TITLE 8
BUILDING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 1
BUILDING CODES AND REGULATIONS
SECTION:
8-1-1: International Codes Adopted
8-1-2: Provision For Alternative Safety Procedures
8-1-3: Building Permit Fees
8-1-4: Modular Office Buildings
8-1-5: Violation; Penalty
8-1-1: INTERNATIONAL CODES ADOPTED:
The following nationally recognized codes are adopted as the official building codes of the city of Buhl:
   A.   International Building Code: The international building code, 2012 edition, prepared by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the state of Idaho or the Idaho building code board, together with any amendments or revisions to the international building code made by the Idaho building code board through the negotiated rulemaking process, is adopted.
   B.   International Residential Code: The international residential code, 2009 edition, prepared by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the state of Idaho or the Idaho building code board, together with any amendments or revisions to the international residential code made by the Idaho building code board through the negotiated rulemaking process, is adopted.
   C.   International Energy Conservation Code: The international energy conservation code, 2009 edition, prepared by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the state of Idaho or the Idaho building code board, together with any amendments or revisions to the international energy conservation code made by the Idaho building code board through the negotiated rulemaking process, is adopted.
   D.   International Existing Building Code: The international existing building code, 2012 edition, prepared by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the state of Idaho or the Idaho building code board, together with any amendments or revisions to the international existing building code made by the Idaho building code board through the negotiated rulemaking process, is adopted. (Ord. 974, 1-27-2014, eff. retroactive to 1-1-2014)
8-1-2: PROVISION FOR ALTERNATIVE SAFETY PROCEDURES:
   A.   Reservation Of Power: Notwithstanding any provisions of the city building codes to the contrary, the city council reserves the power to provide for alternate safety procedures or requirements in lieu of those required by said city building codes in cases where the occupancy of an existing building is changed from a use or occupancy that complied with the code to a use or occupancy where the newly required safety procedures present practical difficulties in strict compliance with the code.
   B.   Practical Difficulties: Practical difficulties can involve cost of the safety procedure compared to the value of the building; the nature of the previous use, and the new use to which the building is to be put; the degree of risk, or lack thereof, given the alternative safety procedures to be employed; whether the required safety procedure or procedures is not present in other buildings or structures of the same proposed occupancy; square footage of the building and its various occupancies; and any other factor deemed relevant by the council. Requirements which cannot be waived are those relating to exits, kitchen hoods and connected fire suppression systems.
   C.   Request For Review: In the event a new occupant believes that the interpretation of the building codes and/or its requirements by the city building inspector gave rise to practical difficulties of the type described above, the new occupant may request review of such requirements by the council, in which case, such new occupant shall not be required to appeal to the board of appeals created by the building codes. Such requests shall be filed directly with the city clerk-treasurer, and shall specify, at a minimum:
      1.   The location of the property in question;
      2.   The use to which the premises were previously put;
      3.   The use to which the occupant intends to put the property;
      4.   The requirement which the building inspector has determined should be applied;
      5.   An explanation as to why such requirement imposes practical difficulty; and
      6.   The alternative safety measures the applicant proposes in lieu thereof.
   D.   Council Review Of Request: At city council meeting at which the matter is set on the agenda, the city council will review the written request, hear statements from the occupant, building inspector, fire chief, and any other person attending the meeting who the mayor and/or city council feels can aid the city council and mayor in their decision. The matter may then be tabled for further study, denied or approved as presented or approved as amended by the council. The decision of the council shall be reduced to writing and a copy shall be delivered to the occupant, building inspector, fire chief and anyone else requesting a copy of the same.
   E.   Order By Council; Violation: In the event the council order allows alternate safety procedures to be used, the order will contain the legal description of the property involved and set forth in detail the alternate safety procedures to be followed and such other conditions as deemed appropriate. The order will be considered the same as an occupancy permit which will be effective when the provisions thereof and other applicable provisions of the fire code and building code are complied with. A violation of the order will result in the cancellation of the occupant's occupancy permit. The order shall be signed by the mayor, property owner and any tenants and shall be recorded with the Twin Falls County recorder. (1974 Code § 3-202)
8-1-3: BUILDING PERMIT FEES:
All building permit fees as required under the international building code shall be set forth by resolution of the city council and mayor. The determination of value or valuation for the purposes of establishing building permit fees shall be made by the building official of the city. (1974 Code § 3-203; amd. 2010 Code)
8-1-4: MODULAR OFFICE BUILDINGS:
   A.   Definitions: For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have a meaning ascribed to them in this subsection:
   BUSINESS USE: Any legitimate business operation allowed by law.
   MODULAR OFFICE BUILDING: Any prebuilt unit constructed specifically for offices or medical facilities which are constructed off of the premises, to be moved onto the premises, for a business use and not used for a dwelling. (1974 Code § 3-501)
   B.   Site Provisions: Modular office buildings shall be located on a well drained site and shall be either placed upon a foundation of concrete or cinder blocks in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and be skirted. The units must be placed upon the site in such a manner that there is a minimum of twenty feet (20') (including any street or alley) between the units and any building on adjoining property. (1974 Code § 3-502)
   C.   Location: Modular office buildings may be located, parked or stored in the business district, manufacturing and warehouse district, or in licensed trailer courts only and only then when they comply with this section. (1974 Code § 3-503)
   D.   Not Used As Dwellings: A modular office building may not be used as living quarters or as a dwelling either on a permanent basis or a temporary basis. If such units are used for living quarters, they shall no longer be classified as a modular office building, but shall be classified as manufactured housing. (1974 Code § 3-504)
   E.   Comply With Codes: All modular office buildings shall comply with all federal, state and local plumbing and electrical codes, laws and regulations and shall be connected to the city water and sewage service where available in compliance with the city ordinance applicable thereto. (1974 Code § 3-505)
   F.   Permits: It shall be unlawful for any owner to move a modular office building onto any site within the limits of the city, unless said owner holds a valid building and/or zoning permit issued by the city. Applications for permits shall be made showing a complete layout of the proposed site with the dimensions of said site and the locations and dimensions of the proposed modular office building which is to be located upon the site together with such other information as may be required by the building inspector and/or zoning commission. (1974 Code § 3-506)
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