codes regulate commercial and residential structures, including elements pertaining to fire protection, plumbing, mechanical and electrical. New versions of these codes are released every three years to account for issues that arise between code cycles, new construction methods, and to clarify existing regulations. Staff is proposing that the Town adopt the 2024 ICC Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Many of the regulations contained in the Building Code are also contained in the Fire Code. Other requirements in the Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fuel Gas Codes also affect the regulations of the Fire Code; therefore, it is important that when these codes are updated, that all updates are done at the same time to reduce the possibility of conflicts between the codes. These codes are codified in Chapter 18 of the Town's Code of Ordinances, while the Property Maintenance Code is codified in Chapter 34 and the Fire Code is codified in Chapter 38. This item specifically adopts the 2024 edition of the International Building Code with local amendments under Article II of Chapter 18. Local amendments are intended to fine tune the code to Addison. In most cases, local amendments are developed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments for consideration by each community. The changes from the 2018 Building Code to the 2024 Building Code are highly technical construction standards related to structure strength, means of egress, adequate lighting and ventilation, accessibility, energy conservation and life safety related to new and existing buildings and other structures.Additionally, an existing local amendment relating to requirements for fire suppression systems in buildings is being maintained.

The new code provisions would be effective June 1, 2024, to allow staff time to communicate with the development community about the updated code.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval.

Attachments
Ordinance - 2024 International Building Code