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Commission updates building codes, electrical/plumbing chapters and land-development rules; creates misdemeanor for stop-work violations
Summary
On first reading the commission amended Chapter 7 (building and housing codes) and related code sections, repealed obsolete construction licensing and plumbing language, clarified electric code references, updated land-development design-review language (Section 33-94), and approved removal of one historic tree with a 100% replacement condition.
The City Commission approved several code changes on first reading that update building, electrical and plumbing references to current state and national codes, clarify administrative procedures, and tighten land-development standards for design review.
Larry Heights, chief building official, briefed the commission on amendments that remove outdated local licensing language, align code references with the Florida Building Code and the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), and incorporate recent changes to Florida statutes affecting permit-review timeframes (staff cited Florida Statute 553.792 during the presentation). Heights said the updates also create a local municipal misdemeanor to enforce stop-work orders for activity that continues after a formal stop-work notice, providing the police a clear statutory vehicle to cite or detain violators in extreme cases.
Planning staff presented a related amendment to Section 33-94 of the City of DeLand Land Development Regulations. The changes clarify applicability to multifamily projects, require fuller architectural information in submissions, allow the planning director to waive an architect’s compliance letter for smaller projects (changing a “shall” to a “may” for an on-call architect), and add clearer definitions to prevent “monotonous” repetitive architecture by specifying varied rooflines, setbacks and façade articulation. Planning staff said the items are primarily clarity and process fixes intended to help applicants and staff before the city’s larger LDR rewrite.
The commission also approved a resolution permitting removal of one historic tree at 1455 North McDonald Avenue on condition the applicant replace it with trees meeting the city’s replacement standard (100% replacement with minimum caliper specified in the project plan). Public Works staff confirmed the replacement trees are included in the project site plan.
Votes and process: Commissioners approved the Chapter 7 amendments and the related Chapter 10 (electric) and removal of obsolete Chapters 9 and 25 (construction licensing/plumbing) in separate roll-call votes. The Section 33-94 amendments (design review clarifications) passed on first reading after a motion and staff presentation. The tree-removal resolution passed with the stated replacement condition.
Why it matters: The amendments modernize local code language, establish a clear enforcement mechanism for stop-work violations, and provide clearer submittal expectations for architects and developers — all intended to reduce ambiguity, speed review and reduce litigation risk.
Ending: Staff said the updates are part of routine code maintenance and will ease applications while the city pursues a broader Land Development Regulation rewrite. Any code changes adopted on first reading will return for final reading or further edits per commission direction.
