The International Building Code, being particularly the 2021 International Building Code, and all revisions thereto, save and except such portions as may hereinafter be amended, of which a copy has been and is now filed at the offices of the city, are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set forth at length herein, and from the date on which this section shall take effect, the provisions therein shall be controlling in the construction, alteration, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of all buildings and structures within the area of jurisdiction of the city.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
The following local amendments are made to the International Building Code, 2021 edition, as adopted by the city:
(1) 
Section 101.1 is hereby amended by inserting the following: the City of Brenham.
(2) 
Section 105 is hereby amended by adding Section 105.8 to read as follows:
If work done on a building/structure cumulatively within any 12-month period constitutes a "substantial improvement" (as defined in the City's flood damage prevention ordinances, e.g., Section 8 ½-5 of this Code), the owner shall–to the extent reasonably practicable–make the building comply with current code provisions for new construction regarding: (i) structural components (except foundations) and (ii) life safety features (hand and guard rails, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, safety glazing, ground fault circuit interrupters, arc-fault combination breakers, emergency egress from sleeping rooms, locking devices on required egress components, etc.). To determine the "market value" of a pre-existing building, the most current tabulation of square foot construction costs published by the International Code Council (usually as part of "Building Valuation Data." see e.g., www.iccsafe.org/cs/techservices) shall be used.
(3) 
Section 105 is hereby amended by adding Section 105.9 to read as follows:
If a building is "substantially damaged" (as defined in the City's flood damage prevention ordinances, e.g., Section 8½-5 of this Code), the owner shall cause it to be: (i) secured to prevent entry by unauthorized persons, within 24 hours after all embers are extinguished (or other damaging occurrence has ended) and (ii) either demolished (in accordance with Chapter 8½ of this Code) or rebuilt in conformity with applicable technical codes as though it were a new building. Normal permits (including certificate of occupancy) are required. Work to demolish or rebuild must begin within 60 days following the date the occurrence ends and must be completed within a reasonable time, but not longer than the time allowed by the applicable permit(s). To determine the "market value" of a pre-existing building, the most current tabulation of square foot construction costs published by the International Code Council (usually as part of "Building Valuation Data," see, e.g., www.iccsafe.org/cs/techservices) shall be used.
(4) 
Section 107 is hereby amended by adding Section 107.6 to read as follows:
Building Plans, Applications and Permits.
A complete application for a building permit shall be accompanied by a complete set of construction permit plans for residential construction projects and commercial construction projects.
Residential permit applications shall be submitted with a complete set of the construction plans for all one-and two-family dwellings. The plan set shall include the following: site plan, floor plan, framing plan, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans for all one- and two-family dwellings. Utility requirements should be noted on all plans.
Commercial building permit applications and multi-family apartment building permit applications shall be submitted with a complete set of plans. Each set shall include the following: site plan, floor plan, framing plan, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans. Utility requirements should be noted on all plans.
State of Texas architectural and engineering seals are required to accompany an application for a building permit as required by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Additionally, all commercial and apartment buildings over five thousand (5,000) square feet, will require a full set of plans, including plumbing, electrical, mechanical, structural, final topography, MEP site plans, and all architectural and engineering seals on plans, to accompany the application for a building permit.
The site plan shall be in conformity with the City of Brenham's adopted Design Guidelines and Standards Specifications and will show:
(1) 
Vicinity map and north arrow.
(2) 
Scale should be largest standard engineering scale possible on sheet (not smaller than one inch = 50').
(3) 
Plan must show dimension of all property lines.
(4) 
All existing and proposed structures must be shown with building dimensions and distances from property lines.
(5) 
Setbacks as required by zoning.
(6) 
On and off-site circulation and access with dimensions, shape, and location.
(7) 
Location and width of curbs, drainage ditches, sidewalks and rights-of-way.
(8) 
Parking areas with dimensions and adherence to minimum parking requirements.
(9) 
For all Commercial and Multiple-Family uses provide landscaping and screening plan.
(10) 
Proposed finished floor elevation and top of curb elevation shall be noted.
(11) 
Location of existing and proposed underground and overhead utilities.
(12) 
All recorded public easements shall be shown and properly dimensioned.
(13) 
Location of existing and proposed fire hydrants and vehicle lay of hose.
(14) 
Title block including:
a. 
Property acreage, address, and legal description.
b. 
Name, address, and phone number of property owner.
c. 
Date of submittal or drawing.
The floor plan shall include the proposed utility requirements for the structure. Plan review shall be completed within ten (10) working days after submission of a complete application packet. Larger projects may take longer. After review, individual permits will be issued for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire system and irrigation phases. Each individual contractor shall be responsible for inspection of his work. All plumbing, mechanical, fire system and irrigation contractors must show appropriate state license and proof of insurance. All electrical contractors shall have a current state license and all employees must have proper journeyman or apprentice license on job. All extensions, taps, permit fees or deposits shall be paid at the time the permit is issued.
Prior to construction, the contractor or owner shall verify with the city all utility locations and depths. The contractor shall be responsible for placing a string line on a minimum of two (2) property lines, the front and one side. The building inspector may request string lines on additional property lines. These string lines shall be in place at the time of the foundation inspection.
All alterations to civil infrastructure, building layout, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural must have amended drawings and city approval prior to construction.
The property owner is responsible for location of property lines and underground utilities. Fences shall not obstruct drainage or redirect drainage on adjacent property. Any fence along or across an easement may be removed by utility personnel. The city is not required to reconstruct any fences inside of utility easements.
All retaining wall construction requires written approval of the city prior to construction. All cut and/or fill on an improved property requires written city approval prior to work.
A certificate of occupancy will be issued at the completion of all new construction by the city building department. Permanent service will be connected upon issuance of the certificate of occupancy. No occupancy of the building will be allowed prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. No exceptions will be made without written consent of the city building official.
(5) 
Section 109.3 is deleted in its entirety.
(6) 
Section 110.3.1 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C 94, the concrete need not be on the job. Form Surveys performed by a Texas Registered Professional Licensed Surveyor are required to be submitted prior to approval of foundation inspection. Properties larger than 1 acre in size may request an exception to this requirement. The exception may be granted by the Building Official.
(7) 
Section 110.3.2 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor. Form Surveys performed by a Texas Registered Professional Licensed Surveyor are required to be submitted prior to approval of foundation inspection. Properties larger than 1 acre in size may request an exception to this requirement. The exception may be granted by the Building Official.
(8) 
Section 114.3 is deleted in its entirety.
(9) 
Section 114.4 is deleted in its entirety.
(10) 
Section 116 is deleted in its entirety.
(11) 
Section 1801 is hereby amended by adding Section 1801.1.2 to read as follows:
Crawlspaces (pier and beam construction) shall be completely skirted with approved skirting materials. Approved skirting construction may be of the following materials: metal, masonry, exterior grade wood, or other construction material designed for exterior exposure and contact with the ground. Skirting shall be installed in accordance with the material manufacturer's installation instructions and shall be adequately secured to ensure stability and susceptibility to wind damage. Skirting shall enclose crawlspaces sufficiently in order to hide unsightly areas and to prevent the intrusion of rodents.
(12) 
Section 1612.3 is hereby amended by inserting the following: City of Brenham.
(13) 
Section 1612.3 is hereby amended by inserting the following: "Flood Insurance Study for Washington County, Texas and Incorporated Areas," dated August 16, 2011," or current presiding Flood Insurance Map (FIRM) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM).
(14) 
Section 2308.5. is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Walls and partitions shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 2308.5.1 through 2308.5.4. In walls containing Plumbing Drain, Waste & Vent lines all framing members shall be 2 inch by six inch (2 x 6) or larger.
(15) 
Section 2303.1.1 is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Sawn lumber used for load-supporting purposes, including end-jointed or edge-glued lumber, machine stress-rated or machine-evaluated lumber, shall be identified by the grade mark of a lumber grading or inspection agency that has been approved by an accreditation body that complies with DOC PS 20 or equivalent. Grading practices and identification shall comply with rules published by an agency approved in accordance with the procedures of DOC PS 20 or equivalent procedures. Utility grade lumber shall not be used for joists, rafters or vertical framing.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
(a) 
Applications for intermodal shipping containers shall comply with the city code, adopted building codes and building code amendments, specifically IBC special construction and 31115.3 intermodal shipping container information. Intermodal shipping containers shall bear an existing data plate containing the following information as required by ISO 6346 and verified by an approved agency. A report of the verification process and findings shall be provided as outlined below.
(1) 
Manufacturer's name or identification number.
(2) 
Date manufactured.
(3) 
Safety approval number.
(4) 
Identification number.
(5) 
Maximum operating gross mass or weight (kg or lbs.).
(6) 
Allowable stacking load for 1.8G (kg or lbs.).
(7) 
Transverse racking test force (newtons).
(8) 
Valid maintenance examination date.
(9) 
With prior approval by the building official, the markings and existing data plate are permitted to be removed from the intermodal shipping container before they are repurposed for use as a dwelling or commercial use.
(b) 
Plans shall comply with adopted energy codes.
(c) 
Plans shall include confirmation that intermodal shipping containers are toxin free.
(d) 
Plans shall include engineered and/or architectural drawings.
(e) 
Project engineer or project architect shall provide structural inspection prior to project cover-up.
(f) 
Project architect or project engineer shall provide letter of compliance upon completion and prior to request of the final inspection.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)
(a) 
An accessory utility building/structure that is a single container and at ground level (one story, one container height, and not elevated) must:
(1) 
Comply with city code, adopted building codes and building code amendments.
(2) 
Comply with IBC chapter 31, special construction.
(3) 
Have plans which include confirmation that intermodal shipping containers are toxin free.
(4) 
Have a door entrance/exit design which shall assure safe passage to the outside without the capability of being locked inside the building.
(5) 
Be provided with required exterior ventilation.
(6) 
Comply with the city zoning ordinance.
(b) 
An accessory utility building/structure that is two or more containers or aboveground level (greater than one story or greater than one container height) must:
(1) 
Comply with the city code, adopted building codes and building code amendments.
(2) 
Comply with IBC chapter 31, special construction.
(3) 
Provide engineered and/or architectural drawings.
(4) 
Confirm that containers are toxin free.
(5) 
Have a door entrance/exit design which shall assure safe passage to the outside without the capability of being locked inside the building.
(6) 
Be provided with required exterior ventilation.
(7) 
Have a project engineer or project architect provide structural inspection prior to project cover-up.
(8) 
Have a project architect or project engineer provide a letter of compliance upon completion and prior to request of the final inspection.
(Ordinance O-24-019 adopted 8/15/2024)