§ 18-2. Purpose and scope of chapter; referenced codes.

(a)

Purpose. This chapter shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health and general welfare, insofar as they are affected by building construction, through structural strength, adequate means of egress facilities, stability, sanitary equipment, light and ventilation, energy conservation, erosion and sediment control and fire safety; and in general to promote safety to life and property from fire and other hazards incident to the construction, design, erection, installation, alteration, addition, removal, demolition, replacement, location, relocation, moving, quality of materials or use and occupancy, operation and maintenance of buildings, structures or premises, and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

The purpose of this chapter is not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms of this chapter.

(b)

Scope. This chapter provides the administrative and technical provisions to be followed by all persons engaged in the construction, design, erection, installation, alteration, addition, removal, demolition, replacement, location, relocation, land disturbance, moving, quality of materials, or use and occupancy, operation and maintenance of buildings, structures or premises, as regulated by this chapter. This chapter does not apply to public infrastructure or work in a public right-of-way except as expressly indicated herein. All references to any provisions in the administrative chapters of the referenced model codes shall be construed to be a reference to the provisions of article I.

(c)

Referenced codes. The other codes listed in sections (1) through (8) and referenced elsewhere in this chapter shall be considered part of the requirements of this chapter to the prescribed extent of each such reference. All references within the model codes to any building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, sewage disposal, elevator or energy conservation code shall be construed to be a reference to the respective building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, sewage disposal, elevator or energy conservation code specifically adopted by reference in articles II through XIV of this chapter.

(1)

Building. The provisions of the International Building Code, as amended, shall apply to the construction, design, erection, installation, alteration, addition, removal, demolition, replacement, location, maintenance, land disturbance, moving, quality of materials, or use and occupancy of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures. See article II of this chapter.

(2)

Electrical. The provisions of the National Electrical Code, as amended, shall apply to the installation of electrical systems, including alterations, repairs, replacement, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances thereto. See article IV of this chapter.

(3)

Gas. The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code, as amended, shall apply to the installation of gas appliances and related accessories as covered in this code. These requirements apply to the installation and operation of residential and commercial gas appliances and related accessories. See article V of this chapter. For requirements regarding the installation of gas piping from the point of delivery to the inlet connections of appliances, see article VII, Uniform Plumbing Code.

(4)

Mechanical. The provisions of the International Mechanical Code, as amended, shall apply to the installation, alterations, repairs, and replacement of mechanical systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and/or appurtenances, including ventilating, heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators, and other energy-related systems. See article VI of this chapter.

(5)

Plumbing. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code, as amended, shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing and fuel gas piping systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. See article VII of this chapter. The provisions of the International Private Sewage Disposal Code, as amended, shall apply to private sewage disposal systems for one- and two-family dwellings only. See article VIII of this chapter.

(6)

Energy. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code, as amended, shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency. See article XIV of this chapter.

Exceptions:

a.

Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the International Residential Code, as amended. See article III of this chapter.

b.

Existing buildings and structures undergoing repair, alterations, additions or change of occupancy shall be permitted to comply with the International Existing Building Code, as amended. See article XIII of this chapter.

(d)

Process. The building official shall have the responsibility to make timely recommendations to update this chapter, upon the publication of nationally recognized model codes. Technical committees shall be established to assist the building official in determining recommendations for the adoption of any model code.

(Ord. No. 040477, § 1, 8-12-04; Ord. 071193, § 1, 1-3-08; Ord. No. 120375, § 1, 5-24-12)