Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 3/5/2025
Item Status: New
From: Eddie Harper, Baldwin County Building Official
Submitted by: Mindy Smith, Baldwin County Building Department Administrator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Adoption of Baldwin County Commission Building Code
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Conduct a public hearing on the proposed adoption of new building laws and codes within the Baldwin County building permit jurisdiction. The proposed adoption includes the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Fuel Gas Code from the International Code Council (ICC) 2024 I-Codes, along with the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code, all as amended. The proposal also includes the 2025 Baldwin County Building Code Modifications.
Following the public hearing, the Building Official recommends that the Baldwin County Commission adopt Resolution #2025-067 which approves new building laws and codes, to be effective and enforced as of March 5, 2025.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Baldwin County currently enforces the following 2018 International Code Council (ICC) codes: International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Energy Conservation Code. Additionally, the County enforces the 2017 National Electrical Code and the 2018 Baldwin County Supplemental Code.
The ICC updates its codes every three years to incorporate improvements derived from lessons learned, advancements in building science, engineering practices, and technological innovations. Adopting the latest code series is essential to ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. Furthermore, updating codes every six years is necessary for the County to maintain optimal ratings in programs that can directly impact local insurance rates, including:
(1) The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS), established by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO); and
(2) The Community Rating System (CRS), part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Previous Commission action/date: The Baldwin County Commission last adopted building codes through Resolution #2019-075 on May 21, 2019. An amendment to the code was subsequently adopted through Resolution #2020-119 on October 6, 2020.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $490.44
Budget line item(s) to be used: 10052710-52530 for advertising public notice
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents? Yes
Reviewed/approved by: County Attorney, 01/30/2025 (MS)
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? Yes
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration Staff and Mindy Smith
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Administration Staff - Email copy of resolution signed by Chairman to Eddie Harper and Mindy Smith.
Mindy Smith - Distribute copies of the signed resolution and adopted codes to all Baldwin County Building Department offices and staff; upload the documents to the Building Department website for public access.
Additional instructions/notes: N/A