Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Code Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Memphis and Shelby County advance building-code changes aimed at lowering costs for middle-scale housing
Summary
Committee advanced joint ordinances to amend 2021 construction codes — removing mandatory ICC 500 storm shelters for some projects and adding an Appendix M to encourage smaller multifamily development — aiming to lower upfront and ongoing costs to promote affordable housing.
A trio of joint ordinances on second reading passed Committee 5 on Oct. 22 to amend local adaptations of the 2021 International Construction Code and to revise storm shelter requirements for educational buildings while adding an Appendix M to promote middle-scale (smaller multifamily) housing.
Ron Bethea, administrator of Construction Enforcement, said the amendments serve two goals: reduce construction and ongoing maintenance costs by making certain ICC 500 storm shelters optional and promote smaller multifamily housing by allowing an alternative building design that strengthens passive fire protection while eliminating some active-suppression maintenance costs. He told commissioners the changes apply across Memphis, unincorporated Shelby County and to municipalities covered by interlocal enforcement agreements.
Commissioner Brooks pressed for clarity about the difference between the two joint ordinances; Bethea explained one ordinance applies to the 'building code' for new construction while the other applies to the 'existing building code' for altered or repurposed structures. Commissioners asked whether the changes apply across the city and to affordable-housing objectives; Bethea said the appendix is intended to promote development of smaller multifamily housing and thereby expand supply and lower tenant costs.
All three items were approved in committee with favorable recommendations and will move to the full commission for final action.
