Council to introduce package updating building, fire, plumbing and property-maintenance codes

The City of Lebanon introduced a package of code updates that would adopt the 2018 editions of multiple International Code Council (ICC) model codes and amend local fire, property maintenance and carbon monoxide-alarm ordinances.

Mayor (unnamed) summarized the package as required updates to the Commonwealth's uniform construction code and local clarifications. Items introduced include adoption of the 2018 International Building Code and related codes (residential, existing building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, energy conservation, and fire code) with local inserts such as flood mapping dates, sewer depth (42 inches), ground-snow-load and wind-speed values, demolition-signage requirements, and updated enforcement language.

Key fire-code changes described to the council would rename the position of "fire commissioner" to "fire chief," add late fees for alarm permits, restore and fund annual fire and life-safety inspections for certain occupancies (with reinspection fees starting at $100), and shift responsibility for annual private-hydrant inspections to the hydrant owner with proof of third-party inspection submitted to the city. The fire code package would also add fire-watch service fees and clarify that open-flame cooking devices are not permitted on public sidewalks. The city is proposing higher minimum fines for fire-code violations; first-offense penalties would rise to $500 in some instances.

The property maintenance code changes include stronger language on owner notification when structural changes affect historic districts, incremental penalties for repeated violations, a buyer-notification requirement on ownership transfer (mirroring a separate article), new requirements related to insect screens and trailer/motor-vehicle storage (operational and registered after five days), and a new locally adopted, trap-neuter-return (TNR) approach for stray/feral cats requiring cooperation with a city-sponsored humane program (cited as PAWS of PA in remarks).

Council also introduced a local amendment to the city's carbon monoxide-alarm ordinance to align placement language with the National Fire Protection Association standard cited in staff remarks.

Council members asked for clarifications on signage definitions, how private hydrants are defined, and whether some language should be adjusted; the mayor and staff said the solicitor (Andy) and department leads will return with brief clarifications for the formal vote. Several council members volunteered to carry individual ordinances to the next meeting. No ordinances were adopted at the session; each was introduced for consideration and scheduled for the next council meeting.