City staff to seek public hearing to adopt 2024 International Codes, raise permit fees and update downtown C1 rules

Codes Director Gingry told the board the city must remain within seven years of the latest published building‑code editions and recommended the city call a public hearing and adopt a package of 2024 International Codes. “We are required by state by the state to stay within the last seven years of the latest published edition,” Gingry said, adding the electrical code will be the 2023 edition and the energy code must remain at the 2018 edition because the city cannot be more stringent than the state.

Gingry said staff have prepared ordinances and called out three linked actions: the code adoptions, a proposed permit‑fee schedule, and updates to the C1 downtown zoning district. He said the permit‑fee schedule reflects a table from the 2024 ICC code and that, under the proposed fees, last year's 217 permits that generated $31,336 would have produced about $82,157. “If there are no recommended changes from the board, then we would also move forward with a calling for a public hearing and then would adopt it with the building codes in July,” Gingry said.

On the C1 zoning update (the downtown square and adjacent blocks), Gingry described two new additions staff drafted: a building‑facade section to guide remodeling and new construction so downtown character is maintained, and a temporary container/dumpster permit to regulate placement and time on site (a 14‑day baseline with renewals for larger projects). Board members asked how enforcement and timing would work; Gingry said the permit will document placement, contact information and renewal options and that building inspectors could extend time where demolition or large projects require it.

The board agreed to call the items to Tuesday’s meeting for a public‑hearing request; Gingry said if the board requests changes the package would return to the planning commission before a July ordinance vote. The public hearing call moves formal consideration to the June 9/July ordinance cycle.

Next steps: staff will advertise the hearing and prepare the ordinances; the board will vote on the ordinances in July after the public hearing and any required planning‑commission follow‑up.