socaldano
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What is the rule about compelling city's to adopt the correct building code for the correct application?
What is the consensus about WHO is qualified to identify which code is adopted and what sections should be use, and what variances the city should add?
I am in the St Louis County area, doing business in about 7 cities. I have identified two GAPS, one the city council's adopting the incorrect code for a variety of uses, the City code inspectors are completely unable to cite code when they make outlandish claims. Which is often. BTW, at least half of the building inspectors and code inspectors are competent, just, professional and command my respect.
St Louis County municipalities have the last "Jim Crow Law", which is "occupancy permits" and "Occupancy inspections" for all changes in adult residents.
If you get married, the Cities void your "occupancy permit" as you are moving your spouse in. Even if you change your mind and decide not to move your spouse in you must self evict from the home until it is inspected. If your teenage son moves from moms into dad's 3 bedroom home where only dad lives, the house must be vacated then reinspected. Most people just ignore this law and keep quiet, keep paying the fines rather than get the inspection.
One resident in St John Mo has lived in his house for over 60 years (he grew up there and never moved out), his mom died 3 years ago. He cannot transfer title to his name, as the city informed him they will mandate his self eviction from the property until it passes inspection. But if he doesn't change title, he can live there till he dies. His brothers can move in and out whenever they want, because they are technically residents since 1960s.
This application of occupancy permit goes back to about 1965 when the Mayor of University City needed a new tool to keep the Black Citizens from moving from St Louis City to University City. Other cities followed suit, some knew what they were doing some just thought it was a great idea.
In one municipality, in the occupancy inspection for existing homes, require a "certification" of either plumbing, electrical, bowing basement walls, sewer stack at each inspection. Often costing $250 to $500. Worse yet, these "certifications are for the 2020+ codes, when the work was performed in the 1950s or 1960s or 1970s or 1980s. So systems that pass the ICC existing building code are failed.
In my last inspection, the inspector adjudicated the house unfit for occupancy unless I refinish or tear up and replace a 120 year old white oak hardwood floor because of what he considered "unsightly blemishes" in the finish. He adjudicated the house unfit for occupancy for deadfall ( the leaves on the lawn) and he wanted the driveway slurry sealed in January. There are no cracks or other defects on the driveway.
Strangely, he missed most of the obvious defects we left for him to find. A common practice in St Louis is to leave a half dozen easy to fix items undone so "occupancy inspectors" can fail you on easy things in the first inspection. Otherwise he will compel expensive certifications or new water heater or other pricey repairs. I learned this the hard way. I went through a very painful and unofficial appeals process.
What is the consensus about WHO is qualified to identify which code is adopted and what sections should be use, and what variances the city should add?
I am in the St Louis County area, doing business in about 7 cities. I have identified two GAPS, one the city council's adopting the incorrect code for a variety of uses, the City code inspectors are completely unable to cite code when they make outlandish claims. Which is often. BTW, at least half of the building inspectors and code inspectors are competent, just, professional and command my respect.
St Louis County municipalities have the last "Jim Crow Law", which is "occupancy permits" and "Occupancy inspections" for all changes in adult residents.
If you get married, the Cities void your "occupancy permit" as you are moving your spouse in. Even if you change your mind and decide not to move your spouse in you must self evict from the home until it is inspected. If your teenage son moves from moms into dad's 3 bedroom home where only dad lives, the house must be vacated then reinspected. Most people just ignore this law and keep quiet, keep paying the fines rather than get the inspection.
One resident in St John Mo has lived in his house for over 60 years (he grew up there and never moved out), his mom died 3 years ago. He cannot transfer title to his name, as the city informed him they will mandate his self eviction from the property until it passes inspection. But if he doesn't change title, he can live there till he dies. His brothers can move in and out whenever they want, because they are technically residents since 1960s.
This application of occupancy permit goes back to about 1965 when the Mayor of University City needed a new tool to keep the Black Citizens from moving from St Louis City to University City. Other cities followed suit, some knew what they were doing some just thought it was a great idea.
In one municipality, in the occupancy inspection for existing homes, require a "certification" of either plumbing, electrical, bowing basement walls, sewer stack at each inspection. Often costing $250 to $500. Worse yet, these "certifications are for the 2020+ codes, when the work was performed in the 1950s or 1960s or 1970s or 1980s. So systems that pass the ICC existing building code are failed.
In my last inspection, the inspector adjudicated the house unfit for occupancy unless I refinish or tear up and replace a 120 year old white oak hardwood floor because of what he considered "unsightly blemishes" in the finish. He adjudicated the house unfit for occupancy for deadfall ( the leaves on the lawn) and he wanted the driveway slurry sealed in January. There are no cracks or other defects on the driveway.
Strangely, he missed most of the obvious defects we left for him to find. A common practice in St Louis is to leave a half dozen easy to fix items undone so "occupancy inspectors" can fail you on easy things in the first inspection. Otherwise he will compel expensive certifications or new water heater or other pricey repairs. I learned this the hard way. I went through a very painful and unofficial appeals process.
