(A) Limits. The fire limits of the city are defined as follows: that portion of Blue Island bounded on the north by the city limits, on the west by the centerline of Greenwood Avenue and Greenwood Avenue if extended to the south as far as the centerline of 135th Street, and south on the centerline of 135th Street by a line 400 feet west of and parallel to the centerline of Western Avenue; on the south by the city limits, on the east by a line of 400 feet east of and parallel to the centerline of Western Avenue as far north as the centerline of 135th Street and north of the centerline of 135th Street by the centerline of Rexford Street and of Rexford Street if extended to the centerline of Vermont Street and by the centerline of Gregory Street north of the centerline of Vermont Street and the centerline of Gregory Street if extended, also that portion of Blue Island bounded on the west by the centerline of Greenwood Avenue, on the east by the city limits and on the north and south by lines drawn on each side of, running parallel to and 130 feet distant from the centerline of Vermont Street and that part of the city which is bounded on the east by California Avenue, on the north by 139th Street, on the northwest by Coopers Grove Road, on the west by Kedzie Avenue and on the south by the city limits.
(B) New construction.
(1) All materials used for exterior wall construction of any building or structure hereinafter erected within the fire limits shall be of masonry. However, frame construction shall be allowed in all residence districts for garages or other accessory buildings which are designed and intended as an accessory use, but not for residential occupancy.
(2) All materials used for interior wall, ceiling and floor construction of all buildings or structures hereinafter erected within the fire limits, including garages and accessory buildings, shall be of fire-resistive materials with a fire rating of not less than two-hours in accordance with the current standards established by the American Insurance Association or its successors.
(3) All buildings or structures hereinafter erected within the fire limits, including garages and accessory buildings, shall comply with all other applicable city zoning, building or other ordinances or applicable state law.
(C) Existing buildings or structures.
(1) In a district zoned residential within the fire limits, an existing wood frame building may be enlarged by a frame addition not to exceed 200 square feet in area. However, the building may not be increased in height. A frame building in a district zoned commercial or industrial may not be enlarged unless the addition is built in accordance with the requirements of this section. The exterior walls of any addition to a brick or similar building in all zoning districts shall be constructed with the same material as the existing building or structure. However, any building used exclusively for residential purposes, the habitable portions of which are enclosed by exterior walls of brick or masonry, may have added an enclosed porch or an enclosure of an existing porch with the material or materials constituting the exterior walls of the enclosed porch of a fire-resistive material with a fire rating of not less than three-fourths of an hour in accordance with the current standards established by the American Insurance Association or its successors. A frame building in all zoning districts may be altered by the construction of exterior walls or the covering of the frame exterior walls with fire-resistive materials having a fire rating of not less than two hours in accordance with the current standards established by the American Insurance Association or its successors.
(2) All materials used for interior wall, ceiling and floor construction in altering, enlarging or repairing an existing building or structure within the fire limits, including garages and accessory buildings, shall be of fire-resistive materials with a fire rating of not less than two hours in accordance with the current standards.
(3) A frame building within the fire limits which is damaged by fire to an extent greater than 50% of its value shall not be repaired or rebuilt.
(D) Wooden frames. No building or structure of wood frame or other combustible construction shall be moved from without to within the fire limits, or from one lot to another lot therein.
(Prior Code, § 150.001) (Ord. 1837, passed 7-13-1959; Ord. 2120, passed 2-23-1970; Ord. 2134, passed 9-28-1970; Ord. 2293, passed 11-25-1975) Penalty, see § 150.999