(A) Scope. This section shall govern the conditions of components and systems of existing residential structures.
(B) Certified historic structures. In a certified historic structure as defined in Minn. Rules part 1311.0301, the requirements of this section are subject to modifications specifically set forth in Chapter 6 of the Guidelines for Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings, as modified by Minn. Rules Chapter 1311.
(C) Modifications. Where there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this section, the city may accept compliance alternatives or grant modifications for individual cases, provided the city shall first find that a special individual reason makes the strict compliance impractical and that the compliance alternative or modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of this subchapter and any and all other applicable code provisions and that the compliance alternative or modification does not lessen health, life and the intent of any fire safety requirements or any degree of structural integrity of the property. The details of any action granting modification or the acceptance of a compliance alternative shall be recorded and entered in city files.
(D) Safe and sanitary condition required. All buildings and structures and all parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.
(E) Additional requirements applicable to electrical components or systems.
(1) The electrical service, lines, switches, outlets, fixtures and fixture coverings, and supports in every building or structure shall be in good repair.
(2) Broken, loose, frayed, inoperative, defective or missing portions of electrical components or systems shall be repaired or replaced.
(3) All unsafe conditions shall be corrected.
(F) Additional requirements applicable to plumbing components or systems.
(1) Leaking drain or supply lines shall be repaired or replaced.
(2) All unsafe conditions shall be corrected.
(3) Any cross connections or siphonage between fixtures shall be corrected.
(G) Additional requirement applicable to mechanical systems. Mechanical systems shall have any unsafe conditions corrected.
(H) Means of egress. The structure must meet those requirements of §§ 403.1 through 403.18 of GREB as modified by Minn. Rules Chapter 1311 that, by their wording or phrasing, apply to existing structures without regard to whether alteration, repair or other work is being performed on the structure.
(I) Boiler/central heating plant equipment rooms and storage rooms. In residential occupancies containing more than two dwelling units (including apartment buildings):
(1) Rooms containing boilers or central heating plants, and storage rooms with floor area exceeding 100 square feet in size, shall be separated from the rest of the building by not less than a one hour occupancy separation.
(a) When approved by a Building Official, existing wood lath and plaster in good condition or two-inch (12.7-mm) gypsum wallboard may be accepted where one hour occupancy separations are required.
(b) In a certified historic structure as defined in Minn. Rules part 1311.0301, where the existing wall and ceiling finish is wood lath and plaster, one hour fire resistant construction is not required and need not be provided.
(2) A separation need not be provided for the rooms with equipment serving only one dwelling unit.
(J) Structural safety.
(1) The minimum design loads for the structure shall be the loads applicable at the time the building was constructed, provided that no dangerous condition is created. Structural members that are found to be unsound or dangerous shall comply with the applicable requirements of the State Building Code for new construction.
(2) A building, structure or an individual structural member that has any of the conditions or defects described below, as determined by a licensed design professional, shall be replaced or strengthened when:
(a) The stress in any materials, member or portion thereof, due to all dead and live loads, is more than one and one half the working stress or stresses allowed in the State Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location;
(b) Any portion of the building, structure or member has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or by any other cause, to such an extent that its structural strength or stability is materially less than it was before the catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the State Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location;
(c) Any portion of the building, structure or member has wracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds or earthquakes than is required in the case of similar new construction;
(d) The building or structure, or any portion of it, is likely to partially or completely collapse because of: dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting the building; the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or any other cause;
(e) The exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle one third of the base;
(f) The building or structure, exclusive of the foundation, shows 33% or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or 50% damage or deterioration of its non-supporting members, enclosing or outside walls, or coverings; or
(g) Any building or structure, which, whether or not erected in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances, has in any non-supporting part, member or portion less than 50%, or in any supporting part, member or portion less than 66% of the strength; fire-resisting qualities or characteristics; or weather resisting qualities or characteristics required by law in the case of newly constructed building or like area, height and occupancy in the same location.
(K) Weather protection.
(1) Every building shall be weather protected to provide shelter for the occupants against the elements and to exclude dampness.
(2) The roof of every building or structure shall provide weather protection for the building.
(3) All devices that were provided or are required to prevent ponding or flooding or to convey the roof water shall be capable of fulfilling that purpose.
(4) All weather exposed surfaces of every existing building or structure shall provide weather protection.
(L) Maintenance and degradation.
(1) All systems, devices or safeguards that were required by a State Building Code under which the building was constructed shall be maintained in conformance with the requirements of that Code.
(2) Failure to correct degradation of any system, device or equipment that a State Building Code required at the time of its construction is prohibited.
(Ord. 163, passed 7-1-2013)