AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a staff presentation regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Code Council (ICC) Family of Codes, the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC), and amendments to Chapter 14 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and Chapter 38 (Fire Prevention and Protection) of the City Code of Ordinances and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: January 3, 2023
Department: Planning and Development Services & San Marcos Fire Department
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Background Information:
Codes are updated, nationwide, on a three-year basis, through an ongoing development process, involving a wide variety of industry professionals. The City typically adopts the International Code Council (ICC) Family of Codes and National Electric Code (NEC) every other code cycle, about every 6 years. The last codes adopted were the 2015 ICC Family of Codes, the 2014 NEC, and associated local City Code amendments in chapter 14 and 38. It is important to review updated editions of these Codes as they are adopted and to update the local amendments accordingly, where needed.
This worksession presentation will summarize the upcoming staff recommendations which include:
• Adoption of the 2021 ICC Family of Codes: International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC) and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC).
• Adoption of the 2020 NEC.
• Adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), including appendices B, D, E, F, G, and L.
• Adoption of local City Code of Ordinance amendments for Chapter 14 and 38.
The Fire Code, with local amendments provides a total approach to mitigating hazards in buildings and sites throughout the city, addressing areas such as fire prevention, fire protection, life safety, and the storage and use of hazardous materials and substances in new and existing facilities. Our Chapter 38 amendments are derived primarily from the North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Regional Codes Coordinating Committee (RCCC) <https://www.nctcog.org/envir/committees/regional-codes-coordinating-committee> and its five advisory boards which conducted multiple meetings to review the latest editions of the model codes and develop regional amendments. Their review and recommendations are endorsed by NCTCOG's Executive Board. NCTCOG encourages jurisdictions in North Central Texas to adopt the following model construction codes along with their respective regional amendments as expeditiously as their local code adoption process will allow. Since there is not a similar consortium in the Capital Area Council of Government’s (CAPCOG), we follow the NCTCOG recommendations.
Recommended amendments which may result in additional costs have been described in detail in the attached presentation for City Council’s consideration and direction. Following City Council direction on January 3, 2023 staff anticipates first reading of an Ordinance will occur on January 17, 2023.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
At this time, staff is seeking City Council direction.