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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 were adopted by the state on 9/14/2021. And on 9/14/2022 the 2018 IRC and the 2020 NEC were adopted.
Failure to adopt the currently adopted codes could result in the City of Lawton losing its designation as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ designation allows for the City to have its own Fire Marshal as an employee that is able to conduct plan reviews and fire inspections. Without the AHJ, the commercial plan reviews and fire inspections would be delegated to the State Fire Marshal’s office. Staff has been told that their plan reviews are at least 6-8 months out from time of submittal.
This could be very detrimental to the citizens of Lawton and will not allow the City to follow the True North Culture Statement or Council Policy 6-1 in which we are “Open for Business”.
By not adopting the current codes, the ISO rating will also go down which may cause increases to home insurances plans.
All 6 of our peer cities are currently under all of the 2018 ICC Codes and the 2020 NEC.
Staff did take the proposed 2018 Commercial Codes, the 2015 IRC and the 2017 NEC to the Building Development Appeals Board and they were on board with moving forward with the adoptions. This was prior to the 2018 IRC and the 2020 NEC codes being adopted by the OUBCC.
EXHIBIT: n/a
KEY ISSUES: Does Council wish to move forward with the adoption of the 2018 ICC Codes and the 2020 NEC?
FUNDING SOURCE: n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Direct Staff to bring back an ordinance to adopt the 2018 ICC Codes and the 2020 NEC.