§ 5-1. Codes adopted.

(a)

There are hereby adopted for the purpose of regulating the construction, alterations, repair, equipment, use and occupancy and maintenance of every building or structure or any appurtenance connected or attached to such buildings or structures, excluding farm structures and recreational camps, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, incorporated here fully as if set out at length herein, which provisions shall be controlling within the corporate limits of the city. The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code shall consist of the following:

(1)

The current edition of International Building Code (IBC), not including Chapter 1, Administration, Chapter 11, Accessibility, Chapter 27, Electrical and Chapter 29, Plumbing Systems. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. Furthermore, IBC shall be amended as follows and shall only apply to the International Building Code:

i.

Amend Chapter 10, Section 1018.1 Construction., Exceptions: Add the following Exception Number 5:

5.

A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy Group B with an occupant load greater than 30 if the corridor serves a single tenant and meets the IBC definition of aisle.

ii.

Amend Chapter 23, Section 2308.2, Limitations, Exceptions 4 as follows: Wind speeds shall not exceed 110 miles per hour (mph) (48.4m/s) (3-second gust) for buildings in Exposure Category B.

(2)

The current edition of International Existing Building Code (IEBC), not including Chapter 1, Administration, and the standards referenced in that code for regulation of construction within this state.

(3)

The current edition of International Residential Code (IRC), not including Parts I-Administrative, V-Mechanical, VII-Plumbing and VIII-Electrical. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. The enforcement of such standards shall be mandatory only with respect to new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations. Appendix J, Existing Buildings and Structures, may be adopted and enforced only at the option of a parish, municipality, or regional planning commission. For purposes of this part, section R301.2.1.1 of the 2003 edition of the International Residential Code is hereby specifically adopted in lieu of the 2009 edition. Part IV-Energy Conservation of the latest edition of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to require that supply and return ducts be insulated to a minimum of R-6. Furthermore, IRC R301.2.1.1 (Design Criteria) shall be amended as follows and shall only apply to the International Residential Code:

i.

amendment of R301.2.1.1 (Design Criteria);

ii.

item 5, Concrete construction shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of the 2009 IRC;

iii.

item 6, the American Concrete Institute, Guide to Concrete Masonry Residential Construction in High Winds Areas, shall be added;

iv.

item 7, Institute for Business and Home Safety, Optional Code-plus Fortified for Safer Living, shall be added;

v.

item 8, Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Optional Code-plus Blueprint for Safety, shall be added;

vi.

item 9, International Code Council ICC Standards for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600), shall be added.

vii.

item 10, Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) wall shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of the 2009 IRC.

b.

Additionally, Section 302, R302.1 Exterior Walls shall be amended to add the following exception:

i.

On lots that are 50 feet or less in width and that contain a one or two family dwelling or townhouse that was in existence prior to October 1, 2005, the following are permitted for rebuilding:

(a)

a projection 2 feet from the property line with a 1 hour minimum fire-resistance rating on the underside.

(b)

a wall 3 feet or more from the property with a 0 hour minimum fire-resistance rating.

c.

Additionally, IRC shall be amended as follows and shall only apply to the International Residential Code.

i.

Substitute Chapter 3, Section R317 Dwelling Unit Separation of the 2006 IRC, in lieu of the Section 313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems of the 2009 IRC. In addition Chapter 3, Section R 302.2 Townhouses, of the 2009 IRC, is amended as follows: Exception: a common 2-hour fire-resistance-rated wall is permitted for townhouses if such walls do not contain plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents in the cavity of the common wall. Electrical installations shall be installed in accordance with Chapters 34 through 43. Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with Section R302.4. Furthermore Chapter 3 Section R302.2.4 Structural Independence, of the 2009 IRC, is amended as follows: Exceptions: Number 5 Townhouses separated by a common 2-hour fire-resistance-rated wall as provided in Section R302.2 Townhouses as amended above.

ii.

Amend Chapter 3, Section R315.2 Where required in existing dwellings. When Alterations, repairs or additions occur or where one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings that have attached garages or in existing dwellings within which fuel fired appliances exist, carbon monoxide alarms shall be provided in accordance with Section R315.1.

iii.

Substitute Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency of the 2006 IRC, in lieu of Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency of the 2009 IRC.

(4)

The current edition of International Mechanical Code (IMC), and the standards referenced in that code for regulation of construction within this state. Also included for regulation, the Louisiana One- and Two-Family Supplement to the 2006 International Mechanical Code. Furthermore, the International Mechanical Code, 2009 Edition, Chapter 1, Section 101.2 Scope is amended as follows: Exception: Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the Louisiana One- and Two-Family Supplement to the 2006 International Mechanical Code. Furthermore, IMC shall be amended to include the following:

i.

Amend Chapter 1, Section 103.2. The code official shall be appointed by the chief appointing authority of the jurisdiction; and the code official shall not be removed from office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before the appointing authority.

ii.

Amend Chapter 6, Section 606.4.1 Supervision. The duct smoke detectors shall be connected to a fire alarm system where a fire alarm system is required by Section 907.2 of the International Fire Code or locally adopted fire code. The actuation of a duct smoke detector shall activate a visible and audible supervisory signal at a constantly attended location.

(5)

The current edition of Louisiana State Plumbing Code [Part XIV (Plumbing) of the State Sanitary Code] as amended by the state health officer acting through the Office of Public Health of the Department of Health and Hospitals. Nothing in this Part shall be construed so as to prevent the state health officer from enforcing Part XIV (Plumbing) of the State Sanitary Code, the enforcement of which is his statutory and regulatory responsibility.

(6)

The current edition of International Fuel Gas Code (IFCG) and the standards referenced in that code for regulation of construction within this state.

(7)

The current edition of National Electrical Code.

(8)

The wind and flood mitigation requirements prescribed by the International Building Code and the International Residential Code as modified by R.S. 40:1730.28(A)(3).

(b)

All future revisions and amendments by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code to each of the codes referred to in subsection (a) hereof shall be automatically adopted by reference. A copy of the aforementioned codes shall be on file in the office of the building code enforcement officer and the director of revenue, regulatory codes and permits of the city. A copy of the codes shall be made available for viewing to all builders, contractors, movers and other interested persons upon request.

(Code 1957, §§ 5-1, 5-8, 6-14; Ord. No. 92-12, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 02-03, 3-5-02; Ord. No. 03-16, 12-16-03; Ord. No. 06-02, 2-21-06; Ord. No. 06-14, 12-5-06; Ord. No. 10-08, 7-20-10; Ord. No. 10-16, 12-21-10; Ord. No. 12-07, 12-4-12; Ord. No. 14-01, 2-4-14)

Charter reference

Authority of city to enact fire preventive regulations in the construction of buildings, § 3(18).