HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 038 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-038
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 1, 2022
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SUBJECT: 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE ADOPTION
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The March 8 City Council agenda will include an M&C for the adoption of the 2021 International Building
Codes. The purpose of this IR is to discuss the process and collaboration involved in the code adoption
process. The International Code Council is the non-profit organization that develops the building codes o n
a three-year cycle.
The City of Fort Worth (City) has adopted model codes from the International Code Council (ICC), with
local amendments, as the construction codes for the City since 2004. These model codes are reviewed
and updated annually through a national code adoption process. Every three years these changes are
codified and published for local adoption. The City has historically adopted newly published Codes every
six years, most recently adopting the 2015 Codes in 2016. The 2021 edition of ICC codes are the latest
published version offered for adoption. Development Services and Fire Department staff recommend
adopting the 2021 International Codes as the construction codes for the City. The adoption of these codes
helps to ensure the safety and suitability of the built environment in Fort Worth for our residents,
businesses and visitors.
The City's local amendments are based on the amendments recommended for regional adoption by the
North Central Texas Council of Governments and our local practices. A committee was formed to review
the City's local amendments including representatives from the Development Advisory Committee, the
Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals, the American Institute of Architects, the Greate r Fort
Worth Builders Association, and TEXO the Construction Association, an association of general
Contractors. This committee has met many times over the last several months reviewing the proposed
local amendments. The Fort Worth Builders Association, the Development Advisory Committee and the
Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals have been briefed on the proposed local amendments.
The Construction and Fire Prevention Board of Appeals recommended approval of the adoption of the
Codes with the exception of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code after public hearing on
February 10, 2022.
The codes to be adopted include the 2021 version of the International Building Code, Residential Code,
Fire Code, Existing Building Code, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and Mechanical, all with local amendments. The
City will retain the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.The Fort Worth Building Administrative
Code which serves as the administrative, organizational, and enforcement rules and regulations for the
building codes, including information about when permits are required, certificates of occupancy,who may
apply for permits and our fee schedule will also be amended and adopted.
The construction code ordinances are planned to have an effective date of April 1, 2022. All building
permit applications submitted priorto April 1 will be reviewed under our currently adopted codes.
If you have any questions please contact Allison Gray, Building Official, at 817-392-8030.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORTWORTH, TEXAS