City of Beaumont, TX Residential Code

Section R105.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Building.
1.	Fences not over 6 feet (1,829 mm) high.
2.	Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
3.	Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
4.	Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
5.	Swings and other playground equipment.
6.	Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
Electrical.
1.	Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2.	Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
3.	Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location.
4.	Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5.	Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
Gas.
1.	Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
2.	Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Mechanical.
1.	Portable heating appliances.
2.	Portable ventilation appliances.
3.	Portable cooling units.
4.	Steam, hot, or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by (this code).
5.	Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6.	Portable evaporative coolers.
7.	Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8.	Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Plumbing.
1.	The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2.	The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, and fixtures.
Homestead.
1.	Homeowners able to prove homesteading at a single-family residence are allowed to perform repair work without a permit. Repair work does not include a detached or attached addition to the property, or any work that will alter the floor plan, windows, exterior doors, siding, roofing, or MEP's (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) within the walls or attic.
2.	If permits are required and the work is performed by the homeowner, the homeowner is allowed a total of two (2) failed inspections by trade before they are required to get a professional involved.
3.	This clause does not apply to landlords.

(b)

Section R108.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section R108.2 Schedule of permit fees. See Section 24.01.002, adoption of fee schedule, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Beaumont.

(c)

Section R113.4.1 is hereby added to read as follows:

Section R113.4.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with any provision of this code. Each such person deemed guilty of a violation shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00); provided, where such fine is for an offense for which the state law imposes a fine, the fine imposed by the Municipal Court shall be the same as the fine for each such like offense under the state law. Each day any violation of any provision of this code continues after due notice has been served shall constitute a separate offense.

(d)

Section R301.2.1.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

R301.2.1.1. Wind limitations and wind design required. In regions where the basic wind speeds from figure R301.2(4)B equal or exceed 100 miles per hour (45 m/s) in hurricane-prone regions, or 110 miles per hour (49 m/s) elsewhere, the design of buildings shall be in accordance with one of the following methods. The elements of design not addressed by those documents in items 1 through 5 shall be in accordance with this code.
1.	American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) Wood Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (WFCM); or
2.	All new residential and additions, construction and reroofs, shall comply to the International Code Council Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600-2020) and the Texas Windstorm Inspection Program. Inspections shall be performed by a qualified engineer.
3.	ASCE Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7).
4.	American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing-Prescriptive Method for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (AISI S230).
5.	International Building Code.
Where ASCE 7 or the International Building Code is used for the design of the building, the wind speed map and exposure category requirements as specified in ASCE 7 and the International Building Code shall be used.

(e)

Section R313.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby repealed.

(f)

Section R319.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section R319.1 Address numbers. Temporary addresses shall be posted at the beginning of construction, and placed on a 2 ft x 2 ft wooden placard placed at the edge of the street, and remain in place until structure is finished and permanent address has been installed. Buildings shall have approved permanent address numbers, building numbers, or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole, or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

(g)

Section R322 of the International Residential Code is hereby repealed.

(h)

Section R403.1.3.3 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section R403.1.3.3. Slabs-on-ground with turned down footings. Slabs-on-ground with turned down footings shall have a minimum of five (5) No. 5 bars in the footing, minimum footing width for a one (1) story is 15 inches. Minimum footing width for a two (2) story is 18 inches. Minimum footing depth is 20 inches, footing shall be placed at least 6 inches below the undisturbed ground surface. All slabs on grade shall have a clear vapor barrier. Minimum elevation shall be 12 inches above the crown of the street.

(i)

Section R506.2.3 exception 5 of the International Residential Code is added:

Section R506.2.3 Exception 5. A minimum of 6-mil vapor retarder is used.

(j)

Table N1102.1.3 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Table N1102.1.3. Ceiling R-Value for Climate Zone 2 38.

(k)

Section N1103.6 of the International Residential Code is hereby clarified as follows: Buildings and dwelling units shall be provided with mechanical ventilation that complies with the requirements of Section M1505 or with other approved means of ventilation. Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have either automatic gravity dampers that close when the ventilation system is not operating. Automatic dampers shall be either mechanical or motorized. Standard 6" sizing shall be required unless approved by the Chief Mechanical Inspector or the contractor can prove an exception in manual J or S.

(l)

Section M1305.1.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section M1305.1.2 Appliances in attics. Attics containing appliances shall be provided with an opening and a clear and unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance, but not less than 30 inches (762 mm) high and 22 inches (559 mm) wide and not more than 20 feet (6,096 mm) long measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance. The passageway shall have continuous solid flooring in accordance with Chapter 5 not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide. A level service space at least 30 inches (762 mm) deep and 30 inches (762 mm) wide shall be present along all sides of the appliance where access is required. The clear access opening dimensions shall be a minimum of 20 inches by 30 inches (508 mm by 762 mm) and large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance. Exceptions:
1.	The passageway and level service space are not required where the appliance can be serviced and removed through the required opening.
2.	Where the passageway is unobstructed and not less than 6 feet (1,829 mm) high and 22 inches (559 mm) wide for its entire length, the passageway shall be not more than 50 feet (15,250 mm) long.
3.	In all type R construction a pull-down stairway shall be installed for appliance access.

(m)

Section M1502.4.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section M1502.4.1 Material and size. Exhaust ducts shall be 4 inches (102 mm) nominal in diameter. Exhaust ducts shall have a smooth interior finish and be constructed of metal having a minimum thickness of 0.0157 inches (0.3950 mm) (No. 28 gage), or schedule 40 PVC when used in concrete slabs.

(n)

Section P2503.5.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby clarified as follows:

1.	Water Test. Inaccessible piping under the foundation shall be filled with water to a point not less than 10 feet above the top of the main. Top out test shall be tested with 5 feet from floor level, on each floor level necessary.

(o)

Section P2902.6.4 of the International Residential Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Section P2902.6.4 Identification of pressure sewer piping. The distribution pipe shall be class 200 in the color of green with labeling tape stating "sewer" with a green background. The tape shall be installed on the top of the pipe and backfilled properly.

(p)

Section P2903.1.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby added to read as follows: In consideration of the moist air conditions of Inland Coastal 2 Climate Zone, manufactured pipe nipples shall be brass or stainless for any permanent water system.

(q)

Section P2903.8.5 of the International Residential Code is hereby repealed.

(r)

Section P2906.5.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Section P2906.5.1 Under concrete slabs. Underground inaccessible water distribution piping under building slabs shall be copper tubing minimum type "L" or "K."

(s)

Section P3002.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section P3002.1. Piping within buildings. Drain, waste and vent piping in buildings shall be schedule 40 PVC pipe and fitting, or copper tubing and fitting.

(t)

Section P3002.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section P3002.2. Building sewer. Building sewer main piping shall be a minimum of four (4) inches and conform to P3002.1. Branches outside of the foundation shall be sized appropriately. Six (6) inch and larger sewer shall be SDR 26 or better.

(u)

Section P3108.1.1 of the International Residential Code is hereby added to read as follows:

Section P3108.1.1 Wet Venting Permitted excluding the first story.

(v)

Section P3114.3 of the International Residential Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section P3114.3. Where permitted. Individual vents, branch vents, circuit vents, and stack vents shall be permitted to terminate with a connection to an air admittance valve. Individual and branch-type air admittance valves shall vent only kitchen & bar-type sinks that are on the same floor level and connect to a horizontal branch drain. Where the air admittance valve terminates a branch greater than 10' it shall be provided a relief vent in the nearest wall. A relief vent shall be defined as a combination supplying both a vent and the remaining branch to the air admittance valve.

(w)

Section E3601.1.2 of the International Residential Code is hereby added to read as follows:

E3601.1.2 Required power source. Electrical system shall be provided with service from the public utility company or a power source approved by the Building Official. Portable generators may only be used when service is not available from a public utility company or an approved power source or when approved by the Building Official for temporary power.

(Ordinance 01-100, sec. 1, adopted 12/18/01; 1978 Code, sec. 6-174; Ordinance 10-057, sec. 26, adopted 8/3/10; Ordinance 17-008, sec. 6, adopted 2/7/17; Ordinance 24-011 adopted 3/19/2024)