Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director, Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 (“Buildings”), Article 3 (“Electric Code”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Adopt the 2020 National Electric Code as Recommended by the Building Code Advisory Commission
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Overview
Overview
The Village periodically reviews and adopts updated building codes to attract construction growth by accepting current trends and implementing more modern approved materials and safer building practices. The Building Code Advisory Commission is recommending the Village Board adopt the 2020 editions of the International Code Council National Electric Code with a decreased number of amendments to simplify and streamline the Village’s building code process.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the ordinance.
Background
On September 18, 2020, the Village adopted the 2018 edition of the International Code Council Building Codes along with the 2017 edition of the National Electric Code, which became effective on September 21, 2020. During 2021 and 2022, the Building Code Advisory Commission (BCAC) reviewed and recommended the 2021 International Code Council’s Building Codes and recommended the National Fire Protection Agency’s 2020 edition of the National Electric Code.
The Village of Oak Par has published its own codes from 1916 through the 1960s. The codes evolved rapidly through changing trends and new technologies. As the construction industry became more organized, the three major regional code organizations across the United States ultimately merged into the International Code Council (ICC). Since the 1960s the Village had relied on the professional development of a code organization to provide a detailed and thorough code. Often, states adopt the International Code Council Codes. However, in Illinois, the responsibility of code adoptions is in the hands of the individual municipality, with the exception of the state-mandated Plumbing Code and Energy Code. Hence, staff is recommending this amendment today to update our existing codes through the Board’s approval of this recommendation.
Fiscal Impact
Funds were budgeted in the books & subscriptions account (1001.46250.101.550606) in fiscal year 2023 to cover the expense of new code books for staff.
DEI Impact
Adoption of the code will result in a reduction in fossil fuel usage.
Alternatives
The Village Board could elect to not adopt the recommended code changes and maintain the existing 2017 National Electric Code. However, it should be noted that the latest codes reflect the latest technologies and construction materials.
Previous Board Action
The Village Board, in 2019, had previously accepted the Building Code Advisory Commission’s recommendations and adopted the newer updated National Electric Code.
The 2017 National Electric Code currently in existence was adopted by the Village Board in September of 2019 and took effect in 2020.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Building Code Advisory Commission is recommending that the Village Board adopt the 2021 editions of the International Code Council Building Codes and the 2020 National Electric Code with a decreased number of amendments to simplify and streamline the Village Code process.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A