F2. Building and Fire Codes MemoPLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
REPORT To:
Imo'. 00 1 F,
MOATANA JLJ
Doug Russell, City Manager
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Jeff Clawson, Building official
Planning Department
201 V Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7940
Fax: (406) 758-7739
www.kalis ell.conV lannin
SUBJECT: 2012 International Building, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire and Existing
Building Codes, 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code and the revised Permit
Fee Schedule - Hearing and Adoption
MEETING DATE: February 17, 2015
BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Building Department, as do all other municipal building
departments, implements standardized building codes prepared by national code committees. The
International Building Codes Conu-nittee updates the codes every three years. The State of Montana
has officially adopted the 2012 International Building, Mechanical, Fire, Energy Fuel Gas and
Existing Building Codes, and the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code effective December, 2014. These
codes will replace the previously adopted 2009 family of codes. Because the State Building Codes
Division has already adopted the 2012 family of codes, these codes are in force for all commercial
and multi -family residential construction within the state of Montana. The City of Kalispell, in
order to maintain its certification with the State Building Codes Bureau, is required to adopt the
2012 codes within 90 days of state adoption. once adopted in Kalispell, the Kalispell Building
Department will utilize these codes for commercial and residential construction within the city.
Specific changes within the new codes that will affect Kalispell more directly include:
• Requiring fire sprinklers for hotels with S or more guest rooms and 5-plex or larger
apartment buildings. This is more stringent than the 2009 codes which required sprinklers
for 8 -plex or larger apartment units.
• Requiring carbon -monoxide detectors in single family homes.
• Significant changes to the energy code with regards to insulation and air changes in a home
along with testing requirements. The cities of Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and
Po lson were all part of a round table discussion hosted by the Flathead Building Association
to discuss the implementation of these new energy code changes. We will continue
participating in various discussions to educate the contractors toward consistency throughout
the different jurisdictions.
• Changes will allow new building products and materials and indicate where they may be
used.
• Mechanical, fuel gas and plumbing code changes bring them more in lime with the
requirements of the energy code.
• Some significant changes in the 2012 residential code may reduce some of the prescriptive
requirements for wall bracing.
Minimum requirements for decks and how they are attached to a structure will end some of
the confusion about what is and is not required when constructing a deck.
The new codes should bring about more clarity within the International Code Council family of
codes. over the past 6 months in preparation for adoption of these codes, our department has been
notifying all contractors and permit holders advising them of the upcoming new code requirements.
The Flathead Building Association also notified their members through their weekly E-mail
newsletter.
Along with the adoption of the 2012 code family, the Kalispell Building Department is
recommending an increase in the permit fee schedule. The permit fee schedule was previously
adjusted in 1997 and 2008. In 2008, residential permit fees for projects less than $200,000 were
lowered and residential projects above $200,000 and commercial projects were increased in an
attempt to create a revenue neutral increase. we are now suggesting an average increase of
approximately 5%. Note that this increase will not be applied to projects less than $200,000 which
typically include entry level homes, remodels and small additions.
The purpose of the fee adjustment is two -fold. The department is trying to be fiscally responsible
by taking small steps to adjust the program for inflationary costs. The consumer price index for
western states has increased 20.6% since 2008. Secondly, to better serve the public, the department
wi11 begin accepting credit cards for payment. Credit cards carry with them a service cost between
0. 3 % and 2.9% plus a transaction fee between $ 0.10 to $ 0. 3 0 per transaction. we will additionally
have $13.99 in monthly service fees. we anticipate at least a third of our business will be by credit
card. The building department operates as an enterprise fund and maintains a reserve fund of one
year to accommodate capital expenditures (vehicle replacement) and economic swings. This
reserve is monitored annually by the state. The Fiscal Year 2015 budget is budgeted to have an
ending balance of $325,838, or 70% of the allowable reserve amount. A 5% increase in building
permit revenue would generate $12,500, keeping us below the state limitation, yet providing the
resources to allow upcoming capital expenditures and potential fluctuations in staffing if activity
necessitates.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that city council receive public conm-tent and adopt
the 2012 International Building, Mechanical, Fire, Energy, Fuel Gas and Existing Building Codes,
and the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code, along with the associated fee schedules.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Adoption of the codes, and fee schedules, will have positive fiscal impacts to
the city.
ALTERNATIVES: Deny the request.
Respectfully submitted,
If
Jeff 1 dVon
Building Official
ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit A —Proposed 2105 Building, Mechanical, &Plumbing permit fee
schedules