Commission Vote Means Codes Requirements Will Remain Unchanged

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Friday, November 28, 2014

Commission Vote Means Codes Requirements Will Remain Unchanged

   A resolution approved by County leaders will continue to allow local codes to remain unchanged, rather than adhering to those established by the state fire marshal’s office.

   During the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, members present voted unanimously to adopt a resolution “exempting Lawrence County from the application of statewide standards for one-family and two-family dwellings.”

   A couple of citizens addressed the board at the beginning of the meeting expressing concerns and requesting that the board approve the resolution, thereby maintaining current local standards. County Executive T.R. Williams tried to allay fears by explaining, “Choosing to opt out of that means that it stays the way that it is.”

   The legislation applies to state building codes that regulate the installation of sprinkler systems, energy efficiency, safety and other issues. State law dictates that in local governments where the governing body has not opted out of the stipulation, or where the local government is not enforcing its own residential building code, a state building permit is required for new residential construction, and structures must be built to comply with the state standards.

   The statute stipulates that previously adopted resolutions (to opt out) “will expire 180 days following the date of the election for the local legislative body.”

   Commissioner Alana Harris explained, “This vote comes around any time you elect a new commission. You have 180 days to bring this back up and vote on it. That’s what we’re doing here tonight. Because we’re within the 180 days of the election of a new commission, we have to declare that we want to opt out of this as a county, again.”

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