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Junction City staff to draft ordinance requiring lockboxes for new multiunit buildings
Summary
Fire Inspector Bob Trout told council firefighters use master-key lockboxes to access apartments and recommended requiring lockboxes for new commercial buildings and apartment complexes over four units; staff and legal counsel were directed to draft an ordinance and return it to council.
Fire Inspector Bob Trout told the Junction City Council on Tuesday that lockboxes containing keys are already used by the department and can reduce property damage and delay during emergency responses.
"We actually have a master key for those, and it is keyed for Junction City," Trout said, showing a sample box and describing how firefighters store master keys on their apparatus to access apartment units and commercial buildings safely.
Trout said his preference is to require lockboxes for new commercial construction with sprinkler systems and for apartment complexes greater than four units. He estimated the city‑keyed “super box” option runs about $200, while Knox‑brand boxes typically cost more.
Council asked about cost impacts for property owners and whether the city has examples of ordinances. Trout said he has provided sample language and can convert his memo into an ordinance for council review. City attorney staff confirmed they will work with staff to draft ordinance language and return it at a future meeting.
Council did not take a final vote Tuesday; the direction to staff and legal counsel was to prepare ordinance language and return it for formal consideration.
