ICC Code Adoption
The City of O’Fallon has adopted the 2003 International Code Council (ICC) family of building codes. An ordinance was recently passed by the City Council adopting the 2003 International Residential Code, Building Code, Fire Prevention Code, Property Maintenance Code, Existing Building Code, Fuel Gas Code and the 2002 National Electric Code. These are the codes used in the design and construction of new buildings. The property maintenance code is used to administer and enforce the City’s Occupancy Permit Program on all residential and commercial properties.
For many years the City has used the BOCA Building Codes, but in 2003 BOCA merged with the two other national code organizations, SBCCI and UBC, to form one standard building code throughout the country. The ICC Codes have been widely adopted throughout the United States and internationally. The standardizing of these codes nationwide will have a positive effect on the design and code enforcement aspect of all new construction. These model codes, as with BOCA, are a government consensus process with the final vote on development and code changes being made by public building and fire officials from local communities across the country. This is only done after a two step hearing procedure that benefit from the expertise of code officials, industry representatives, and technical
experts who sit on committees and hear testimony. Their recommendations are then sent to the ICC code official members for ratification and a final vote.
There have not been any major or significant changes in the ICC Codes from the BOCA Codes we were previously under. As with previous codes, they are constantly evolving through recommended code changes intended to fulfill the purpose of the codes, which is “to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare, through affordability, structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, light, and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.” This code adoption ordinance is similar to the previous ordinance in that certain language changes have been made to make the ordinance compatible with local and state law. These include, but are not limited to, construction site
maintenance issues, definition changes, the appeal process, property maintenance/occupancy permit requirements, violation penalty provisions and organizational issues.
The adopting ordinance includes some local amendments aimed at improving the building inspection sections efficiency, streamlining the inspection process and tightening controls of construction sites. Some of these changes are as follows:
· Property maintenance inspections are required if re-occupied after 2 years as opposed to 1 year as currently required
· Eliminating the need for occupancy inspections on new homes if re-occupied in less than 3 years (also currently 1 year)
· All construction sites will be required to provide toilet facilities on site, dumpsters on site, and rock access roads or drives to minimize mud on the streets
· Several changes in commercial occupancy inspections that will ensure that:
-Handicap accessible parking requirements are maintained
-Verification that elevator inspections have been performed
The changes in the time intervals for property maintenance/occupancy inspections will make it easier for property owners and rental managers, while still maintaining safe and well- kept property within the City. The construction site requirements are intended to keep all construction sites clean, sanitary, and to have a minimal amount of impact on surrounding property owners during the construction phase.
The ICC Codes are being widely recognized as a comprehensive and user friendly set of codes. We feel that with their adoption, the administration and implementation will be easier for our staff, builders and design professionals, and make our built environment safer. In addition, our local amendments will address some local issues that ultimately will make for a better O’Fallon.
Copies of the ICC Codes are available at the City Clerk’s Office and the O’Fallon Public Library. If you have any questions regarding the code adoption or any changes, please call the Planning and Zoning Department at 624-4500, extension 4.
Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council
Lisa Reime, AICP, Planner in the Planning & Zoning Department, has been appointed by the Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2005.
The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council evaluates properties in regard to the criteria established for the National Register of Historic Places and votes whether or not to advise nomination of a property. The Department of Interior in Washington, D.C. makes the final decision regarding the National Register listing. Council members represent both academic and advocate positions in the fields of history, archaeology, architectural history and related fields.
| 
