The following sections of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition, as published by the International Code Council, are hereby revised:
1. Section 101.1. Insert: City of Indianola, Iowa
2. Delete Code Section: IMPC103.5. Replace with the following language:
103.5 Fees. The fees for activities and services performed by the department in carrying out its responsibilities under this code shall be found in the Fee Schedule adopted annually by resolution of the City Council.
3. Delete Code Section: IMPC112.4. Replace with the following language:
112.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable to a fine as outlined in Chapter 4.
4. Insert Definition into Section 202. Add the following language:
STORED MATERIALS. Includes a supply of materials such as firewood, maintenance equipment, and construction items and is intended for future usage
5. Add Code Section 301.4. Insert the following language:
Section 301.4 Mold, Dampness and Moisture. Interior and exterior surfaces and coverings shall be free of visible mold or chronic/persistent excessive dampness and/or moisture
6. Add Code Section 301.5. Insert the following language:
Section 301.5 Methamphetamine. If it is determined that a dwelling unit or building has been previously used for methamphetamine manufacture or is currently being used to manufacture methamphetamine, the building shall be vacated until certified as safe by the Code Enforcement Officer.
7. Section 302.4. Insert:
Grass, weeds or brush on private property shall be cut, mowed and maintained so as not to exceed the following height specifications:
A. Developed Areas - not to exceed eight inches.
B. Undeveloped Areas - not to exceed 12 inches.
i. This section does not apply to grasses grown as agricultural crops on undeveloped property or to prairies, wetlands, or similar areas of naturalized perennial vegetation grasses growing on undeveloped property as determined by the City Council.
C. All undeveloped properties adjacent to a developed property - not to exceed eight inches for a distance of 10 feet measured horizontally into the property from the property line.
D. Grass, weeds or brush on undeveloped properties adjacent to the curb line or outer boundary of any street shall be cut, mowed and maintained so as not to exceed eight inches for a distance of 25 feet measured horizontally into the property from the property line.
8. Section 304.14. Insert: (from date) April 1 (to date) October 31
9. Add Code Section 304.18.4. Insert the following language:
Section 304.18.4 Building Security
1. Following each change in tenancy, and at the request of the new tenant, locking devices on dwelling unit entry doors shall be changed or rotated.
2. Primary egress doors in multi-family housing units shall be equipped to provide the occupant with a clear view of the area immediately outside of the door. This view may be provided by a one-way door viewer designed to provide a one hundred eighty (180) degree field of view. Such viewer shall not be mounted in excess of 60 inches.
10. Add Code Section 304.20. Insert the following language:
Section 304.20 Building Openings. If openings are identified that penetrate exterior walls, the opening shall be sealed with low-VOC caulk or closed-cell insulation
11. Add Code Section 305.7. Insert the following language:
Section 305.7 Lead Paint
1. Deteriorated paint or surfaces that are in need of resurfacing at a property built before 1978 shall be repaired in accordance with applicable state and federal renovation requirements. The underlying cause of deteriorated paint at a property built before 1978 shall be corrected.
2. If disturbance to a painted surface is proposed, methods including open-flame burning or operating a heat gun at a temperature of 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit power sanding, grinding, power planning, needle gun, abrasive blasting and sandblasting unless with a high-efficiency particulate air vacuum attachment, shall not be permitted. Dust clearance shall be performed at the conclusion of renovation work.
12. Add Code Section 305.8. Insert the following language:
Section 305.8 Asbestos. Asbestos containing material shall be in good repair, free from any defects and shall be maintained non-friable. Any renovation, demolition, or other activity that will disturb asbestos shall be performed by a certified asbestos professional.
13. Add Code Section 305.9. Insert the following language:
Section 305.9 Radon. A tenant/occupant may request a radon test prior to signing or renewing a lease. If a test is requested, the owner/designated agent shall allow for such test to be completed prior to execution or renewal of the lease. If a test has previously been performed in the last two (2) years, those results may be provided to the tenant in lieu of the requirement that the test be completed prior to execution or renewal of a lease.
14. Add Code Section 305.10. Insert the following language:
Section 305.10 Building Renovation and Maintenance
1. Any renovation that is completed must use building materials certified to meet the following formaldehyde maximum emission standards:
a. Hardwood with a never core, 0.05 ppm
b. Medium-density fiberboard, 0.11 ppm
c. Thin medium-density fiberboard, 0.13 ppm
d. Particleboard, 0.09 ppm
2. Building materials used in maintenance and renovations shall be certified as having no volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) or low-VOC emissions
15. Add Code Section 309.6 Insert the following language:
Section 309.6 Pest Elimination Methods. Pesticide usage shall be used in accordance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods and shall use the least-toxic pesticide with demonstrated efficacy for the identified pest. Foggers and organic phosphates shall not be used to eliminate pest infestation unless approved by the Code Enforcement Officer.
16. Add Code Section 402.4. Insert the following language:
Section 402.4 Light Switches. Light switches that control ceiling or wall-type electric light fixtures shall be located conveniently for safe use within 12 inches.
17. Add Code Section 403.6. Insert the following language:
Section 403.6 Air Filters. Forced-air systems should have a clean air filter with minimum efficiency reporting value of eight (MERV-8) unless the system is not equipped to use one.
18. Add Code Section 403.7. Insert the following language:
Section 403.7 Exhaust Fans. Air exhausted from the bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, laundry, and basement shall not discharge near any intake on the building's exterior.
19. Add Code Section 403.8. Insert the following language:
Section 403.8 Separation. Walls, ceilings, and floors that separate a dwelling unit from neighboring units, corridors, chases, stairwells, and other openings shall be sealed to limit air exchanges between interior spaces.
20. Add Code Section 503.5. Insert the following language:
Section 503.5 Watertight Seal. Corners or edges where the water-resistant floor and wall materials meet each other, or the bathtub/shower shall have a watertight seal.
21. Add Code Section 601.3. Insert the following language:
Section 601.3 Facilities. If facilities for heating and ventilation control becomes inoperative, they shall be replaced by an alternative safe source within 48 hours after failure due to a mechanical problem or power failure other than a utility outage.
22. Add Code Section 601.4. Insert the following language:
Section 601.4 Equipment. Mechanical, utility and heating equipment shall be separated from habitable rooms. Equipment rooms in multi-family buildings shall be locked.
23. Section 602.3. Insert: (from date) September 15 (to date) May 15
24. Section 602.4. Insert: (from date) September 15 (to date) May 15
25. Add Code Section 602.6. Insert the following language:
Section 602.6 Protective Cover/Barrier. A protective cover/barrier shall be installed on and maintained for exposed surfaces in dwellings with heating appliance/equipment utilizing steam or hot water with a temperature of 110 degrees or greater.
26. Add Code Section 602.7. Insert the following language:
Section 602.7 Wood Stoves. A wood stove manufactured after June 1988 shall contain a manufacturer's label certifying compliance with the emission standard at 40 C.F.R 60-part AAA and shall provide a heat shield which provides clearance between combustible materials and the stove.
27. Add Code Section 702.5. Insert the following language:
Section 702.5 Fire Safety Requirements
1. Egress shall lead outside without passing through another dwelling unit.
2. Every multi-family dwelling unit shall have at minimum two means of egress that serve as emergency escapes and rescue openings.
3. Stored materials shall be six inches above the ground, at least six inches away from the wall and shall not block egress