[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinances codified herein include portions of Ordinance Nos. 81-A, 82-228, 83-446, 84-509, 84-600, 90-384, 92-318, 2000-173, 2002-180 and 2004-127.Ordinance 92-603 abolished the department of construction and engineering, the department of transportation, the department of public service and the department of water pollution control. All duties and references to these departments found in this chapter shall be under the jurisdiction of the department of public works. Construction Rules and Regulations for the City of Davenport
[Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
The specifications and regulations which are mentioned by title and date below are hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this title when not in conflict with a specific statement contained herein.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
The International Building Code, 2021 edition as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference as the building code for the City of Davenport.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
The International Residential Code 2021 edition as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference as the residential building code for the City of Davenport.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
The International Existing Building Code 2021 edition as published by the International Code Council and as adopted and amended by the State of Iowa LAC 661-301.7(103A) is hereby adopted by as the existing building code for the City of Davenport.
[Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
The provisions of the International Residential Code for One- and Two- Family Dwellings shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, use and occupancy of detached one- and two- family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures.
The Provisions of the International Building Code and The International Existing Building Code shall apply to all other buildings and structures except as otherwise exempted in this code and as otherwise provided for above under the International Residential Code for One- and Two- Family Dwellings.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Chapters 1, 12, 13, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, and 33 of the International Building Code, 2021 edition are deleted in their entirety and replaced by the codes and rules referenced by this Chapter and the Administrative Code contained in this Title as Chapter 15.08 and the Iowa Administrative Code.
B. 
Appendix chapters C, I, of the International Building Code, 2021 edition are hereby adopted as part of this Chapter. All other appendix chapters are deleted.
C. 
Delete all references to the International Plumbing Code and insert in lieu thereof "State Plumbing Code."
D. 
Delete all references to the International Mechanical Code and insert in lieu thereof "State Mechanical Code."
E. 
Delete all references to the International Fire Code and insert in lieu thereof "Fire Code as adopted by the City of Davenport."
F. 
Delete all references to "National Fuel Gas Code" and insert in lieu thereof "Fuel Gas Piping requirements of Iowa Administrative Code 641-25.3(105), Fuel gas piping." Fuel gas piping shall comply with the State Plumbing Code.
[Amended 12-4-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-530]
NOTE:
1. 
All permits and regulations for the construction, encroachment and installation or maintenance within the public right-of-way and upon dedicated storm, sewer and access easements and the installation of public sidewalks, curb cuts, and drives are administered by the Department of Construction and Engineering.
2. 
See the Sign Ordinance of the City of Davenport for limitations on the encroachment of signs onto public property.
3. 
See Chapter 15.44 of the Davenport Municipal Code for development for construction within a flood hazard area.
4. 
See Iowa Administrative Code 641 Chapter 25 for the regulation of plumbing, potable water supply, drain, waste and venting and hydronic systems servicing buildings.
5. 
See Iowa Administrative Code 641 Chapter 61 for the regulation of heating, air-conditioning and mechanical systems for environmental conditions and process within buildings.
6. 
See Iowa Administrative Code 661 Chapter 504 and Chapter 15.16 of the Davenport Municipal Code for standards for electrical work.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Add a new paragraph to Section 1809 as follows:
All buildings or portions of buildings containing mechanical installations and connected to underground utilities shall be supported on a continuous, frost-free foundation capable of resisting the movement of the slab-on-grade.
[4-13-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-183]
Editor's Note: History for the previously "Reserved" section includes Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part).
Elevator shafts opening directly into a fire resistance rated corridor or stairwell shall be protected by self-closing doors actuated by smoke detection in accordance with International Building Code section 716.5.9.3 ( Smoke-activated doors). Hoistway opening protection shall not be required on the level of exit discharge.
[Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Delete Chapter 33 of the 2015 International Building Code in its entirety and replace as follows:
Chapter 33
DEMOLITION PROCEDURES
3314.1 Completion. All demolition work shall be completed within 30 days from the commencing date of demolition. An extension of time may be granted by the building official.
3314.2 Site work. A Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control (COSESCO) Demolition permit application must be obtained from the Natural Resources Division of Public Works and submitted for review. The fee for a COSESCO demolition permit is $75 per lot and is valid for one year. By obtaining a COSESCO Demolition permit the contractor agrees to meet the terms and specifications outlined in Section 13.38 of Davenport Municipal Code. And this section as follows:
3314.2.1 Site clearing. The demolition site shall be cleared of all debris associated with the structures being removed. All mechanical groundwork shall be removed from the site of demolition. Foundation walls may be used as solid fill and in all cases shall be removed or collapsed so as to allow burial below grade. Basement and on grade concrete slabs shall be removed or substantially pulverized to allow adequate drainage.
3314.2.2 Backfill and site finish. Demolition work shall include site work as necessary to fill all excavations and to create a smooth and even finish grade capable of supporting vegetation. Materials and specifications for filling and final site work are as follows: Only material that will not decompose in the ground shall be used for filling all excavations to within one foot of the top of the surrounding grade. The top one foot of fill material shall be tillable soil, of which the formed aggregate does not exceed 1 1/2 inches. An earthen crown shall be provided at the center of the demolition site to allow for proper site drainage. Final site work shall include the spreading of a grass seed blend suitable for the site and able to provide adequate ground cover and protection from erosion of soil.
3314.2.3 Excavations. The top and bottom of cut slopes shall be made no closer than two feet to the site boundaries. All excavated sites with a difference in elevation from the adjoining grade level of 30 inches or more shall be filled and graded to a maximum slope of two horizontal to one vertical. Sloped sites exceeding 12' vertical height shall be graded to a maximum slope of three horizontal to one vertical or shall be held in place by permanent retaining walls equipped with guardrails. The Building Official may require engineered designs for any retaining system.
3314.2.4 Utility abandonment. The demolition shall not commence and no permit shall be granted prior to the abandonment of the gas and electric and water service by the serving utility and abandonment of the sewer service at the street, alley, or other location as approved by the Department of Construction and Engineering. Care must be exercised not to cut off any sewer or water service that may serve another building or installation. A permit secured from the Construction and Engineering Department will be required for the excavation in a public way. The Building Official may waive this requirement.
B. 
Add a new section to Chapter 33 as follows:
SECTION 3315
MOVING OF BUILDINGS
3315.1 Permit authorization. No permit for foundation work, excavation, or site development shall be granted by the building official for the relocation of a moved building and no permit for moving of any structure shall be granted without the written approval of the Director of the Transportation Department. Such written approval shall designate the approved route, designate the time and duration of the move along public streets and any other restrictions deemed necessary by the Director of Transportation. Such approvals shall be subject to review by any public utility having property along the proposed route. The Director of Transportation shall also notify the fire chief and police chief of the intended route and shall continue such notification for the duration of the moving, indicating any change in the route and any pause in the moving procedure.
3315.2 Use of public right-of-way. No building or structure shall be allowed to remain over night upon any street or public right-of-way, nor shall any such moving restrict, at any time, access to any fire hydrant or necessary emergency equipment.
3315.3 Notification. Every person receiving a permit to move a building shall, within one day after the building reaches its destination, report that fact to the Director of Transportation. The Director of Transportation shall thereupon inspect the streets, alleys or public ground over which the house or building has been moved and shall ascertain the condition of same. If the moving has caused any damage to said public right-of-way, repairs shall be made and all costs shall be assessed against the party having been granted the permit for the moving of the building or structure.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Chapter 1 of the International Residential Code 2021 edition is deleted and replaced by the codes and rules referenced by this Chapter and the Administrative Code contained in this Title as Chapter 15. 08 and the Iowa Administrative Code.
B. 
Part IV, Part V, Part VI, (fuel gas code) Part VII, Part VIII, of the 2021 International Residential are deleted in their entirety and replaced by applicable Chapters of this Title.
C. 
Appendix Chapter H, of the 2021 International Residential Code is hereby adopted as part of this Chapter all other appendix chapters are deleted.
D. 
Delete all references to the International Plumbing Code and insert in lieu thereof "State Plumbing Code."
E. 
Delete all references to the International Mechanical Code and insert in lieu thereof "State Mechanical Code."
F. 
Delete all references to the International Fire Code and insert in lieu thereof "Fire Code as adopted by the City of Davenport."
G. 
Delete all references to National Fuel Gas Code and insert in lieu thereof "Fuel Gas Piping requirements of Iowa Administrative Code 641-25.3(105) Fuel gas piping. Fuel gas piping shall comply with the State Plumbing Code.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; 12-4-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-530; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Table R301.2(1) is amended by adding the following information:
Table R301.2 Climatic and Geographic Criteria
Ground Snow Load
Wind Design
Seismic Design Categoryf
Subject to Damage From
Speedd
(mph)
Topographic Effectsk
Special Wind Regionl
Wind-borne Debris Zonem
Weatheringa
Frost line Depthb
Termitec
Ps = 30 psf, except that calculations for additional drift loads shall use a ground snow load p9 = 25 psf
115
YES
YES
NO
A
SEVERE
42 inches
Moderate to Heavy
Winter Design Tempe
Ice Barrier Underlayment Requiredh
Flood Hazardsg
Air Freezing Indexi
Mean Annual Tempj
-4° F
YES
Initial NFIP 4-14-1978 FIRM #170582 4-5-2010
2000
50.5° F.
B. 
Delete Paragraph R302.13 in its entirety.
C. 
Delete Paragraph R310.1 and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:
R310.1 "Emergency Escape and Rescue Required." Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency rescue opening. Such opening shall open directly into a public street, public alley, yard or court. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement when so provided. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided, they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above an adjacent permanent interior standing surface. The adjacent permanent interior standing surface shall be no less than 36 inches wide and 18 inches deep and no more than 24 inches high. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with section R310.3. The net clear opening dimension required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opening from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with section R310.2. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
EXCEPTION: Basements used only to house mechanical equipment and not exceeding total floor areas of 200 square feet
D. 
R311.7.8.2 Continuity. Add "Exception 3. Handrails within a dwelling unit or serving an individual dwelling unit may have one (1) offset or interruption per flight of stairs, not both, of six inches in total length and shall be considered, for the purpose of this code, to be continuous."
E. 
Amend Paragraph R313.1 "Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses consisting of five or more townhouse units."
F. 
Delete Paragraph R313.2 "One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems" in its entirety.
Note: Chapter 15.44 of the Davenport Municipal Code for development or construction within a flood hazard area.
G. 
Delete Section R322, "Flood Resistant Construction," in its entirety.
H. 
Delete Section R323 in its entirety. (FEMA regulations apply for storm shelter).
I. 
Delete Section R327 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following new section:
R327 " Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs." The design and construction of pools and spas shall comply with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Chapter 305 entitled "Barrier Requirements."
H.1. Section 305.4 Modified. Delete all reference to windows.
[Amended 11-13-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-465; Ord. 2016-551 § 1 (part)]
A. 
Delete table R403.1(1) table 403.1(2) and table 403.1(3), and replace with the following table R403.1.
Table R403.1
Concrete, Precast or Masonry Footings and Foundation
Number of Floors Supported by the Foundation
Thickness of Foundation Walls
(inches)
Minimum Width Footing
(inches)
Thickness of Footing
(inches)
Minimum Depth of Foundation Below Natural Surface of Ground or Finish Grade (whichever is lower) (inches)
1
8
16
8
42
2
8
16
8
42
3
10
18
12
42
Note:
1.
Foundations may support a roof in addition to the stipulated number of floors. Foundations supporting roofs only shall be as required for supporting 1 floor.
2.
Footings shall be continuous and contain a minimum of 2, 1/2 inch reinforcement bars, and shall have a minimum compressive strength of 2,500 pounds per square inch at 28 days.
3.
A 1 story wood frame building used for private garage, and accessory to a single family residential use and not exceeding 720 square feet in floor area may be constructed on a floating slab-on-grade provided the following conditions are met: A concrete perimeter grade-beam, 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide and reinforced with 2, 1/2 inch reinforcement bars shall be installed to support the exterior walls. A minimum four-inch thick concrete floor slab reinforced with wire mesh or fiber mesh shall be installed within the perimeter beam and shall be formed to allow a continuous pour consisting of the required grade beam and floor.
4.
Buildings or portions of buildings containing mechanical installations and connected to underground utilities shall be supported on a continuous, frost-free foundation capable of resisting the movement of the slab-on-grade.
5.
Cast-in-place concrete foundation walls shall be concrete having a minimum compressive strength at 28 days of not less than 3,000 pounds per square inch. The minimum thickness of a wall shall be 7 1/2 inches.
Walls shall be reinforced with no less than 3, 1/2 inch diameter deformed ASTM A615 grade 40 steel bars placed horizontally at the center of the wall, with one bar located near the top, one bar located near the bottom, and one bar located near mid-height of the wall.
B. 
Delete Paragraph R403.1 "General" in its entirety and replace in lieu thereof the following:
All exterior walls shall be supported on continuous solid or fully grouted masonry or concrete footings which shall be of sufficient design to accommodate all loads according to Section R301 of the 2021 International Residential Code. Footings shall be supported on undisturbed natural soil or engineered fill.
C. 
Amend Section R403 by adding the following paragraph(s):
R403.1.1(2) Deck Footings. Deck footings NOT supporting a roof or over head structure may be a minimum 12 inches in diameter and 42 inches below finished grade.
R403.1.1(3) Covered Deck and Room Addition Footings. All covered decks, screened porches; three season rooms, four season rooms, room additions, and similar structures, shall be supported on foundations compliant with Table R403.1 or conforming to one of the following methods:
1. 
Pier footings designed by a design professional.
2. 
Twelve inch wide reinforced trench footing 42 inches in depth.
3. 
Spread footings 42 inches in depth with a minimum eight inch masonry wall or concrete foundation wall as per Figure 404.1.3.1(A).