The International Residential Code, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as the Code) published by the International Code Council, Inc. is hereby adopted and by reference thereto is made a part of this chapter with the same force and effect as though set out in full herein, save and except such changes, amendments, revisions, deletions, substitutions and/or additions as are specified in this chapter. If conflicts arise between this code and other codes adopted by the State of Maryland or Garrett County, the more restrictive provisions shall govern. At least one copy of this code and supplements thereto shall be on file and open for public use, examinations, and inspections in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners.
(A) Modifications to International Residential Code.
(1) The following provisions of the International Residential Code are hereby deleted:
Chapter 1 ADMINISTRATION (Refer to the provisions within Chapter 1, International Building Code, as amended within this ordinance, for administration of the International Residential Code)
(2) The following are changes or additions to certain sections of the code:
(a) Chapter 3, Table R301.2(l) is to be completed, by inserting the data listed below and keyed to the table headings.
1. Ground snow load: | 40 psf |
2. Wind speed: | 115 (mph) |
3. Topographic effects: | No |
4. Special wind region: | No |
5. Wind-borne debris zone: | No |
6. Seismic design category: | A |
7. Weathering: | Severe |
8. Frost line depth: | 36 inches |
9. Termite: | Moderate to Heavy |
10. Winter design temperature: | -10 degree F |
11. Ice barrier underlayment required: | Yes |
12. Flood Hazards: | 3/2/89-10/2/2013 FIRM Panel #’s available upon request |
13. Air freezing index: | 1309 |
14. Mean annual Temp: | 47.6 |
(b) Chapter 3, Table R302.6 is amended by deleting inch in inapplicable sections and inserting “5/8 inch type x” in lieu thereof.
(c) Chapter 3, Section R309.1 is amended by adding a new sentence at the end as follows: “No point on the finish garage floor of an attached garage shall be closer than four (4) inches to the finish floor level of the dwelling.”
(d) Chapter 3, Section R313.2, “One and two family dwellings automatic fire systems”, is hereby amended by adding the following “including manufactured homes assembled at the factory after the effective date of this ordinance”.
Section R313.2 is further amended by adding the following additional exceptions.
Exception 2. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in one and two family dwellings for a property not connected to an electrical utility.
Exception 3. Until January 1, 2016, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in one and two family dwellings on:
1. A lot subject to a valid unexpired public works agreement that was executed before March 1, 2011 or,
2. A lot served by an existing water service line from a water main to the property line that:
a. Is less than a nominal 1 inch size;
b. Is approved and owned by the public or private water system that owns the mains;
c. Was installed before March 1,2011; and
d. Is fully operational from the public or private main to a curb stop or meter pit located at the property line.
(e) Chapter 3, Section R317.1 is amended by deleting from subsection 2 the words “and are less than 8 inches (203 mm) from exposed ground” and by deleting from subsection 3 the words “unless separated from such slab by an impervious moisture barrier.”
(f) Chapter 3, Section 326.1 is hereby amended by deleting “the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code” and inserting “Appendix G of the 2012 International Residential Code, IRC.”
(g) Chapter 4, Section R401.3 is amended by deleting the last sentence and inserting the following in lieu thereof “The grade away from the foundation shall fall a minimum of 3 inches (77 mm) within the first 5 feet (1524 mm), a slope of 5 percent.” The Exception which follows is amended by deleting the words, “6 inches (153 mm) of fall within 10 feet (3048 mm)” and inserting the following in lieu thereof. “3 inches (77 mm) of fall within 5 feet (1524 nun).”
(h) Chapter 4, Figure R403.1(2) is amended by deleting the note “FINISH GRADE SLOPE “ PER FOOT MINIMUM 6' FROM WALL” and inserting the following note in lieu thereof “MINIMUM FINISH GRADE SLOPE 3" IN 5' FROM WALL.”
(i) Chapter 4, Figure R403.1(3) is amended by deleting the note, “FINISH GRADE SLOPE ½" PER FOOT MINIMUM FROM WALL” and inserting the following note in lieu thereof “MINIMUM FINISH GRADE SLOPE 3" IN 5' FROM WALL.”
(j) Chapter 4, Section R405.1 is amended by deleting the following from the first sentence “and enclose habitable or usable spaces located below grade.”
(k) Chapter 4, Section R406.1 is amended by deleting “and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade” from the first sentence and by deleting the last sentence and inserting the following in lien thereof: “Concrete walls shall be damp proofed by applying any one of the above listed damp proofing materials, anyone of the waterproofing materials listed in Section R406.2, or any other industry accepted product to the exterior of the wall.”
(l) Chapter 4, Section R406.2 is amended by adding a new sentence as follows, “Other industry accepted products which offer comparable waterproofing performance may also be used.”
(m) Chapter 5, Section R502.1 is amended by adding the following exception:
“Exception: Lumber sold by sawmills must be visually graded structural lumber evidenced by a stamp or certificate of inspection showing species, grade, and moisture content.”
(n) Chapter 6, Section R602.1 is amended by adding the following exception:
“Exception: Lumber sold by sawmills must be visually graded structural lumber evidenced by a stamp or certificate of inspection showing species, grade, and moisture content.”
(o) Chapter 8, Section R802.1 is amended by adding the following exception:
“Exception: Lumber sold by sawmills must be visually graded structural lumber evidenced by a stamp or certificate of inspection showing species, grade, and moisture content.”
(p) Chapters 25 through 42 are hereby prefaced by the following statement:
“The International Residential Code chapters concerning plumbing and electrical installation standards shall be in conformance with the Maryland State Plumbing Code as adopted by the State Plumbing Board and the National Electrical Code as adopted by the State Fire Prevention Code. If a conflict exists between the IRC and the official state plumbing and electrical codes the latter shall govern.”
(q) Chapter 35, add a new Section E3501.1.1 as follows:
“E3501.1.1 Additional references: The installation of electrical services shall also be subject to the regulations of the power company serving the area in which the service is to be installed.”
(r) Appendix C and E are hereby incorporated into this section.
(s) Appendix E, Section AE101 is amended by deleting “(non-rental)”and inserting the words “or rental” in lieu thereof.
(t) Appendix E, Section AE201.1 is amended by adding a new definition as follows:
“RENTAL LOT. A parcel of real estate inside a manufactured home rental community or other privately owned land where the land and the manufactured home to be installed are not held in common ownership.”
(u) The 2012 International Residential Code (IRC), Appendix G, Section AG105.3 is amended by deleting “Item 9" at the end of the sentence and inserting the following: “9.1” (powered safety cover) or “9.2” (pool alarm). In addition, “9.3” (self closing door with self latching device) is required in all installations.
(v) The 2012 International Residential Code (IRC), Appendix G, Section AG105.3 is amended by adding the following: “If walls surrounding an indoor pool are constructed with windows within forty eight (48) inches of finish grade on the outside of the enclosed pool area, said windows shall be alarmed as required in Section AG105.2, item 9.2 if the alarm option is chosen as one of the two required safety measures.”
(Ord. —, passed 6-16-2015)