Butte County Board of Supervisors Agenda Transmittal

Transcription

1 Butte County Board of Supervisors Agenda Transmittal Clerk of the Board Use Only Agenda Item: 3.07 Subject: Resolution Recognizing May 2018 as Building Safety Month and Approval of the Amnesty Program for May and June Department: Development Services Meeting Date Requested: April 24, 2018 Contact: Tim Snellings Phone: Regular Agenda Consent Agenda Department Summary: (Information provided in this section will be included on the agenda. Attach explanatory memorandum and other background information as necessary). The Building Safety Month (May 2018) and the Permit Amnesty Program (May 1 through June 30) are aimed at protecting public health, home and business owner safety, and the environment by encouraging property owners to complete the County s permit process. These efforts are designed to ensure construction meets acceptable standards and to educate the public about building codes through outreach activities. The Amnesty Program provides property and business owners the opportunity to apply for permits for buildings, additions, and remodels not previously permitted with the following assistance: the 60% investigative building permit penalty fees would not be imposed; and a staff member will be assigned to assist the property owners through the application process. Compliance with the building permit process can assist property owners who may have their properties on the market where the sale may be jeopardized due to unpermitted work. Residential, industrial, and commercial unpermitted construction work or unpermitted commercial occupancies are eligible for the Amnesty Program. Fiscal Impact: General Fund will receive permit fee revenue, but penalty fees will not be imposed for the duration of the Amnesty Program. Personnel Impact: Does not apply. Action Requested: 1. Adopt resolution and authorize the Chair to sign; and 2. Approve a Building Permit Amnesty Program for May 1 through June 30 in which the 60% penalty fee would not be imposed to eligible applicants. Administrative Office Review: Casey Hatcher, Economic and Community Development Manager

2 Department of Development Services Tim Snellings, Director Pete Calarco, Assistant Director 7 County Center Drive T: Oroville, California F: buttecounty.net/dds MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: RE: Board of Supervisors Tim Snellings, Director Department of Development Services Building Safety Month (May) Amnesty Program for May 1 through June 30, 2018 DATE: April 24, 2018 Requested Action 1. Adopt the resolution recognizing May as Building Safety month; and 2. Approve a Building Permit Amnesty Program for May 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018 in which the 60% penalty fees are not be imposed. Background Staff is recommending the designation of Building Safety Month for May and an amnesty for property owners and business owners to obtain building permits on unpermitted work without the 60% penalty fee (Butte County Code Section 3-41(c)). This is similar to the Board approved program last year. The Building Safety Month and the Permit Amnesty Program is aimed at protecting public health, home and business owner safety, and the environment by encouraging property owners to complete the County s permit process. This helps ensure construction meets acceptable standards and is an opportunity to educate the public about building codes through outreach activities. The Amnesty Program provides property and business owners the opportunity to apply for permits for buildings, additions, and remodels not previously permitted with the following assistance: the 60% investigative building permit penalty fees would not be imposed; and a staff member will be assigned to assist the property owners through the application process

3 Compliance with the building permit process can assist those property owners that may have their properties on the market where the sale may be jeopardized due to unpermitted work. Residential, Industrial, and Commercial unpermitted construction work or unpermitted commercial occupancies are eligible for the Amnesty Program. Property owners who secure retroactive permits through the Amnesty Program must still comply with all provisions of Butte County development regulations (i.e. Building and Fire codes, Planning and Public Works/Land Development zoning and improvement standards, Health Department regulations, etc.).there may be circumstances due to zoning limitations or building codes, that the unpermitted construction cannot be permitted. Under this scenario, the property owner could be required to restore the structure and/or site to its previous condition. Building Permit Amnesty Program Goals Cost Effective Remedy. Give property and business owners a cost effective way to remedy any existing violations that may exist on their property. Resolve Violations. Resolve existing violations throughout Butte County to enhance the representation and appearance of the County. Ensure Safety. Ensure that all buildings and structures meet minimum fire safety, life safety, and minimum code requirements. Positive Relationship. Help create and maintain a positive relationship between the citizens of Butte County and County departments. The Amnesty Program would be from May 1 to June 30, Building and Safety Month, founded by the International Code Council (ICC), is an international campaign held during the month of May that raises awareness about building safety and the importance of current safety codes and the role of code officials in creating safe, sustainable structures that communities can rely on for generations to come. The campaign reinforces the need for adoption of modern, model building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement, and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system. The ICC and its 64,000 members present the campaign worldwide along with a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety community. Corporations, government agencies, professional associations, nonprofits, and more come together to support Building Safety Month because they understand the need for safe and sustainable structures where we live, work, and play. This year s theme is Building Codes Save Lives. Each week of Building Safety Month spotlights a specific area of building safety. Week One -(May 1-5): Partnering with Code Officials to Build Stronger, Safer Communities Page 2 of 3

4 Week Two (May 6-12): Advancing Resilient Communities Through Science & Technology Week Three (May 13-19): Protecting Communities from Disasters Week Four (May 20-26): Safeguarding Our Water Week Five (May 27-31): Improving Education & Training Standards for a Safer Tomorrow Additional information and resources on these weeks is available on the ICC website at the following link: Staff will have several outreach events in recognition of these weeks and events. Page 3 of 3

5 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAY 2018 AS BUILDING SAFETY MONTH Resolution No. WHEREAS, Whereas, Butte County is committed to recognizing our growth and strength depends on the safety and economic value of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve our citizens, both in everyday life and in times of natural disaster, and; WHEREAS, our confidence in the structural integrity of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers and others in the construction industry who work year round to ensure the safe construction of buildings, and; WHEREAS, our nation benefits economically and technologically from using the International Codes that are developed by a national, voluntary consensus codes and standards developing organization, our government is able to avoid the high cost and complexity of developing and maintaining these codes, which are the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation; these modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from natural disasters such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods and earthquake; and; WHEREAS, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities largely unknown local code officials who assure us of safe, efficient and livable buildings that are essential to keep America great, and; WHEREAS, Building Codes Save Lives the theme for Building Safety Month 2018, encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of building safe and resilient construction; fire prevention; disaster mitigation, and new technologies in the construction industry. Building Safety Month 2018 encourages appropriate steps everyone can take to ensure that the places where we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe, and recognizes that countless lives have been saved due to the implementation of safety codes by local and state agencies, and, WHEREAS, each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, Americans are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies in protecting lives and property. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims the month of May 2018, as Building Safety Month. To urge all citizens to participate in activities to help promote building safety, to create awareness as to the importance of construction and building codes, and to spotlight the role of dedicated code officials in administering these codes. Accordingly, citizens are encouraged to join with their communities in participation in Building Safety Month activities.

6 PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 24 th day of April, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: NOT VOTING: Steve Lambert, Chair Butte County Board of Supervisors ATTEST: Shari McCracken, Interim Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Deputy