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Story County directs staff to pursue adoption of a county building code to address unsafe housing
Summary
Supervisors instructed staff to draft an ordinance and gather cost estimates to adopt a countywide building code (excluding agriculturally exempt structures), citing recent tenant complaints and gaps in enforcement.
Story County supervisors on Jan. 27 directed planning and environmental health staff to proceed with drafting an ordinance and return with implementation costs for adopting a countywide building code.
Planning and environmental health staff told the board they surveyed nearby jurisdictions and found most have adopted codes; staff highlighted recent cases where the county lacked enforcement authority, including a rental unit the office could not require the owner to repair despite exposed wiring and an inability to maintain 63°F.
Staff said building codes would apply to most structures in unincorporated county areas except agriculturally exempt uses, and that adoption would require a public process and likely budget amendments to fund inspections or third-party inspection contracts. The staff presentation included a tentative timeline: draft regulations and cost estimates this spring, formal adoption between March and October, and enforcement beginning Nov. 2 if adopted.
Supervisors supported moving forward while asking staff to return with specific budget requests and implementation choices. One staff member said: "We can't do anything to help you" when describing current limits without a code, and supervisors framed the work as a public-safety improvement for county residents.
Next steps: Staff will draft the ordinance, request quotes for inspection services, estimate staff impacts and present a funding plan to the board.
