Title
(CONTINUED FROM MAY 19, 2021) - Amendment to Phoenix Fire Code and Modification of Fire Prevention Fee Schedule (Ordinance G-6854)
Description
Request City Council authorization to adopt an ordinance making amendments to the Phoenix Fire Code and modifications to the Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule, Phoenix City Code, Chapter 15, Appendix A.
Report
Summary
The 2018 International Fire Code with Phoenix amendments was adopted by the Phoenix City Council on March 4, 2020 and codified on April 4, 2020. As with any large code that is actively utilized by the community, clarifications, adjustments and amendments are often implemented to ensure the code language is clear, understandable, concise, and provides consistent outcomes for renewable energy contractors, fire protection contractors, construction contractors, radio communications, the high-rise community, developers, and other industry groups. The clarifications, adjustments, and amendments that have been identified in the Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule are intended to provide clarified language to meet our residents, businesses, and development community’s needs in order to provide consistent outcomes of fire code interpretation. This action will ensure the City of Phoenix is utilizing a progressive code that reflects the current evolution of building materials, technologies, and industry practice to provide safety and reduce the cost of construction and compliance.
The Fire Safety Advisory Board (FSAB) has reviewed the attached amendments to the Phoenix Fire Code and modifications to the Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule and has approved the changes in a public meeting.
The full details of the proposed amendments to the Fire Code are provided in the attachment, “Proposed Clarifications, Adjustment, and Amendments to the City of Phoenix 2018 Fire Prevention Code” and proposed modifications to the Fee Schedule are provided in the attachment, "Proposed Adjustment to the City of Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule."
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes section 9-499.15, the City of Phoenix provided notice to the public of proposed adoptions of, or changes to, municipal taxes or fees. Specifically, the Phoenix Fire Department posted notice of its intent to standardize and alter fees charged for Fire Prevention permits and associated activities. These fees cover administrative, educational, investigative and inspection-related costs related to enforcement of the Phoenix Fire Code, Chapter 15 Revision on March 4, 2020 by Ordinance G-6677, effective April 4, 2020. The Fee Schedule can be viewed at <https://www.phoenix.gov/fire/prevention/fire-code>.
The effective date of the Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule, Appendix A, if adopted by Council, would be approximately 30 days following City Council Formal approval.
Public Outreach
On March 16, 2021, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes section 9-499.15, the City of Phoenix provided notice to the public of proposed adoptions of, or changes to, municipal taxes or fees.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Jeff Barton and the Fire Department.