The provisions of this chapter shall govern the design, construction, alteration, demolition, and moving of all buildings and structures.
These regulations shall be known and cited as the "Municipal Building Code" and shall be construed to secure their expressed intent and to ensure public safety, health and welfare insofar as they are dependent upon building construction.
[Amended 6-26-2017 by Ord. No. 1843-17; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The following state and national codes, as amended from time to time, are hereby adopted by the municipality and become a part of this chapter, used to govern the construction of one- and two-family, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings within the boundaries of the City of Reedsburg: Chs. SPS 305, 307, 316, 320-325, 327, 360-366, and 381-387, Wis. Adm. Code; Ch. 101, Wis. Stats.; the International Building Code (IBC); ANSI A117.1; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) barrier-free chapters 1 to 10;[1] the National Electric Code (NEC); and the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 13, 13d, 13r, 20, 24, 25 and 70.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
All buildings and structures hereafter erected, altered, repaired, moved or demolished that are used or designed to be used for the purpose herein defined shall comply in full with the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
Zoning laws. No provision of this chapter shall be construed an alternative to any lawful zoning regulations.
B. 
New buildings. The construction requirements of this chapter shall apply to one- and two-family dwellings, including row houses not exceeding two families, to their accessory structures, and to parts thereof which are hereafter erected.
C. 
Existing buildings. This chapter shall also apply to buildings and conditions described in this section:
(1) 
An existing building to be occupied as a one- or two-family dwelling, which building was not previously so occupied.
(2) 
An existing structure that is altered or repaired, when the cost of such alteration or repair exceeds 50% of the equalized value of the structure, said value to be determined by the assessor of the municipality.
(3) 
Additions and alterations, regardless of cost, made to an existing building, when deemed necessary in the opinion of the Building Inspector, shall comply with the requirements of this chapter for new buildings. The provisions of Subsection D shall also apply.
(4) 
Roof coverings. Whenever more than 25% of the roof covering of a dwelling is replaced in any twelve-month period, all roof covering shall be in conformity with applicable sections of this chapter.
(5) 
Additions and alterations. Any addition or alteration, regardless of cost, made to a dwelling shall be made in conformity with applicable sections of this chapter.
D. 
Alterations and repairs. The following provisions shall apply to buildings altered or repaired.
(1) 
Alterations. When not in conflict with any regulations, alterations to any existing building or structure accommodating a legal occupancy and use but of nonconforming type of construction which involves either the structural members of floors or roofs, beams, girders, columns, bearing or other walls, room, heating and air-conditioning systems, arrangement, light and ventilation, changes in location of exit stairways or exits, or any or all of the above, then such existing construction shall be made to conform to the minimum requirements of this chapter applicable to such occupancy and use and a given type of construction.
(2) 
Repairs. Repairs for purposes of maintenance, or replacements in any existing building or structure which do not involve the structural portions of the building or structure, or which do not affect room arrangement, light and ventilation, access to or efficiency of any exit stairways or exits, fire protection, or exterior aesthetic appearance and which do not increase a given occupancy and use shall be deemed "minor repairs."
(3) 
Alterations when not permitted. When any existing building or structure, which for any reason whatsoever does not conform to the regulations of this chapter, has deteriorated from any cause whatsoever to an extent greater than 50% of the equalized value of the building or structure, no alterations or moving of such building or structure may be permitted. Any such building or structure shall be considered a menace to public safety and welfare and shall be ordered vacated and thereafter demolished and debris removed from the premises. The site shall then be leveled with clean fill and seeded.
(4) 
Alterations and repairs required. When any of the structural members of any building or structure have deteriorated from any cause whatsoever to less than their required strength, the owner of such a building or structure shall cause such structural members to be restored to their required strength, failing in which the building or structure shall be considered a menace to public safety and shall be vacated and thereafter no further occupancy of use of the same shall be permitted until the regulations of this chapter are complied with.
(5) 
Extent of deterioration. The amount and extent of deterioration of any existing building or structure shall be determined by the Building Inspector.
(6) 
Use of unsanitary building. It shall be unlawful to occupy or use or permit the occupancy or use of any building or structure that is unsanitary or dilapidated, or deteriorated, or out-of-repair, thereby being unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, until the regulations of this chapter have been complied with.
E. 
Razing of buildings. The Building Inspector is hereby authorized to act for the municipality under the provisions of § 66.0413, Wis. Stats., relating to the razing of buildings, and all acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto. The municipal Treasurer is authorized to place the assessment and collect the special tax as therein provided.