Building Safety - 2006 BUILDING CODE IMPLEMENTATION

The City of Mesa has updated all of its building codes to the 2006 International Code Council (ICC) “family” of codes.  Mesa City Council has also adopted the 2005 National Electric Code produced by the National Fire Protection Association.  The City last adopted the codes in 2004.  Changes are usually adopted every three years.

The purpose of the code adoption is to maintain most current code requirements and maintain or improve the Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings.  The ISO is a non-profit group formed by a consortium of insurance companies that rate cities for insurance purposes.

·          The new codes take effect February 4, 2007.  The changes apply to applications submitted on or after February 4.  It does not affect permits for projects already submitted, under review, or under construction.

·          The City of Mesa will accept applications for projects designed to the 2006 codes prior to February 4 if the builder chooses to use the new codes and local amendments.  The City will handle early requests through the code modification process.  Such code modification requests will have the fee waived. This is how the City has handled the transition during previous code adoption cycles.

·          Single family residential standard plans approved under the 2003 code can be re-approved if homebuilders identify what needs to be updated.  Full plan sets will NOT be required. Builders will be able to submit a cover sheet addenda (three copies) for each of their currently approved 2003 standard plans.  The cover sheet will need to include the reference to the 2006 code along with an index, notes, and details identifying items that are being modified to comply with the 2006 code.  The differences between the 2003 and 2006 codes, along with our local amendments, are not significant enough to justify complete new plan sets.

·          Commercial projects currently under design using the 2003 codes that cannot be submitted prior to February 4, may file a code modification (no fee) to submit the project for approval using the 2003 code.  We will allow this for projects submitted up to 90 days (May 4, 2007) after the effective date of the new codes.  After the 90-day window, the submitted commercial projects must comply with the 2006 code.  This will prevent submittal delays and increased costs because of design changes that could result to comply with the 2006 code.

·          Custom home plans submitted on or after February 4 will need to comply with the 2006 codes. The differences between the 2003 and 2006 codes are minor and should not impose a delay.

·          A subdivision cannot be treated as a whole during a code change.  Each lot has to stand on its own.  For a while, some houses will be under construction using the 2003 code while others will be under the 2006 code in the same subdivision.  The City is required to implement the new code on the effective date, as approved by City Council. Applications received on or after February 4 must comply with the 2006 code.  If there is a specific problem complying with the 2006 code, the builder can offer an alternative method of compliance, going through the code modification process with a fee (normally $250).  The request would have to show that the alternative method met the intent of the 2006 code.

·          Field plans must coincide with the permit. If the permit was granted under the 2003 code, the field plans must follow the 2003 code.  If the permit was granted under the 2006 code, the field plans must follow the 2006 code.  The approved plans must be available to the inspector for the first required inspection.