HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated February 26, 2002 t
` 5q
® COUNCIL ACTION FORM �,� �
4 -C)l
C.�
ITEM #
DATE: Februa �26, 002
SUBJECT: Amendment to the administrative section of the Ames Municipal Plumbing
Code.
BACKGROUND:
Over the last several years, most plumbing contractors have been applying for permits
for repairs to water and sewer services.
Recently, the Inspection Staff discovered that a plumbing contractor repaired a water
service and did not apply for a permit or request an inspection. Upon researching the
code to issue a municipal infraction we found that our local amendment did not
specifically state a permit was needed for "repairs." The intent of the plumbing code is
to review corrections to a plumbing system to protect the owner. We believe an
amendment is needed to our codes to clarify when a permit is needed. The following
draft of the proposed code language was reviewed by the Plumbing Code Board of
Appeals and was approved by a 3-0 vote.
The current code reads:
Section 21.201 Permits:
(1) Permits Required. It is necessary to obtain a plumbing permit whenever any
installation, extension, connection or addition to the plumbing system of a
building or to a private sanitary sewer, or private water supply system is made
in the city, except as hereinafter provided.
The proposed code will be similar to the following:
Section 21.201 Permits:
(1) Permits Required. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
make any installation, alteration, repair, replacement or remodel any
plumbing system except as permitted in Section 21.201(A).
Section 21.201(A): Permit(s) not Required. No permit will be required for repair or
replacement of the following provided there is no change in any form from the existing
location or configuration:
(1) faucets, (2) plumbing fixtures, (3) water line(s) or fitting(s) on discharge side
of water meter, (4) waste and vent pipe(s) or fitting(s) located above the
building drain, (5) drain stoppage.
It is very important to observe that the plumbing connections do not leak and are of
adequate material to prevent future failure of plumbing systems especially in those
circumstances that are hidden from view, such as, in the ground.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Refer the request to the City Attorney to draft a change to the administrative section
of the plumbing code to specify when a permit is needed.
2. Deny the request.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1
referring this matter to the City Attorney to draft a change to the administrative section
of the Ames Municipal Plumbing Code to specify when a permit is needed.
COUNCIL ACTION: