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Discuss moving forward with the adoption of the 2018 International Code Council codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code as amended by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC) and direct staff as necessary.
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INITIATOR: Charlotte Brown, Community Services Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Charlotte Brown, Community Services Director
Heath Want, Fire Marshal
BACKGROUND: On March 9, 2021, Council approved the adoption of the 2015 International Codes (ICC) for Commercial properties and the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). The International Residential Code (IRC) that is currently adopted by the City of Lawton is the 2009 version. Staff tried to bring the 2015 IRC for approval by City Council on 1/26/2021 when the Commercial codes were presented and Council chose not to approve the new codes at that time.
One of the biggest concerns back in 2021 that the home builders had was the requirement to meet the energy efficiency requirements of the 2015. With the adoption of the 2018 IRC by the OUBCC, the certificate required by the energy efficiency part of the code was moved to a new Appendix and not adopted by the OUBCC therefore staff's recommendation would be that Lawton does not adopt most of the Appendices including Appendix X in the 2018 IRC. Another concern from the home builders was in the increase in cost for a new construction single family dwelling. With the rise of materials after COVID, there will indeed be a cost increase, but typically this cost is passed onto the potential home owner.
In 2009 the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC) was created by the Oklahoma legislature. Since then, the OUBCC has continued to review and adopt Building Codes and amend them as they see fit. The State Statutes (Title 59, Chapter 26A) states that the minimum codes are those that are adopted and/or amended by the OUBCC. The 2018 ICC Commercial Codes...
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