R0702 SingleFamily Home Repair Exemption

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R-07-02Single-Family Home Repair Exemption

• Board of Supervisors
• April 17, 2007

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Single-Family Home Repair Exemption

• Amends Zoning Regulations Section 1704.01 2003
  IBC Section 105.2 (work exempt from permits) with
  a list of home repairs not requiring permits
• Applies to single family homes only
• Not intended for additions or complete remodels
• 1,000 threshold for permits still applies to
  items not on the list

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Applicable State Statues

• A.R.S. Section 11-808
• Repairs Improvements "No permit shall be
  required for repairs or improvements of a value
  not exceeding five hundred dollars." (Zoning
  Regulations state "No building/use permit shall
  be required for repairs or improvements of a
  value not exceeding 1000.)
• A.R.S. Section 11-321
• The board of supervisors shall require a
  building permit for any construction of a
  building or an addition thereto exceeding a cost
  of one thousand dollarswithin its jurisdiction
• One copy of the building permitshall be
  transmitted to the county assessor  

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Proposed Exemptions

• Re-roofing (when no structural changes are
  required), re-siding or replacement of exterior
  trim.
• Replacing or adding gutters or downspouts.
• Replacing or adding soffit, gable or roof
  ventilation.
• Replacing existing windows or doors with no
  structural changes.
• Decks less than 30 inches in height above the
  lowest grade within 5feet of deck edge.
• Replacing existing plumbing fixtures (water
  closets, tubs, sinks, garbage disposals, water
  heaters, faucets etc.).
• Replacing existing appliances or internal light
  fixtures.
• Replacing or repairing existing furnace,
  air-conditioner, cooler, heat pump or heater.
• General landscaping including lawn sprinkler
  systems (subject to water conservation
  requirements) and retaining walls up to 4 feet in
  height.
• Installation of low-voltage wiring for security
  alarm systems.

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Proposed Exemptions, Con.

• Flooring of wood, vinyl, ceramic, stone, masonry
  or carpeting.
• Installation or removal of non-structural
  interior wall partitions, if no utilities are
  involved.
• Adding or replacing insulation in walls, floors
  or ceilings.
• Wood, concrete block or wire fences up to 6 feet
  high unless on a corner lot, exempt up to 3 feet
  high on corner lots.
• Painting (interior or exterior) and wallpapering.
• Concrete walkways (not in County Right of Way)
  and patio slabs. 
• Replacing cabinets or countertops. 
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall
  which do not project more than 54 inches.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory
  to a single family dwelling.
• Water Tanks supported directly on grade if the
  capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons and the
  ratio of height to diameter or width does not
  exceed 2 to 1.

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Commission Discussion Items

• Installation or removal of non-structural
  interior wall partitions, if no utilities are
  involved
• Concern that it is difficult to ascertain what is
  a structural wall
• Furnaces Recognize that many do not get furnace
  permits however we do have some who do
  sometimes fail inspections
• New connectionsinspectors check to make sure
  they do not leak
• If replacement is not same size, may be less
  clearance to combustible walls
• Vent requirements may differ
• Informational permit for items on the list,
  valued at 2,500 or greater to meet our
  commitment to the Assessor to provide permits

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Commission Recommendation

• Unanimous Vote (9-0) to
• Amend 1704.01 of the Zoning Regulations
  applicable sections of the Cochise County
  Building Safety Code
• With the list of Building Permit exemptions for
  Residential Home Improvement projects
• Applicable to existing single family residential
  home repairs only