§ 6.02.01. Construction codes.

The following specific codes and subsequent amendments thereto are hereby adopted to be the minimum standards to be complied with in the construction of any improvements in Okaloosa County, Florida:

Permitee will be responsible for the compliance of all codes and ordinances adopted by local, state and federal agencies.

1.

The building code shall be the current edition of the Standard Building Code, including the appendix.

2.

Florida Accessibility Code shall be the current edition of the Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction.

3.

The energy efficiency code shall be the current edition of the Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction.

4.

The electrical code shall be the current edition of the National Electric Code.

5.

The plumbing code shall be the current edition of the Standard Plumbing Code.

6.

The mechanical code shall be the current edition of the Standard Mechanical Code, and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association.

7.

The gas code shall be the current edition of the Standard Gas Code.

8.

The swimming pool code shall be the current edition of the Standard Swimming Pool Code.

9.

The irrigation and lawn sprinkler code shall be the current edition of the Florida Irrigation Society Standards.

10.

Coastal construction code—Coastal construction control line: Development and building permits are required. Applications for structures located seaward of the control line shall be presented by the growth management department to the governing body for final approval or disapproval. The FDEP CCCL permit is required as part of the site plan application.

a.

The requirements of this coastal code shall apply to the following types of construction in the coastal building zone under the jurisdiction of Okaloosa County, Florida:

i.

The new construction of, or substantial improvement to major structures, and minor structures as defined herein.

ii.

Construction which would change or otherwise have the potential for substantial impact on coastal zones (i.e. excavation, grading, paving).

iii.

Construction located partially within the coastal building zone.

iv.

Reconstruction, redevelopment or repair of a damaged structure from any cause which meets the definition of substantial improvement as defined herein.

b.

Exceptions: The requirements of the coastal code shall not apply to the following:

i.

Minor work in the nature of normal beach cleanup and debris removal.

ii.

Structures in existence prior to the effective date of the code, except for substantial improvements as defined herein.

iii.

Construction extending seaward of the seasonal high-water line is regulated by the provisions of Section 161.041, Florida Statutes (i.e. groins, jetties, moles, breakwaters, seawalls, piers, revetments, beach nourishment, inlet dredging, etc.).

iv.

Construction of non-habitable major structures as defined herein, except for the requirements of paragraph 10.g.

v.

Construction of minor structures as defined herein, except for the requirements of paragraph 10.h.

vi.

Construction for improvement of a major structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions.

c.

Application for permits: Applications for building permits for construction in the coastal building zone are required to be certified by an architect or professional engineer as defined in Chapter 471 Florida Statutes. Such certifications shall state that the design plans and specifications for the construction are in compliance with this ordinance and applicable state and federal laws. Upon completion of the project the architect or engineer shall certify that the construction has been completed in accordance with this ordinance and consistent with applicable FDEP and USCOE permits, including FEMA elevation requirements.

d.

Definitions:

i.

Major structure includes but is not limited to residential buildings including mobile homes, commercial, institutional, industrial, and other construction having the potential for substantial impact on coastal zones.

ii.

Minor structure includes but is not limited to pile-supported, elevated dune and beach walkover structures; beach access ramps and walkways; stairways; pile supported elevated viewing platforms, gazebos, and boardwalks; lifeguards support stands; public and private boathouses; sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, shuffleboards courts, tennis courts, handball courts, racquetball courts, and other uncovered paved areas, earth retaining walls; sand fences, privacy fences, ornamental walls, ornamental garden structures, aviaries, and other ornamental construction.

iii.

Nonhabitable major structure includes but is not limited to swimming pools; parking garages; pipelines; piers; canals, lakes, ditches, drainage structures, and other water retention structures; water and sewage treatment plants; electrical power plants, transmission and distribution lines, transformer pads, vaults, and substations.

iv.

Substantial improvement means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds a cumulative total of 50 percent of the market value of the structure either:

(1)

Before the repair or improvement has started; or

(2)

If the structure has been damaged and is being restored to its original condition before the damage occurred.

For the purpose of this definition, "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include any projects for improvement of structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions.

e.

Structural requirements for major structures:

i.

Design and construction: Major structures, except for mobile homes, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 1606 of the Standard Building Code Current Edition using a fastest-mile wind velocity of 110 miles per hour. Major structures, except mobile homes, shall also comply with the applicable standards for construction found elsewhere in the Standard Building Code Current Edition.

ii.

Mobile homes: Mobile homes shall conform to the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards or the Uniform Standards Code ANSI A119.1, pursuant to Section 320.823, Florida Statutes, as well as the requirements of subsection (c).

iii.

Elevation, flood proofing, and siting: All major structures shall be designed constructed and located in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Regulations as found in 44 CFR Parts 59 through 77, or in this ordinance.

f.

Design conditions:

i.

Velocity pressure: Major structures, except mobile homes, shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of Section 1606 of the Standard Building Code Current Edition using a minimum fastest mile wind velocity of 110 mph.

ii.

Foundation: The elevation of the soil surface to be used in the design of foundations, calculation of pile reactions and bearing capacities shall not be greater than that which would result from the erosion reasonably anticipated as a result of design storm conditions. Foundation design and construction of a major structure shall consider all anticipated loads acting simultaneously with live and dead loads. Erosion computations for foundation design shall account for all vertical and lateral erosion and scour producing forces, including localized scour due to the presence of structural components. Foundation design and construction shall provide for adequate bearing capacity taking into consideration the type of soil present and the anticipated loss of soil above the design grade as a result of localized scour. Erosion computations are not required landward of coastal construction control lines established or updated since June 30, 1980. Upon request, F.D.E.P. may provide information as to those areas within coastal building zones where erosion and scour of a 100-year storm event is applicable.

iii.

Wave forces: Calculations for wave forces resulting from design storm conditions on building foundations and superstructures may be based upon the minimum criteria and methods prescribed in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Design Manual, NAVFAC DM-26, U.S. Department of Navy; Shore Protection Manual. U.S. Army-Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of the Army Coastal Engineering Research Technical Papers and Reports; the Technical and Design Memoranda of the Division of Beaches and Shores, F.D.E.P; or other professionally recognized methodologies which produce equivalent design criteria.

iv.

Hydrostatic loads: Calculations for hydrostatic loads shall consider the maximum water pressure resulting from a fully peaked, breaking wave superimposed upon the storm surge with dynamic wave setup. Both free and hydrostatic loads shall be considered. Hydrostatic loads which are confined shall be determined by using the maximum elevation to which the confined water would freely rise if unconfined. Vertical hydrostatic loads shall be considered both upward and downward on horizontal or inclined surfaces of major structures (i.e. floors, slabs, roofs, walls). Lateral hydrostatic loads shall be considered as forces acting horizontally above and below grade on vertical or inclined surfaces. Hydrostatic loads on irregular or curved geometric surfaces shall be determined by considering the separate vertical and horizontal components acting simultaneously under the distribution of the hydrostatic pressures.

v.

Hydrodynamic loads: Hydrodynamic loads shall consider the maximum water pressures resulting from the motion of the water mass associated with the design storm. Full intensity loading shall be applied on all structural surfaces above the design grade which would affect the flow velocities.

g.

Structural requirements for nonhabitable major structures: Nonhabitable major structures shall meet the specific structural requirements of paragraph 9.e.i., and shall be designed to produce the minimum adverse impact on the beach and dune system and shall comply with the applicable standards of construction found in the Standard Building Code. All sewage treatment and public water supply systems shall be flood-proofed to prevent infiltration of surface water anticipated under design storm conditions. Underground utilities excluding pad transformers and vaults, shall be flood-proofed to prevent infiltration of surface water expected under design storm conditions or shall otherwise be designed to function when submerged under such storm conditions.

h.

Structural requirements for minor structures : Minor structures need not meet the specific structural requirements of paragraph 9.e, except that they shall be designed to produce the minimum adverse impact on the beach dune system and shall comply with the applicable standards found in the Standard Building Code.

i.

Location of construction: Construction, except for elevated walkways, lifeguard support stands, piers, beach access ramps, and coastal or shore protection structures, shall be located a sufficient distance landward of the beach to permit natural shoreline fluctuations and to preserve dune stability. Construction, including excavation, may occur to the extent that the natural storm buffering and protection capability of the dune is not diminished.

11.

The Standard Code for the Elimination or Repair of Unsafe Buildings: This Code shall apply to all unsafe buildings or structures, as herein defined, and shall apply equally to new and existing conditions.

a.

Alterations, repairs or rehabilitation work:

i.

Alterations, repairs or rehabilitation work may be made to any existing building without requiring the building to comply with all the requirements of the Standard Building Code and other codes in this ordinance provided that the alteration, repair or rehabilitation work conforms to the requirements of the Standard Building Code and other codes in this ordinance for new construction. The building official shall determine the extent to which the existing building shall be made to conform to the requirements of the codes in this ordinance for new construction.

ii.

Alterations, repairs or rehabilitation work shall not cause an existing building to become unsafe as defined in paragraph 10.d.

iii.

If the occupancy classification of an existing building is changed, the building shall be made to conform to the intent of the codes in this ordinance for the new occupancy classification as established by the building official.

iv.

Repairs and alterations, not covered by the preceding paragraphs of this section, restoring a building to its condition previous to damage or deterioration, or altering it in conformity with the provisions of this code or in such manner as will not extend or increase an existing non-conformity or hazard, may be made with the same kind of materials as those of which the building is constructed; but not more than 25 percent of the roof covering of a building shall be replaced in any period of 12 months unless the entire roof covering is made to conform with the requirements of the Standard Building Code for new buildings.

b.

Special historic buildings: The provisions of this Code relating to the construction alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving buildings or structures identified and classified by the state or local jurisdiction as historic buildings when such buildings or structures are judged by the building official to be safe and in the public interest of health, safety and welfare regarding any proposed construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings within fire districts. The applicant must submit complete architectural and engineering plans and specifications bearing the seal of a registered professional engineer or architect.

c.

Maintenance: All buildings or structures, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices or safeguards which are required by the codes in this ordinance in a building when erected, altered or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order. The owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings and structures.

d.

Unsafe building: Any building or structure that has any of the following conditions, such that the life, health, property or safety of the general public or its occupant are endangered:

i.

Whenever any means of egress or portion thereof is not of adequate size or is not arranged to provide a safe path of travel in case of fire or panic.

ii.

Whenever any means of egress or portion thereof, such as but not limited to, fire doors, closing devices, fire resistive ratings, are in disrepair or in a dilapidated or non-working conditions such that the means of egress could be rendered unsafe in case of fire or panic.

iii.

Whenever the stress in any material, member or portion thereof, due to all imposed loads including dead load exceeds the working stresses allowed in the Standard Building Code for new buildings.

iv.

Whenever a building, structure or portion thereof has been damaged by fire, flood, earthquake, wind or other cause to the extent that the structural integrity of the buildings or structures is less than it was prior to the damage and is less than the minimum requirement established by the Standard Building Code for new buildings.

v.

Whenever any exterior appendages or portion of a building or structure is not securely fastened, attached or anchored such that it is capable of resisting wind, seismic or similar loads as required by the Standard Building Code for new buildings.

vi.

Whenever for any reason a building, structure or portion thereof is manifestly unsafe or unsanitary for the purpose for which it is being used.

vii.

Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof as a result of decay, deterioration or dilapidation is likely to fully or partially collapse.

viii.

Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof has been constructed or maintained in violation of a specific requirement of this ordinance or state law.

ix.

Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance.

x.

Whenever any building, structure or portion thereof is unsafe, unsanitary or not provided with adequate egress, or which constitutes a fire hazard, or is otherwise dangerous to human life, or, which in relation to existing use, constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment.

(Ord. No. 11-01, § 2, 1-18-11)