R11.4 Temporary Occupancy

[Bootleg]

When and for how long?

How can it be enforced?

 

[pwood]

When and for how long?try to avoid it, one week at the most.How can it be enforced?

not too easily.pull the use permit or business license if necessary

 

[fatboy]

Don't do it at all?

We don't do TCO's, it's either ready to occupy safely or not. Once you let them occupy, getting compliance becomes difficult. Occupancy is YOUR hammer......... JMHO

 

[Uncle Bob]

Bootleg,

I agree with PWood and Fatboy. All your going to get is promises; and somebody might get hurt.

Uncle Bob

 

[FredK]

We make them sign an agreement to pull power 30 days later if project isn't completed. Goes for commercial and residential.

On commercial projects they can get temp power for wiring sections of building with electrician responable for locking panels. Temp power can extend longer than the 30 days. BTW I check when I'm running around on those job site for the panel being locked.

On residential which is another story the home has to be completely wired and outlets installed and covered or capped and covered. Happens in subdivisions mostly where there only minor things needed to finish (set sinks, toilets, countertop changed, etc....) and power company is 10 days-2 weeks away from pulling power to units. (Nice to check homes with the air on around here during the summer.) Haven't had any superintendents abuse the rules but have had homeowner/builder abuse the privilege and that power gets jerked. Without out the agreement like other have said it was hard to tell the city manager why power needs to be cut and listen to the screams.

 

[High Desert]

We do temporary occupancy if the building can be safely occupied, "safely" being the key word, but not very often. Typically our temporary is for other items that really don't affect the safety of the occupancts like final grading, required street trees, or other issues by other departments. We also have the ability to cite both the owner and contractor into court via our City Code if they don't comply. I've only been to court a couple of times on these. The follow up letter with the notice of Civil Infraction most often works. The code does however leave it up to the discretion of the building official whether to issue one or not. Time limits are usually 30-90 days.

 

[Coug Dad]

Not allowing a TCO is pretty harsh. For example, a hotel will use a TCO period to get staff hired, trained, and ready for the opening. Kitchens and menus will be finalized. The sprinklers, fire alarm and egress will be in place for the TCO, but there could be other construction finishing up. Not allowing a TCO could add significant costs and delays in the opening.

 

[mtlogcabin]

No TCO's here same as high desert for SFR's

As Coug Dad noted commercial can be a different ball game. When all life safety items are in and working, exit & emergency lighting, sprinkler and alarms monitored handrails installed etc we will give a letter of permission to allow employees and vendors to start their work. We will try to visit the site daily to remind them to keep exits cleared and remove the packaging materials from within the building

 

[texas transplant]

Part of the secret is making sure the TCO states what they can and can't do. If you are allowing the staff in to set up furniture, clean completed areas, make sure you spell out NO PUBLIC ACCESS ALLOWED, found the Council doesn't have a problem when you have to hammer someone. Agree with Coug Dad, you really ought to let businesses get in and set up if there are no hazards involved.

We also use TCO's when landscaping, etc. isn't in, season isn't right to plant that sort of thing. On those we get a bond for 1 and 1/2 the estimated cost of the improvements along with a development agreement that says the City may hire someone to finish the landscaping etc. and use the bond to pay. We are just getting a lot of these off the books from last summer because a lot of planting could not happen last year due to drought and water restrictions.

 

[GHRoberts]

Temporary occupancy seems proper. A lot of people live in their homes while remolding. Often in a basement. Lots of hazards in the construction area. Eating and sleeping seem to be the safest part of construction projects.

 

[JBI]

Depends almost entirely on what, exactly, still needs to be done and what will be done to mitigate any potential problems.

 

[Yankee]

Part of the secret is making sure the TCO states what they can and can't do. If you are allowing the staff in to set up furniture, clean completed areas, make sure you spell out NO PUBLIC ACCESS ALLOWED, found the Council doesn't have a problem when you have to hammer someone. Agree with Coug Dad, you really ought to let businesses get in and set up if there are no hazards involved.We also use TCO's when landscaping, etc. isn't in, season isn't right to plant that sort of thing. On those we get a bond for 1 and 1/2 the estimated cost of the improvements along with a development agreement that says the City may hire someone to finish the landscaping etc. and use the bond to pay. We are just getting a lot of these off the books from last summer because a lot of planting could not happen last year due to drought and water restrictions.

Same, do TCO's or conditional CO's for commercial, but consider employees to be "public" re: life safety. All systems up and running. Specify exactly what area and what type of use is being permitted withe the CO. Residential for necessary items like seasonal issues.

 

[beach]

We do "TOA's" Temporary Occupancy Agreements" reserving the right to cut power, issue citations, etc. We stopped calling them "TCO's".........probably a lawyer thing.

 

[Glennman CBO]

TCO's granted only after all fire/life/safety systems/items are in place.