Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Building Services Division in the Department of Development is the regulatory agency for all types of building and structures being constructed, altered, renovated, or maintained within the city of Columbus. Beginning on May 27, 2006, the state of Ohio will implement a new statewide building code for all one, two, and three dwelling unit structures as these structures were not covered by the existing statewide Ohio Building Code. This new code, the Residential Code of Ohio, will replace all other model residential building codes.
Coinciding with the state implementation of this new residential code, the state of Ohio will also start certifying existing building departments as Residential Building Departments in addition to certifying building departments for the enforcement of the Ohio Building Code. The city of Columbus is currently certified for the enforcement of the Ohio Building Code for structures covered by that existing statewide model code and is also currently enforcing a model building code for all structures not covered by the Ohio Building Code, although no state certification was previously required or existed for such enforcement.
The city of Columbus is moving to adopt this new statewide Residential Code of Ohio as a replacement for its existing model residential building code and desires to apply for the new certification to begin enforcement of the new statewide Residential Code of Ohio as adopted. The Columbus Building Commission, at its regular monthly meeting on February 21, 2006, voted to recommend adoption of this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for certification as a Residential Building Department.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: This legislation is submitted as an emergency to commence the Residential Building Department application immediately.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Board of Building Standard, Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, for certification as a Residential Building Department and to accept said certification if granted; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Building Services Division in the Department of Development is the regulatory agency for all types of building and structures being constructed, altered, renovated, or maintained within the city of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, beginning on May 27, 2006, the state of Ohio will implement a new statewide building code for all one, two, and three dwelling unit structures as these structures were not covered by the existing statewide Ohio Building Code; and
WHEREAS, this new code, the Residential Code of Ohio, will replace all other model residential building codes; and
WHEREAS, coinciding with the state implementation of this new residential code, the state of Ohio will also start certifying existing building departments as Residential Building Departments in addition to certifying building departments for the enforcement of the Ohio Building Code; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus is currently certified for the enforcement of the Ohio Building Code for structures covered by that existing statewide model code; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus is also currently enforcing a model building code for all structures not covered by the Ohio Building Code, although no state certification was previously required or existed for such enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus is moving to adopt this new statewide Residential Code of Ohio as a replacement for its existing model residential building code; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus also desires to apply for the new certification to begin enforcement of the new statewide Residential Code of Ohio as adopted; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Building Commission, at its regular monthly meeting on February 21, 2006, voted to recommend adoption of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary, due to the restrictive time frames, to authorize the Director of the Columbus Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Board of Building Standard, Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, for certification as a Residential Building Department and to accept said certification if granted; all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the Director of the Columbus Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to apply to the Ohio Board of Building Standard, Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance, for certification as a Residential Building Department and to accept said certification if granted.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.