Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3222 amending the residential construction code to require a permit and inspection of foundation repair and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
At the February 5, 2013 Study Session meeting, City Administration presented information to City Council regarding the life expectancy of materials used in the construction of buildings. Additional information was provided regarding expansive soils, foundation types, foundation repair and potential plumbing issues that impact foundations. At the conclusion of the presentation City Council directed City Administration to review the requirements of surrounding municipalities regarding foundation repair and to prepare an ordinance that would require a building permit and inspections for foundation repair in the City of Farmers Branch.
DISCUSSION:
City Administration surveyed six (6) surrounding cities: Addison, Carrollton, Dallas, Irving, Plano and Richardson. All six (6) cities require a permit for foundation repair and all of them require that an engineer design the repair. Carrollton requires that the engineer inspect the work. Addison, Dallas, Plano and Richardson will either inspect the repair or will allow the engineer to inspect the repair. The City of Irving requires the city to inspect the work. None of the surveyed cities require a plumbing test following the foundation repair.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends adopting Ordinance No. 3222 that will require a permit to be obtained prior to a repair being performed on a foundation. It will require that a licensed engineer design the foundation repair, inspect the repair and certify that the repair was installed as per the design. Additionally the ordinance will require that the plumbing be tested following the completion of the foundation repair and that the test will be inspected by the City’s plumbing inspector.
ACTIONS:
1) Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3222 amending specific sections of th...
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