Source: http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/print/book/export/html/143022
Timestamp: 2020-06-04 18:55:17
Document Index: 755951987

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 68', '§ 68', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6']

MTAS-1095
Building Codes Adopted by Reference
Amendments to building codes published by original publisher may be adopted either by ordinance.[7] or by administrative regulations.[8] Regardless of which method is used to adopt published amendments to codes, the governing body must take affirmative action to either accept or reject each specific amendment to a particular code.[9] The statute does not provide for automatic adoption of future published amendments, nor will an ordinance adopted to incorporate "all future amendments" comply with the statute.[10] For cities that enforce their own local building construction safety standards under T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 120, building codes adopted by reference must be current within seven years of the date of the latest editions.[11] The local standards must be at least as stringent as those adopted by the state fire marshal, or the fire marshal's standards apply to the city.[12] The local standards may not conflict with any provision of T.C.A. Title 68, Chapter 120. [13]
[7] T.C.A. § 6-54-503.
[8] T.C.A. § 6-54-502(c) - (e).
[9] T.C.A. § 6-54-502(b), (d).
[10] See T.C.A. § 6-54-502(b).
[11] T.C.A. § 68-120-101 (b)(4)(A) (2004).
[12] T.C.A. § 68-120-106(a) (Supp. 2003).
MTAS-1772
The statute does not specify that rejection of amendments must be by written instrument. However, a written resolution is an effective way to keep a record of the votes on each amendment considered and what action was taken on each. See Sample 3, "Resolution rejecting specific amendments to building codes." [1] If the rejection is not by written instrument, the meeting minutes should contain an accurate reference to the specific amendment considered and either a roll call vote or a notation that the vote to reject was effected by at least a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the board.
MTAS-1773
If a city decides to adopt a specific amendment, T.C.A. provides two alternate methods. The first method is straightforward. The governing body of the city passes an ordinance adopting the published amendments by reference. [16] As with complete building codes adopted by reference, amendments to building codes must be on file in the recorder's office at least 15 days before the ordinance incorporating them by reference is adopted. [17] If the ordinance adopting the building code is in the city's municipal code, the ordinance adopting the amendment should be written to amend the municipal code section and not the original ordinance. See Sample 4, "Ordinance incorporating amendments to building codes—amending a municipal code." [2] If the ordinance adopting the building code is not in a municipal code, the ordinance should be written to amend the ordinance that adopted the building code. See Sample 5, "Ordinance incorporating amendments to building codes—amending an existing ordinance." [3]
[16] T.C.A. § 6-54-503.
[17] T.C.A. § 6-54-503(b).
MTAS-1774
The second method of adopting published amendments to building codes by reference is a bit more complicated. It is not clearly set forth in the statutes but is outlined in T.C.A. § 6-54-502(c)–(e). See the step-by-step guide [4] for a simplified version of this method. So that anyone reading the original ordinance adopting the building code by reference will know how to locate amendments to the building code, the intent to have the municipal code official adopt amendments administratively should be set forth in that ordinance. See Sample 2, "Adopting building codes by reference with intent to adopt amendments administratively." [5]
For cities with municipal code sections adopting building codes by reference, a footnote should be added referring to administrative regulations that adopt amendments. The footnote should be updated each time the building official adopts new amendments and should identify by date and source the amendments adopted. See Sample 6, "Municipal Code chapter adopting the International Building Code with intent to adopt amendments administratively, and footnote to administrative regulations." [6]
The statute does not provide the procedure the municipal code official must follow to "adopt administrative regulations," but the official should not write the regulations to amend the original ordinance adopting the building code by reference. A city's governing body may delegate administrative functions to subordinate officials.[20] However, an ordinance must be amended by an act of "equal dignity," i.e., another ordinance. [21] It is a legislative act, [22] and legislative acts may not be delegated. [23] So that the regulations are easily accessible to interested persons, the official should put them in a binder with identifying labels. See Sample 7, "Administrative regulations to adopt amendments to building codes." [7]
While the statute does not specify when the administrative regulations are considered "adopted," it does provide that the regulations become effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period. [32] The expiration of the 90-day period is the final step in adopting the administrative regulations.[33] It is the date of the second meeting of the governing body after publication of the regulations or after 90 days, whichever is later, and should be considered the date the regulations are adopted. So that a clear record is kept of the administrative procedures, the adoption date should appear on the regulations. See Sample 7, "Administrative regulations to adopt amendments to building codes." [7] Since the 15-day filing period requirement is in place to give the public a chance to look at the regulations prior to their adoption, [34] they must be completed before the 90-day period ends. If the administrative regulations are on file in the recorder's office at least 15 days before the 90-day period expires, the requirement will be met.
[1] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-resolution-rejecting-amendments
[2] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-ordinance-incorporating-amendments-municipal-code
[3] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-ordinance-incorporating-amendments-ordinance
[4] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/guide-adopting-building-codes
[5] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-ordinance-adopt-amendments-administratively
[6] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-municipal-code-chapter-adopting-ibc
[7] http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-administrative-regulations-adopt-amendments
Source URL (retrieved on 06/04/2020 - 2:55pm): http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/amendments-building-codes