In the event a conflict is determined to exist between a code as adopted in this article and the other provisions of this article, the latter provisions shall be construed as controlling and taking precedence over the former. Any codes referenced therein are not adopted hereby unless specifically adopted.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The city administrator shall keep a copy of each code the city adopts by reference on file at city hall.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
Each reference to jurisdiction or location for insertion of name of jurisdiction in this division shall mean the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Building Code, year 2021 edition by the International Code Council, and all revisions thereof, published by the International Code Council and referred to as the "International Building Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
Any codes noted or mentioned in the International Building Code which are not formally adopted by this article shall be a guide only and are not subject to permit and enforcement.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2021 edition, including all appendix chapters, published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted as the residential building code of the city regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in the city, and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees, and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2021 edition, published by the International Code Council are adopted and made a part of this section as if fully set out in this article.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
A permit is not required for repairs and remodeling unless structural supports or supporting walls are removed or modified, floor space is added, or a plumbing or electrical permit is required. A building permit is not necessary for accessory buildings having 120 square feet or less of floor space.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
Any codes noted or mentioned in the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings which are not formally adopted by this article shall be a guide only and are not subject to permit and enforcement.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 edition, published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted as the energy code of the city for regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of the building envelope, mechanical, lighting and power systems of the city and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor, and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 [2021] edition, published by the International Code Council, are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part of this section as if fully set out in this article.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereof, published by the International Code Council, and referred to as the "International Plumbing Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Mechanical Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereof, published by the International Code Council, and referred to as the "International Mechanical Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, 2020 edition, and all revisions thereof, published by the National Fire Protection Association, and referred to as the "electrical code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
A.
Required. It shall be unlawful for anyone to perform electrical work for which a permit is required unless he or she holds one of the following licenses:
1.
Unrestricted master electrical license. A person who holds a valid unrestricted master license issued by the state and obtained said license by passing an examination, upon providing proof of same and paying the prescribed fee, if any.
2.
Journeyman electrical license. A person who holds a valid journeyman electrical license issued by state and obtained said license by passing an examination, upon providing proof of same and paying the prescribed fee, if any.
B.
Homeowner exemption. A homeowner performing electrical work on his own residence with his own hands, upon providing proof of ownership, and after filling out and signing the proper request, may be exempted from the license requirement. Anyone else performing electrical work on property permitted under a homeowner permit shall hold a valid state electrical license.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
A.
All electrical work shall be permitted by an unrestricted master electrician.
B.
An unrestricted master electrician who employs a licensed journeyman electrician who is a bona fide employee of the master may, by presenting a letter to the building inspector, authorize the named journeyman to pull permits under the master's license. The unrestricted master is responsible for all permits issued under his license.
C.
A homeowner performing electrical work on his own residence with his own hands, upon providing proof of ownership, and after filling out and signing the proper request, may be exempted from the license requirement.
D.
The unrestricted master electrician shall be responsible for all work, permit requirements, inspections and fees performed under this license. All work performed by any helper on a job permitted by an unrestricted master electrician shall be under the direct supervision of the unrestricted master or a licensed journeyman electrician on the jobsite at all times. All persons who fail to present a valid state electrical license as required by this article to the building inspector on request shall leave the jobsite immediately and be subject to the penalty provisions of this code for such violations.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
A.
Compliance with applicable regulations. All electrical work must be performed in accordance with the current adopted edition of the National Electrical Code and city ordinances. After the effective date of this article, no electrical service shall be provided, and no electric meter shall be set at any location requiring a permit until an inspection has been requested and the inspection has been passed by the building inspection department.
B.
Commercial buildings.
1.
All wiring rated at 120 volts or more installed in all commercial buildings shall be in conduit.
2.
All low voltage and control wiring installed in plenums shall be plenum rated wire, and shall be stamped plenum rated on the outer coating.
3.
House wired smoke detectors with battery backup shall be required on each level above the main floor.
4.
The minimum wire size for branch circuit wiring shall be #12 copper with a maximum of 12 outlets per circuit.
5.
Every commercial building that is constructed or structurally altered where an electrical permit is required shall be provided with an outside main disconnect meeting the requirements of the National Electrical Code, and labeled with the building address or suite number.
C.
Residential buildings.
1.
A house wired battery backup smoke detector shall be provided in every sleeping room and centrally located outside each sleeping room and at each floor above the main floor of the residence.
2.
All branch circuit wiring shall be a minimum of #12 copper with a maximum of 12 outlets per circuit.
3.
All motor-driven indoor appliances shall be provided with an individually designated circuit.
4.
Cord and plug shall be accepted as an appliance disconnect.
5.
In addition to the washing machine circuit, a separate designated 120-volt circuit shall be provided to operate the motor on a gas dryer.
6.
On kitchen islands, no part of the countertop, measured along the length, shall be further to a GFCI outlet than 24 inches.
7.
Every residence, including mobile homes, where an electrical permit is issued as part of a new construction permit shall be provided with an outside main disconnect for fire protection.
D.
General requirements. Electrical lines must be located in a separate trench from water and sewer lines.
E.
This section shall control in the event of a conflict with the edition of the NEC adopted by this code, and said edition of the NEC shall be amended to the extent of any conflict with this section.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025; Ordinance 2025-O-653 adopted 4/10/2025)
The International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereof, published by the International Code Council, and referred to as the "International Fuel Gas Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city. The provisions of this code shall apply to the installation of undiluted liquefied petroleum gases (butane and propane).
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
When used in this Section 3.7.9, the following term has the meaning indicated:
The International Code Council's International Fire Code, 2021 edition, as published without exceptions or modifications, and any such future edition of the International Fire Code adopted or amended by the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The fire marshal's office of the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1, is hereby designated as the fire code official of the city and authorized to enforce this Section 3.7.9 and the fire code of the city, to take all actions required or authorized in provisions incorporated in this Section 3.7.9 or the fire code of the city by reference, and to conduct all inspections, review all plans, and accept all applications and/or fees for a permit or approval authorized or required by the terms of this Section 3.7.9 or the fire code of the city. The city administrator is hereby authorized to enter into any necessary interlocal cooperation agreement with the district and/or any other proper authority to give effect to this Section 3.7.9.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
This Section 3.7.9 and the fire code of the city as adopted are applicable and in full force and effect within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
This Section 3.7.9 will, to the extent reasonable, be construed in a manner consistent with the International Fire Code as adopted by the city herein. If there is a conflict between this Section 3.7.9 and the International Fire Code, this Section 3.7.9 will prevail.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The fire code official shall be able to enforce criminal violations of this Section 3.7.9 or the fire code of the city in the municipal court of the city through the city attorney or in a court of competent jurisdiction. Any civil violation of this Section 3.7.9 or the fire code may be enforced by the city attorney in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The fire marshal's office of Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 is hereby designated as the fire marshal of the city and authorized to perform the duties of a fire marshal within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereof published by the International Code Council and referred to as the "International Swimming Pool and Spa Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling as to all swimming pools and spas within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition, and all revisions thereof, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, and referred to as the "International Existing Building Code," is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
The 2021 International Property Maintenance Code is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all buildings thereon, within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)
A.
Adopted; references to other codes. The standards in the City of Austin Utilities Criteria Manual, as amended, are adopted as the city utility construction code, of which not less than one copy has been and is now filed in the office of the city secretary. In the event a conflict is determined to exist between said code as adopted and the other provisions of this article or the subdivision requirements, the latter provisions shall be construed as controlling and taking precedence over the former. Any codes referenced therein are not adopted hereby unless specifically adopted. Such code is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this article, and the provisions of such code shall be controlling on all premises, including but not limited to all utility facilities thereon, within the corporate limits of the city. Any codes referenced therein are not adopted hereby unless specifically adopted.
(Ordinance 2025-O-650 adopted 1/9/2025)