1305.05 MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION.

   (a)   New Work. No buildings or its equipment or appurtenances, to which the Ohio Building Code is applicable under Section 1305.03, shall be erected, constructed or installed, except in conformity with OBC.

   (b)   Change of Use. The use of a building shall not be changed, as defined in the Ohio Building Code, unless the building and the building service equipment therein conform to the requirements of OBC for buildings of the proposed new use group classification.

   (c)   Part Change of Use. Part change of use of a building shall be permitted if the portion of the building being changed is separated from the remainder of the structure with the required vertical and horizontal fire separation assemblies as required by the Ohio Building Code. All of the building and building service equipment serving the part that is changed in use shall be made to conform to the requirements for the new use and occupancy. The remainder of the structure shall not be less safe or sanitary as a result of the part change of use.

   (d)   Alterations or Repairs. Alterations or repairs may be made to any structure without requiring the existing structure to comply with all the requirements of OBC, provided the alteration or repair conforms to that required of a new structure; however, if the structure is increased in floor area or number of stories, the entire structure shall be made to conform with the requirements of OBC in respect to means of egress, fire protection, light and ventilation.

   (e)   Maintenance. Buildings and building service equipment shall be maintained so as to comply with OBC, except that when a serious hazard does not exist, no change in construction and no additional facilities are required except as may be made necessary by a change of use under subsections (b) or (c) hereof.

   (f)   Minor Repairs. Minor repairs to structures may be made without application or notice to the Building Official, but such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements; nor shall minor repairs include drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.

   (g)   Rehabilitation. Existing buildings or structures which are to be rehabilitated must comply with the provisions of Ohio Building Code, Chapter 34, Existing Structures.

   (h)   Special Rules for Certain Existing Uses. Existing apartment and condominium buildings, nursing and rest homes, and child day-care centers shall also be made to comply with applicable provisions of Chapters 4101:2-89, 4101:2-90 and 4101:2-91 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
(Ord. 2003-058. Passed 6-9-03.)