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Liberal City Council adopts 2024 ICC building code update
Summary
The council voted 4-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 4631, updating the city's building code from the 2015 cycle to the 2024 International Code Council cycle and correcting Chapter 6 layout issues.
The Liberal City Council on a 4-0 vote adopted Ordinance No. 4631 to amend Chapter 6 of the city ordinance and adopt the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) building codes.
City building official, speaking to the council, said the ordinance "corrects some layout problems with the existing chapter 6 of city ordinance" and moves the city from the 2015 building codes to the 2024 ICC cycle. "We've been, you know, we're 10 years behind on the we've been you know, we're 10 years behind on building codes. It's time to make a jump up to the newer ones," the official said.
The official told the council that most changes that will affect local homeowners are in the International Residential Code, including expanded requirements for arc-fault and ground-fault circuit interrupter protection. "The 24 codes do get pretty close to 75% of the house's arc fault and GFCI, which is to protect the citizens," the official said, noting national statistics linking arc faults to the majority of house fires.
Vice Mayor Landry moved to adopt the ordinance and Commissioner Parsons seconded. With Mayor Laura, Vice Mayor Landry, Commissioner Parsons and Commissioner Ward all voting in favor, the motion passed 4-0.
The ordinance also addresses layout and formatting problems in the existing municipal code to align the local ordinance with the adopted 2024 code language. The council did not hear public comment on the item.
City staff noted the change will increase some electrical safety requirements in residential construction. No effective-date language beyond the normal ordinance adoption timeline was presented at the meeting. The council adopted the ordinance as printed and directed staff to implement the fee and code changes through the fee schedule and other administrative updates.
