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Council holds first readings to update local building, residential and fire codes to 2024 editions
Summary
Council heard three first readings to update local code references from the 2018 to the 2024 editions of the International Residential, Building, and Fire Codes; staff proposed keeping the snow-load design value at 50 psf and delaying the new climatic chart by 180 days to protect in-progress projects, and noted state-level changes remove permit requirements for window/door replacements in owner-occupied homes.
The Watertown City Council held first readings on three ordinances to update local code references from the 2018 to the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC).
Community Development Manager Brandy Hinton said most changes are consistency and editorial updates tied to the new model codes. For the IRC, staff proposed one substantive local modification: retain the 2018 snow-load design criterion (50 pounds per square foot) rather than immediately adopting the higher 2024 climatic design values (cited in the meeting as about 64.4 psf) because the city has not seen roof collapse history and city goals include preserving housing affordability. Hinton said staff added language delaying effectiveness of the specific climatic and geographic design criteria chart for 180 days to avoid forcing applicants who are mid-project to redesign.
Hinton also noted that Senate Bill 3 (state-level legislation enacted this session) removed the city's ability to require permits for window and door replacements in owner-occupied homes when the opening size does not change; the draft code changes reflect that statutory change.
For the IBC, Hinton said most adjustments are cleanup between section numbers and a clarified exemption allowing multistory occupancies to provide the same amenities on the first floor as the second without triggering elevator requirements in certain cases, and councilmembers raised questions about how that would be communicated to residents. The IFC updates were likewise described as mostly editorial and organizational changes to align local ordinance sections with the IFC.
These were first readings only; staff said the proposals were discussed at a recent work session and no substantive opposition had been raised. Council did not take final votes on these ordinances at this meeting.
