SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 14,447

AN ORDINANCE to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, 2000, adopted by Ordinance No. 13,827, passed June 5, 2000, by repealing Articles I, II, III, V, VII, and VIII of Chapter 26, Buildings & Building Regulations thereof and adding and enacting new Article I--In General, Article II--Building Code, Article III--Electrical Code, and Article IV--Mechanical Code to Chapter 26, Buildings and Building Regulations.

The full text of Ordinance No. 14,447 is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk at City Hall, and may be viewed on-line at the City of Des Moines web page.

Ordinance No. 14,447 amends Chapter 26 of the Des Moines Municipal Code and the referenced model construction codes contained therein to the most recent editions of those model codes.  This includes the 2003 International Building Code; the 2003 International Residential Code; the 2003 International Existing Buildings Codes; the 2005 National Electric Code; the 2003 International Mechanical Code, and the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code. The content of each of the amended Articles of Chapter 26 are individually addressed below.

Article I incorporates general provisions common to each of the construction codes.  The provisions establish and provide rules of conduct for the Permit and Development Center, the Board of Licenses and Appeals, and authority of the Building Official.  These provisions remain substantially the same, although organizational and editorial changes have been incorporated. 

Article II adopts by reference the 2003 International Building Code, portions of the 2003 International Residential Code (except for the plumbing provisions contained therein), and the 2003 International Existing Building Code.  These documents are the successor documents to those formerly adopted.  Amendments made unnecessary by changes in the new code have been eliminated.  Amendments that have been developed in coordination with our surrounding communities have been retained or added, such as those for standardized residential foundations, residential stair provisions accommodating floor finishes, handrail continuity, location on property, and residential ice protection at roofs.  Applicability of the Existing Building Code includes expansion to include buildings 50 years or older.  Demolition of buildings, obstruction permits, and administrative permitting provisions remain unchanged. Swimming pool provisions, formerly in a separate article, have been relocated to Article II.  Provisions regarding unsafe buildings have been standardized to coincide with the organization of the Neighborhood Inspection Division, and will be referred to the Board of Health.

Article III adopts by reference the 2005 National Electric Code.  This is the successor document to the code formerly adopted.  New amendments include exemption from permits on specific low voltage systems, and exemption of provisions for certain specific dedicated branch circuits.  Provisions regarding licensure of contractors have been standardized.

Article IV adopts by reference the 2003 International Mechanical Code and the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code.  Amendments include expansion of the valuation of maintenance work without permit from $50 to $100.  Provisions regarding licensure of mechanical contractors have been standardized.  Provisions regarding steam and power generating equipment remain unchanged, but have been relocated to Article IV.

FORM APPROVED:

Roger K. Brown, Assistant City Attorney

T.M. Franklin Cownie, Mayor

Attest:

I, Jody Witmer, Chief Deputy City Clerk of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of an ordinance (Roll Call No. 05-1305), passed by the City Council of said City at a meeting held May 23, 2005 signed by the Mayor on May 23, 2005 and a summary was published as provided by law in the Business Record on June 13, 2005 Authorized by Publication Order No.4805.

Jody Witmer, Chief Deputy City Clerk