The International Codes are the predominant building codes used throughout the nation. They are updated on a three-year cycle and published by the International Code Council. They establish minimum standards to safeguard life and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction and installation of new buildings and alterations to existing buildings. Adopting modern building safety codes ensures that the City of Sparks is addressing all aspects of safe and sound construction, such as structural integrity, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency and sustainability.

Additionally, the Building Officials in Northern Nevada have strived to bring a more consistent approach to the way building codes are adopted and interpreted in this region. Beginning in 2006, and again in 2012 and 2018, the region’s Building Officials, acting as a steering committee for the northern Nevada amendment process, created amendment packages specific to our region’s climatic and geographical characteristics, including frost depths, wind speeds and seismic requirements. Over the past year more than sixty representatives from the building industry, jurisdictions across northern Nevada and the Northern Nevada Chapter of the International Code Council participated in code committees for each specialty, i.e. residential, commercial, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc. Near the end of the amendment process, the Builders Association of Northern Nevada (BANN) proposed amendments for consideration. These proposals included reductions to the thermal envelope if solar energy generation is utilized. The steering committee agreed that reduction of a house’s insulation was not in the best interest of our community and, accordingly, did not include BANN’s amendments in the 2018 Northern Nevada Amendments.

This ordinance will have the effect of adopting the most recent versions of the International Codes as outlined in the ordinance, as well as the 2018 Northern Nevada Amendments to the various codes.

The adoption of the proposed bill will amend, by ordinance, Title 15, Building and Construction, of the Sparks Municipal Code (SMC) to include, Chapter 15.05 Administration code, by adopting the 2018 editions of the International Building Codes, and the 2018 Northern Nevada Amendments, each of which are to become effective on July 1, 2019, and other matters properly related thereto.

Following adoption, an application for a building permit will be accepted with either the currently adopted 2012 building codes or the newly adopted 2018 building codes during the six (6) month grace period from adoption by the Sparks City Council thru June 30, 2019.

This is the first reading of the bill.

This is the first reading of the Bill. No motion is required.