Rebuilding After a Fire

[jar546]

A house had a bad interior fire and had to be stripped down to the studs and rebuilt. It sits 30" away from the existing house next to it on the right side and where the roof eaves are, with gutters on there is about a 12" gap between them.

The home being renovated has one window that faces the other house that is located on the second floor at the top of the stairs.

The home had vinyl siding which they plan on replacing. What requirements are there for the roof, soffit and exterior walls and wall coverings that are so close to the existing property? How would you handle this?

 

[e hilton]

If they build back the exact same design ... grandfathered. Any changes to the exterior triggers new compliance.

 

[jar546]

If they build back the exact same design ... grandfathered. Any changes to the exterior triggers new compliance.

Not quite. Separation requirements will have to be met with fire resistant construction since physical separation is not possible.

 

[tmurray]

Agreed. I have had this argument with insurance companies. If you are rebuilding it, you rebuild it to code.

It is a big problem for insurance companies in Canada because they must cover replacement of the structure. This typically mandates upgrades after a loss.

 

[steveray]

Yep...have something similar like this going on with a flipper that took down part of a structure that may have been built right up to the property line...

 

[ADAguy]

flippers can be slippery