Certain sections and portions of sections of the IPMC (2018), are hereby amended, deleted, modified or added to as more specifically set forth below.
(A) § 101.1, insert: “City of Fort Madison, Iowa”;
(B) § 103.5, insert: “fee schedule as set by Council resolution”;
(C) § 112.4, insert: “fine schedule as set by Council resolution”;
(D) § 302.4, insert: “8 inches” (from 52.02 #13 Weeds);
(E) § 304.14, insert: “April 1, September 30";
(F) § 602.3, insert: “October 1, April 30";
(G) § 602.4, insert: “October 1, April 30".
(H) Unsafe structures and equipment. The Fort Madison Property Maintenance Code is hereby amended by repealing § 108.1 of the IPMC (2018), and by replacing said section with a new section, as follows:
§ 108.1 General. When a structure or equipment is found by the Code Official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, the Code Official shall commence proceedings to cause the repair, vacation or demolition of the structure and the structure may be condemned pursuant to the provisions of this code.
(I) Request for hearing. The Fort Madison Property Maintenance Code is hereby amended by repealing § 111 of the IPMC (2018) in its entirety, and by replacing said section with a new section, as follows:
§ 111 Request for hearing. Any person ordered to abate a nuisance or other Code violation, or any person interested therein may have a hearing with the Construction Board of Appeals as to whether a Code violation exists or on a request for an extension of time in which to abate a nuisance or other Code violation. A request for a hearing must be made in writing and delivered to the Construction Board of Appeals either: within the time stated in the order to abate or twenty (20) calendar days after the date of postmark of notice or proof of service, whichever comes first; or it will be conclusively presumed that a nuisance exists and it must be abated as ordered. An additional ten (10) days to file a request for appeal will be granted upon showing of exigent and/or unforeseeable circumstances making it impracticable to have filed the appeal request within the twenty (20) day period provided above. The Construction Board of Appeals shall set a hearing date as soon as practicable after receiving a written appeal. The applicant shall be advised in writing of the time and place of such meeting at least (4) days prior to the date of the meeting. At such meeting, the applicant shall be given an opportunity to be heard and show just cause why a nuisance or other Code violation does not exist or why an extension of time is needed. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Construction Board of Appeals shall render a written decision as to whether or not a nuisance or other Code violation exists. If the Construction Board of Appeals finds that a nuisance or other Code violation exists, it shall order the violation to be abated within an additional time which is reasonable under the circumstances. The findings of the Construction Board of Appeals shall constitute the city’s final action on the matter. Enforcement of any notice or order issued under this code shall be stayed during the duration of an appeal of the order, which is properly and timely filed.
(J) Overcrowding. The Fort Madison Property Maintenance Code is hereby amended by adding a new exception to § 404.5 of the IPMC (2018), as follows:
Exception: The actual number of persons occupying a dwelling unit shall not create conditions that, in the opinion of the Code Official, endanger the life, health, safety, or welfare of the occupants.
(K) Receptacles. The Fort Madison Property Maintenance Code is hereby amended by adding a new § 605.2.1 to the IPMC (2018), reading as follows:
§ 605.2.1 Ground fault circuit requirements. Receptacles which are within six feet of a source of water shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.
(L) Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The Fort Madison Property Maintenance Code is hereby amended by repealing §§ 704 and 705 of the IPMC (2018), and by replacing said sections with new sections, as follows:
Smoke detection and notification. Smoke alarms shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 217 and installed in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Code of Ordinances and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
§ 704.1 Smoke detection systems. Household fire alarm systems installed in accordance with NFPA 72 that include smoke alarms, or a combination of smoke detector and audible notification devices installed as required by this section for smoke alarms, shall be permitted.
§ 704.2 Location. Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
1. In each sleeping room;
2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms;
3. On each story of the dwelling including basements.
§ 704.3.1 Alterations, repairs and additions. When alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the dwelling unit shall be equipped with smoke alarms in locations as required in § R314.3 for new dwellings.
Exceptions:
1. Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of an open porch or deck, are exempt from the requirements of this section;
2. Installation, alteration or repairs of plumbing or mechanical systems are exempt from the requirements of this section.
§ 704.4 Power source. Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.
§ 704.5 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in accordance with § R314.3, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of any one alarm.
§ 705.1 Carbon monoxide alarms and detection [F]. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in dwellings in accordance Chapter 2 of this
Code of Ordinances and § 1103.9 of the International Fire Code, except that alarms in dwellings covered by the International Residential Code shall be installed in accordance with § R315 of that code.
§ 705.2 Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 2 of this Code of Ordinances and NFPA 720. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that become inoperable or begin producing end-of-life signals shall be replaced.
(Ord. D-108, passed 11-21-2023)