A. Applicability. Except as provided in Section 15.16.050.B of this code, automatic fire sprinkler systems, installed in accordance with the standards set forth in NFPA Publication 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2016 Edition, or alternate similar fire suppression systems as approved by the Fire Chief or his designee, shall be installed in all buildings used for the following occupancies:
1. Assembly occupancy used for gathering together six or more persons;
2. Any occupancy where there is an activity involving the use of flammable liquids or gases or where flammable or combustible finishes are applied;
3. Mercantile occupancy;
4. Institutional occupancy;
5. Multifamily residential occupancy;
6. Educational occupancy;
7. Business occupancy; or
8. Storage occupancy.
B. Exceptions. The requirements of Section 15.16.050.A of this code shall not apply to any building that has same use or occupancy as the use or occupancy that was in existence in the building prior to the effective date of the amendment of this Section being February 15, 1977.
C. Fee rebate. Any building owner, other than a unit of government, who files, during the period beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2026, with the Village the permit applications and other submittals necessary to install an automatic fire sprinkler system may obtain a rebate of the Village's applicable plan review fees, water service tap fee, water meter fee, street replacement fees, and right-of-way excavation fee, as those fees may be amended from time to time by the Village Council. Eligible building owners may apply for these fee rebates after the Village Fire Chief or his designee approves the automatic fire sprinkler system installed within the building.
D. Deferred installation of water service. If the installation of a new automatic fire sprinkler system within a building, other than a building owned by a unit of government, requires installation of a new water service line connecting the building to a Village water main, the owner of the building may defer installation of the new water service line subject to, and contingent upon, all of the following conditions:
1. Before installation of the automatic fire sprinkler system, the building owner must execute and deliver to the Village an agreement in a form provided by the Village and providing, among other things, that the building owner must: (a) construct and install the new water service line in accordance with all applicable Village ordinances and other applicable laws within five (5) years after the effective date of the agreement, (b) acknowledge that the Village may revoke and refuse to issue any certificate of occupancy for the building if the building owner fails to comply with any of the provisions of the agreement, and (c) authorize the Village to record the agreement with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds against the property on which the building is located.
2. A certificate of occupancy will not be issued for the building unless and until the building owner installs the automatic fire sprinkler system within the building in accordance with the requirements of Section 15.16.050.A of this code and all plans and other submittals filed with, and approved by, the Village, and this certificate of occupancy shall be subject to completion of the necessary water service line in accordance with the requirements of the agreement described in Section 15.16.050.D.1 of this code.
3. At all times before completion of the new water service line and its approval by the Village in accordance with all applicable Village ordinances and other applicable law, the building must be equipped with a fire alarm system that complies with all Village ordinances and other laws applicable to a building that is not equipped with a fire sprinkler system.
E. Permitted temporary occupancies. A building owner of a building subject to Section 15.16.050
.B of this code, may apply to the Village Fire Chief for a temporary certificate of occupancy for a ninety (90)-day use or occupancy of the building that differs from the use or occupancy that was in existence in the building on February 15, 1977. The Village Fire Chief or his designee may issue such a temporary certificate of occupancy without requiring the owner to install a new automatic fire sprinkler system, subject to, and contingent upon, the following conditions:
1. Before commencement of the temporary use or occupancy, the building owner must execute and deliver to the Village an agreement in a form provided by the Village and providing, among other things, that the building owner must: (a) cease the temporary use or occupancy no later than ninety (90) days after the day it commences; and (b) acknowledge that the Village may revoke and refuse to issue any certificate of occupancy for the building if the building owner fails to comply with any of the provisions of the agreement.
2. Not more than one (1) temporary certificate occupancy may be approved pursuant to this Section 15.16.050.E of this code for the same building in any three hundred sixty-five (365)-day period.
3. If a temporary use or occupancy approved pursuant to this Section 15.16.050.E does not cease within ninety (90) days after it commences: (a) the building owner will be subject to a fine in the amount of $250.00 for each day that the temporary use or occupancy continues after the expiration of the temporary certificate of occupancy, (b) the Village Fire Chief or his designee may cause the building to be vacated, (c) Section 15.16.050.B of this code will no longer apply to the building, and (d) the Village will not issue any certificate of occupancy for any future use or occupancy of the building unless and until the building owner installs an automatic fire sprinkler system within the building that complies with the requirements of Section 15.16.050.A of this code.
4. No decision by the Village Fire Chief or his designee pursuant to this Section 15.16.050.E may be appealed pursuant to Section 15.16.090 of this code.
F. Terms. The terms used in this section shall have the same meanings as those terms have in the Fire Prevention Code and the Life Safety Code adopted by this chapter.
(MC-6-2021, Amended, 12/7/2021; MC-5-2019, Amended, 06/04/2019; MC-2-2016, Amended, 4/5/2016; MC-4-2012, § 24, Amended, 07/17/2012; MC-6-2010, § 5, Amended 10/5/2010; MC-10-2006, Amended, 12/19/2006; MC-3-2005, Amended, 06/21/2005; prior code § 26.17)