Sumner County staff recommended that the county adopt new exterior-building requirements into Chapter 5 of the county's property maintenance and health-and-safety standards and set a 90-day limit for shipping-container-style storage on private property.

The recommendation, discussed at the meeting, would import the exterior-structure provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code into the county's Chapter 5 while stopping short of adopting the International Property Maintenance Code in full because much of that code addresses interior conditions staff said would be intrusive to inspect. County staff said the amended Chapter 5 will go to the Planning Commission to check zoning consistency, then to legislative review and back to the county commission.

Staff told commissioners they had tried to define a single percentage threshold for "dilapidated" exterior conditions but found the measure too subjective. Instead, staff said they copied the International Property Maintenance Code's more prescriptive exterior provisions into Chapter 5 so inspectors have clearer standards for exterior violations.

On storage containers, staff proposed a 60-day window for owners to complete work after delivery, but commissioners expressed concerns about contractor availability and supply-chain delays. After discussion, commissioners agreed to a 90-day limit for on-site storage containers before enforcement action, with staff noting the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) could issue additional short extensions in cases of demonstrated progress. Staff also referenced a contingency option allowing up to an additional 30 days where forward progress is being made.

Meeting participants emphasized the county intended to be reactive rather than conducting interior inspections or pursuing complaints that do not show a public-safety risk. Staff said they had consulted the county attorney, Steve Weiner, and concluded that inspecting interiors would be too intrusive, which was a reason for adopting only exterior-focused provisions from the model code.

At the meeting the group agreed the edited Chapter 5 document, including the 90-day container provision and other changes, will be published in the meeting minutes and forwarded to the Planning Commission for consistency review before legislative review and final action. The minutes will reflect the recommended changes and any formal vote recorded at the next meeting.

Votes at this meeting included a procedural approval of the prior meeting's minutes. The formal recommendation on the revised Chapter 5 was made and discussed; commissioners indicated agreement on the 90-day container limit and the plan to forward the document for zoning and legislative review, and staff said the finalized language will be included in the published minutes for the next meeting.