A. Walls:
1. Composition: No building or structure of any kind or description shall be erected or constructed within the fire limits, unless the outside and party walls thereof shall be composed of brick, stone, iron or other incombustible material. (1944 Code § 315)
2. Thickness: (Rep. by motion passed 4-11-2002)
3. Other Specifications: No cornice of wood shall be placed on any building, and all wooden joists, beams or other timbers in party walls shall be separated at least four inches (4") from each other with stone or brick laid in mortar, and all wooden lintels or plate pieces in the front, rear or side walls shall recede from the outside of the wall at least two inches (2"), or when they shall not recede, they shall be covered with fireproof material. (1944 Code § 315; amd. motion passed 4-11-2002)
B. Outside Covering Of Buildings: It shall be unlawful for any person to cover or recover any building now erected or hereafter erected within the fire limits with any shingles, boards, planks or other combustible material whatever; but all such buildings shall, in all cases, be covered with metal, tile, slate or some other equally good fireproof material; provided, that the city council may, for good and sufficient reason shown, grant a permit to any person applying therefor, to cover or recover any building in the fire limits, with shingles or other material. (1944 Code § 316)
C. Repair Or Moving Of Buildings: No wooden building or any part of any wooden building within the fire limits shall be raised, enlarged or repaired, except that those buildings used exclusively for private dwelling houses may be repaired, subject to the provisions of subsection B of this section, but shall not be raised or enlarged nor shall any such wooden building or part of such wooden building within the fire limits be removed to any other place within the same.
D. Repairing Buildings Contrary To Chapter: Any owner, builder or other person who shall own, build or aid in the erection of any building within the fire limits, contrary to, or in any other manner than authorized by the provisions of this chapter, or who shall own, remove or assist in repairing any damaged or wooden building contrary in either case to any provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code for the first offense, and to a like fine for every forty eight (48) hours such person fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, or continue in the violation of the same. (1944 Code § 320; amd. 1997 Code)
E. Sheds: Sheds not exceeding twelve feet (12') in height at the peak or highest part thereof may be constructed of wood; provided, that the term "shed" be so construed as to mean a structure with the roof sloping one way and with one or more sides of such structure entirely open. (1944 Code § 317)
F. Foundations; Footings:
1. a. All foundation grades shall be established in a manner as to achieve the free, natural and unobstructed flow of surface water.
b. The director of public works shall from time to time promulgate detailed rules, not inconsistent with this subsection, for the purpose of determining foundation grades.
c. Every application for a building permit shall show the foundation grade and set forth a grading plan for the proposed construction, determined in accordance with this subsection and rules established thereto. No building permit shall be issued unless such foundation grade and grading plan is in accordance with the provisions of this subsection and rules issued under this subsection.
2. A single-story dwelling shall meet the following requirements:
a. Footings shall be poured concrete no less than three feet (3') belowground, no less than two feet (2') wide, no less than six inches (6") thick.
b. Foundation walls shall be no less than eight inch (8") block or eight inch (8") poured concrete and at least one foot (1') above grade.
3. For any building more than one story, a structural engineer should be consulted prior to commencement of any construction.
4. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation. (Ord. 2004-12, 8-2-2004)