(a) 
The city council hereby adopts the following building codes and incorporates them herein by reference as if copied verbatim, with local amendments (section 4.02.002), as the building codes that will govern in the city:
(1) 
2015 International Fuel Gas Code;
(2) 
2015 International Building Code;
(3) 
2015 International Residential Code;
(4) 
2015 International Fire Code;
(5) 
2015 International Plumbing Code;
(6) 
2015 International Mechanical Code;
(7) 
2015 International Energy Conservation Code;
(8) 
2015 International Existing Building Code; and
(9) 
2014 National Electrical Code.
(b) 
The 2015 International Residential Code means the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings promulgated by the International Code Council; shall apply to all construction, alteration, remodeling, removal, demolition, movement, enlargement, replacement, equipment, use and occupancy, location, and repair of residential structures in the city. The International Residential Code shall not apply to the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and related components.
(c) 
The 2015 International Building Code means the International Building Code promulgated by the International Code Council; shall apply to any construction, alteration, remodeling, removal, demolition, movement, enlargement, replacement, equipment, use and occupancy, location, and repair of commercial structures in the city. The International Building Code shall not apply to the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and related components. “Commercial” as used in this section has the same definition as contained in Texas Local Government Code section 214.211(5).
(d) 
All other codes adopted by this section shall apply to any construction, alteration, remodeling, removal, demolition, movement, enlargement, replacement, equipment, use and occupancy, location, and repair of any structure in the city.
(Ordinance 2015-334A, sec. 2, adopted 4/8/15)
(a) 
General amendments to all adopted codes.
(1) 
Each reference to “Jurisdiction”, “AHJ”, or a location or an insertion of name of jurisdiction shall mean the City of Blanco, TX.
(2) 
The fee schedule as adopted by the City of Blanco supersedes any fees notated in the codes.
(b) 
2015 International Building Code.
(1) 
Appendix C - Group U (Agricultural Buildings) and appendix J (Grading) are adopted by ordinance.
(2) 
All references to insulation or thermo-ply for use as a draft stop or fire stop is deleted. The use of these materials as a draft stop or fire stop is prohibited.
(3) 
Appendix K (Administrative Provisions) is adopted by ordinance.
(4) 
Appendix G (Flood-Resistant Construction) is adopted by ordinance.
(c) 
2015 International Plumbing Code.
(1) 
Appendix B (Rates of Rainfall) and appendix C (Structural Safety) and appendix E (Sizing of Water Piping System) are adopted by ordinance.
(2) 
Section 305.4.1: The sewer depth shall be a minimum of 6 inches below grade.
(3) 
Section 312.2 (Drainage and Vent Water Test) is amended to read: Each section of the drain, waste and vent installation shall be tested to a minimum of 2 feet above the highest flood level rim in the section.
(4) 
Section 715.1 (Sewage Backflow) is amended to read: All sewer lines connected to the City of Blanco’s sewer system shall have a backwater valve installed.
(5) 
Section 903.1: Plumbing vents shall terminate a minimum of 6 inches above the roof.
(6) 
Section 918.3: The building official may approve the use of air admittance valves as a vent of last resort.
(d) 
2015 International Mechanical Code.
None.
(e) 
2015 International Fuel Gas Code.
None.
(f) 
2014 National Electrical Code.
(1) 
Non-metallic cable (NMC) shall be a minimum of 12-2 for all branch circuits. 14-2 NMC is prohibited.
(2) 
Aluminum wiring is prohibited.
(3) 
Refrigerators and freezers shall be installed on a dedicated circuit.
(4) 
Concrete encased electrodes in section 250-52 is the preferred grounding method in rocky soils within the city limits.
(g) 
2015 International Residential Code.
(1) 
Appendix C (Exit Terminals for Direct Vent Appliances) and appendix E (Manufactured Housing) are adopted by ordinance.
(2) 
Section R105.2, Work Exempt from Permits:
(A) 
Fences not over 7 feet high (deleted)
(3) 
Table R301.2:
Design Criteria adopted:
(A) 
Ground Snow Load - 0 to 5
(B) 
Wind Design - 90 miles per hour (no special topographical effect)
(C) 
Seismic Design Category - A
(D) 
Weathering - Negligible
(E) 
Frost Line Depth - less than 6 inches
(F) 
Termites - Moderate
(G) 
Winter Design Temperature - 32 degrees
(H) 
Summer Design Temperature - 90 degrees - Hot and Humid environment
(I) 
Flood Hazard - Current FEMA maps
(J) 
Mean Annual Temperature - 70 degrees
(K) 
Rainfall - 4.25 inches per hour, 100-year
(4) 
Section R311, Means of Egress, 311.2: Front door shall be a minimum of 36 inches wide and 78 inches tall.
(5) 
Section R315: Carbon monoxide alarms are optional, not mandatory.
(6) 
Section P2904 is deleted.
(7) 
Section P3114: The building official may approve the use of air admittance valves as a vent of last resort.
(8) 
Part VIII, Electrical, is deleted in its entirety. Electrical systems shall be installed under the 2008 [2014] National Electrical Code and local amendments.
(h) 
2015 International Existing Building Code.
(1) 
Appendix B (Supplemental Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings and Facilities) and Resource A (Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies) are adopted by ordinance.
(i) 
2009 [2015] International Energy Conservation Code.
None.
(Ordinance 2015-334A, att. A, adopted 4/8/15)
(a) 
The building inspector is hereby established and shall be appointed by the city council.
(b) 
Duties of the building inspector shall be to enforce the regulations, keep accurate records and submit a copy to city hall, issue a stop work order which shall be posted on-site, inspect placement of mobile homes, modular homes and industrialized housing to insure installation according to the state department of housing and community affairs, and report monthly to the city council on all inspections and findings.
(c) 
[The building inspector shall] Collect permit applications taken by city hall.
(d) 
With the approval of the city council, the building inspector may deputize such employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the building inspector.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 2, adopted 5/11/87)
(a) 
Application for excavation, grading or drainage permit.
Excavation, grading and drainage permit applications shall have in writing:
(1) 
Name, address and phone number of owner.
(2) 
Name, address and phone number of contractor.
(3) 
Describe proposed work.
(4) 
Specify proposed start and ending date.
(5) 
Signature of owner.
(6) 
Applicable fee and any other information required by the inspector.
(b) 
Application for moving permit.
Moving permit applications shall have in writing:
(1) 
Name, address and phone number of owner.
(2) 
Name, address and phone number of mover.
(3) 
Present location of building.
(4) 
Proposed new location of building.
(5) 
Proof of liability insurance.
(6) 
Route of moving along with approval sheet from the chief of police which contains:
(A) 
Name and address of owner.
(B) 
Proposed route of moving.
(C) 
Exact time and day of moving.
(D) 
Size of building and the applicable permit fee.
(c) 
Blasting permits.
Blasting permits will not be allowed in the city or the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
(d) 
Application for building permit.
Building permit applications shall contain:
(1) 
Name, address and phone number of owner.
(2) 
Name, address and phone number of builder.
(3) 
Address and legal description of property.
(4) 
State the use of occupancy along with site plan in duplicate, applicable fees, and construction plans in duplicate which will contain: scaled floor plan, location and symbols of all electrical equipment, switches and outlets, and location of all plumbing, foundation footings, porches, walkways and all detached buildings along with any other information required by the inspector.
(e) 
Expiration of permit.
Permits will expire if permitted work has not commenced in six (6) months and if permitted work is not completed in twelve (12) months.
(f) 
Fees.
Permit fees will be established by the city council to cover the cost of administration, inspections and other costs related to this section.
(g) 
Non-structure repairs.
All non-structure repairs will not require a permit. Non-structure repairs are repairs or decorative additions that do not alter or add to the existing structure or affect the structural integrity of the building.
(h) 
Plumbing and electrical work.
Plumbing and electrical work will require obtaining a permit.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 3, adopted 5/11/87; Ordinance 305 adopted 7/9/91)
(a) 
Site inspection.
Site inspection to insure no infringement of apparent easements and property lines.
(b) 
Foundation inspection.
Foundation inspection to be made after all forms, trenches, steel and plumbing are in place just prior to pouring of concrete. A large penalty will be applied if this inspection has not been made by the inspector prior to pouring of concrete.
(c) 
Framing inspection.
Framing inspection to be made after the roof, all framing, fire-blocking and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys and vents are complete.
(d) 
Other inspections.
Plumbing, electrical, gas, heating, ventilation and air conditioning to be made when all pipes are in place, supports connected, meter located, and vent take-off, water heater location and trap arms are complete. The mechanical inspection shall be done when all duct work and vents are in place and furnace closets and/or attic platform and catwalk are completed.
(e) 
Final inspection.
Final inspection to be made when the building is completed and ready for occupancy.
(f) 
Excavation and drainage inspection.
Excavation and drainage inspection to be made when the inspector deems necessary to insure compliance with growth of vegetation to deter erosion.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 4, adopted 5/11/87)
No building or structure shall be occupied and no change in existing occupancy shall be made until the city inspector has issued a certificate of occupancy for such, which shall contain:
(1) 
Certification that the building complies with this article.
(2) 
Use and occupancy.
(3) 
Permit number.
(4) 
Name, address and phone number of owner.
(5) 
Address of the building.
(6) 
Signature of city inspector.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 5, adopted 5/11/87)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, demolish, blast, excavate, grade, convert, equip, use or occupy, or maintain any building or structure or any portion of any building or structure in the city contrary to or in violation of any pertinent provisions of this article, or to cause, permit or suffer the same to be done.
(b) 
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day, or portion thereof, during which any violation of any provision of this article is committed, continued, or permitted, and upon the conviction of any such violation such person shall be punishable by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense.
(c) 
Prosecution or conviction under this provision shall never be a bar to any other remedy or relief for violation of this article.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 6, adopted 5/11/87; Ordinance adopting Code)
Any development of construction, earth or vegetation change requires the application for a permit from the floodplain administrator.
(Ordinance 270, sec. 8, adopted 5/11/87)