The International Building Code, 2021 edition, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted as the building code of the city, said adoption being inclusive of appendices listed in subsections (1) through (11):
(1) 
Appendix A, Employee Qualifications.
(2) 
Appendix C, Group U - Agricultural Buildings.
(3) 
Appendix D, Fire Districts.
(4) 
Appendix E, Supplementary Accessibility Requirements.
(5) 
Appendix F, Rodent Proofing.
(6) 
Appendix G, Flood-Resistant Construction.
(7) 
Appendix H, Signs.
(8) 
Appendix I, Patio Covers.
(9) 
Appendix J, Grading.
(10) 
Appendix K, Administrative Provisions.
(11) 
Appendix O, Performance - Base Application.
(Ordinance 2022-O-05.25-02 adopted 5/25/2022; Ordinance 2024-O-023 adopted 9/25/2024)
The International Building Code, 2021 edition, is amended to read as follows:
(1) 
Section 101.1. Insert: City of Liberty Hill, Texas.
(2) 
Section 103.1. Insert: Development Services/Building Department.
(3) 
Subsection 105.1 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy classification of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. If the owner is to do the work him or herself, then the owner shall provide proof to the building official stating that he or she owns and presently occupies the building as his or her homestead.
An application for a building permit is required for property within the City limits, for property located in the City's extraterritorial jurisdiction that is part of a development agreement, or for property connected to the City's water or wastewater system, prior to placement, construction or alteration of a building or structure. Approval of an application for a building permit authorizes the property owner to construct, alter or place a structure on the lot, tract, or parcel. Approval of an application for a building permit also authorizes the property owner, upon completion of a structure intended for human occupancy, to make application for a certificate of occupancy.
(4) 
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions 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. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building:
(1) 
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
(5) 
New subsections 107.3.4.3 and 107.3.4.4 are hereby added to read as follows:
107.3.4.3 In addition to the state law that requires certain types of buildings to be designed by a registered design professional, privately owned buildings with classifications A, B, F, S, E, H, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, I and U occupancies shall be designed by registered design professionals. Where special conditions exist, the building official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional or waive requirements.
107.3.4.4 Exceptions. The following shall not require design by a registered design professional:
1. 
A new application for a certificate of occupancy, provided the new occupancy is remaining in the same risk category of the previous use or changing to lower risk category from the previous use.
2. 
A low hazard building classification of S-2 or F-2 under 2,000 square feet.
The above exceptions to the requirements for professionally prepared and sealed plans do not apply to projects which have been rejected by the building official three times. The fourth and all subsequent submittals for such projects shall be designed by registered design professionals and shall bear such registered professional's seal.
(6) 
Subsection 108.2 is hereby deleted and replaced with the following:
108.2 Conformance. Temporary structures and uses shall conform to the structural strength, fire safety, means of egress, accessibility, light, ventilation and sanitary requirements of this code and any and all applicable ordinances, regulations and technical codes adopted by the city, as necessary to ensure the public health, safety and general welfare.
(7) 
Section 109.2 Schedule of permit fees: Where work requires a permit, the fees for work shall be as indicated per City fee schedule.
(8) 
Section 109.6 Refunds. The code official shall authorize the refunding of fees as follows:
(1) 
The full amount of any fee paid hereunder that was erroneously paid or collected.
(2) 
Zero percent (0%) of the permit fee paid where work has not been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
(3) 
Zero percent (0%) of the plan review fee paid where an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan review efforts have been expended.
(9) 
Subsections 114.2, 114.3, and 114.4 are hereby deleted.
(10) 
Section 115.4 Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to fines not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been given shall be deemed a separate offense.
(11) 
Section 116 is hereby deleted.
(12) 
Section 1612.3 Insert: City of Liberty Hill, Texas, January 3, 1997.
(Ordinance 2022-O-05.25-02 adopted 5/25/2022; Ordinance 2024-O-023 adopted 9/25/2024)