§ 25-12-243 - LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE.
Each provision in this section is a substitute for the identically numbered provision deleted in Section 25-12-241(B), (C), and (D) (International Residential Code) or is an addition to the 2024 International Residential Code.
R101.2.2 Plumbing. The provisions of the International Plumbing Code and the Plumbing Code apply when a person installs, alters, repairs, and replaces plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and appurtenances, and where connected to a water or sewage system. The Plumbing Code supersedes the International Plumbing Code to the extent of conflict.
Exception:
1. A residential fire sprinkler system shall be designed and installed as required by Section P2904 and shall comply with the Fire Code. Backflow prevention shall be provided as required by the Plumbing Code.
2. Chapter 30 (Sanitary Drainage), Chapter 31 (Vents), and Chapter 32 (Traps) in the 2024 International Residential Code may apply to tiny houses used as single-family homes to the point of the building drain and the building sewer junction. Water conservation and backflow prevention requirements shall comply with the Plumbing Code.
R101.2.3 Building Criteria Manual. Additional information on procedures and rules related to administering the Residential Code is available in the Building Criteria Manual.
R101.2.4 Persons authorized to obtain permits for mechanical work. Except as otherwise provided in Section R105 (Permits), only an air conditioning and refrigeration contractor licensed by the State of Texas to perform mechanical work and registered with the City may obtain a permit required by the Residential Code to perform mechanical work.
R104.10 Flood Hazard Areas. A request for a variance to a flood hazard area requirement is decided in accordance with Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Hazard Areas).
R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit. A permit is not required for the work described in this provision. Work exempt from a permit must still comply with this code and all other applicable laws and City Code requirements.
Building:
1. A one-story detached accessory structure that is no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m 2 ) of floor area, no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in height, does not create a dwelling, contains no plumbing, and is not located within a flood hazard area.
2. Unless located within a flood hazard area, a fence that is not over seven feet (2,133.6 mm) high.
3. Unless supporting a surcharge or located within a flood hazard, a retaining wall that is not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
4. A water tank that is supported directly upon grade if the tank's capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallon and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1, and the tank is not located within a flood hazard area.
5. A sidewalk, driveway or concrete flatwork that is not located in the public right-of-way.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
7. A swimming pool that is prefabricated and less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep. Anything not covered under Section 801.1 (General) of the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code will be exempt.
8. Playground equipment, including a swing.
9. A window awning that does not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and the only required support is the exterior wall.
10. Decks that meet the following criteria:
a. Do not exceed an area of 200 square feet (18.58 m 2 );
b. Do not exceed a height of 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point;
c. Are not attached to a dwelling or townhouse;
d. Do not provide egress from the dwelling; and
e. Are not located within a flood hazard area.
11. A gypsum board repair that does not exceed 128 square feet, is not part of a fire resistance rated construction assembly, a shear-wall assembly, or a tub and shower surround.
12. Asphalt shingles that replace existing asphalt shingles, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50 percent or more of the roofing is being replaced.
13. Replacement of any roof covering that does not adversely affect the roof structure, unless the property is located in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and 50 percent or more of the roofing is being replaced.
14. A foundation repair that does not exceed 128 square feet.
15. A floor decking repair that does not exceed 128 square feet.
16. A non-structural exterior deck repair that is limited to the existing deck boards and does not include guardrails or handrails.
17. Repairing or replacing exterior trim components including wood fascia, trim, and soffits.
18. Siding that does not exceed 128 square feet and is not part of a fire-resistance rated assembly.
19. Roof decking that does not exceed 128 square feet.
20. Replacing or installing an overhead garage door on a garage.
21. Replacing doors of same size and operation.
22. Other work as determined by the building official.
Mechanical:
1. A portable heating appliance.
2. A portable ventilation appliance.
3. A portable cooling unit.
4. A steam, hot- or chilled-water pipe within heating or cooling equipment regulated by the Residential Code.
5. Replacing a minor part of equipment that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. A portable evaporative cooler.
7. A self-contained refrigeration system that contains 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that is actuated by motors of one horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. A portable-fuel-cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed pipe system and is not interconnected to a power grid.
9. Replacing supply and return duct runs.
10. Replacing an exhaust or dryer duct run measuring less than 15 feet (4,572 mm) in length.
11. Increase the number of supply registers within existing duct run.
12. Other work as determined by the building official.
R105.3.1.1 In flood hazard areas, determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings. For an application to reconstruct, rehabilitate, add or otherwise improve an existing building or structure located in a flood hazard area, the building official shall examine or require another to examine the construction documents and shall prepare a finding with regard to the value of the proposed work. If the work is a substantial improvement as defined in Section R202 (Definitions), the proposed work shall comply with Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Hazard Areas).
R105.5 Time Limits. Article 13 (Administration of Technical Codes) of Chapter 25-12 establishes permit application time limits and requirements applicable to permit expiration and reactivation, including a review fee for expired permits.
R105.10 Registration. An air conditioning and refrigeration contractor shall register with the City before performing any work regulated by this code.
R106.1.4 Information for Construction in Flood Hazard Areas. For a building or structure located in whole or in part in flood hazard areas as established by Table R301.2(1) (Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria), the construction documents shall comply with Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Hazard Areas).
R109.5 Residential change-out program. The building official may establish, by rule, an inspection program for repair or replacement of certain components in individual owned and occupied dwellings within the zoning jurisdiction of the City.
R112.5 Modifications from flood plain management regulations. A request for a variance to a flood hazard area requirement is decided in accordance with Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Hazard Areas).
R202 Definitions
HEIGHT, BUILDING has the same meaning as "height" as defined in City Code Section 25-1-21 (Definitions).
START OF CONSTRUCTION means the date a permit is issued for new construction or substantial improvements to existing structures if construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement or other improvement starts within 180 days from the date the permit is issued. Construction starts when permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) is first placed and includes pouring a slab or footing, installing pilings, or constructing columns. Permanent construction does not include preparing land (clearing, excavating, grading, or filing); installing streets or walkways; excavating for a basement, footing, pier, or foundation, erecting temporary forms or installing accessory buildings not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main building. For a substantial improvement, construction starts when a wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building is altered even if the alteration does not affect the external dimensions of the building.
SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE means an amount of damage that results in restoration costs that equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT means any combination of repairs, alterations, reconstructions, rehabilitations, additions, or improvements to a building or structure during the immediate 10-year period with cumulative costs that equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the improvement or repair is started or, if the structure was damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. If the structure has sustained substantial damage, any repairs are considered substantial improvement regardless of the actual repair work performed. Substantial improvement does not include:
1. an improvement required to correct existing health, sanitary, safety code violations identified by the building official and that are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
2. an alteration to a historic structure if the alteration will not disqualify the structure from continuing its designation as a historic structure, which means a structure that is listed or preliminarily determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, determined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district, or a district preliminarily determined to qualify as a historic district, or designated as historic under a State of Texas or local historic preservation program that is approved by the United States Department of the Interior.
SURCHARGE means the vertical load imposed on retained soil that may impose a lateral force in addition to the lateral earth pressure of retained soil.
VISITABLE DWELLING means a dwelling subject to Visitability requirements in section R322 (Accessibility and Visitability).
TABLE R301.2 CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA
Ground Snow Load o | Wind Design | Seismic Design Category | Subject to Damage From | Ice Barrier Underlayment Required h | Flood Hazards g | Air Freezing Index i | Mean Annual Temp j
Speed d (mph) | Topographic Effects k | Special Wind Region l | Windborne Debris zone m | Weathering a | Frost Line Depth b | Termite c
5 | 105 | No | No | No | A | Negligible | 12 in (305 mm) | Yes | No | Construction Commenced After 9/2/1981 | 30 | 68.1
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIA
Elevation | Altitude correction factor | Coincident wetbulb | Indoor winter design drybulb temperature | Indoor winter design dry-bulb temperature | Outdoor winter design dry-bulb temperature | Heating temperature difference
597 | M | 74 | 72 | 30 | 42
Latitude | Daily range | Indoor summer design relative humidity | Indoor summer design relative humidity | Indoor summer design dry-bulb temperature | Outdoor summer design dry-bulb temperature | Cooling temperature difference
30 | M | 50 | 74 | 100 | 26
R301.2.4 Floodplain Construction. A building or structure constructed in whole or in part in a flood hazard area (including A Zones) as established in Table R301.2(1) and substantial improvement and repair of substantial damage of a building or structure in a flood hazard area shall be designed and constructed according to Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Loads and Hazard Areas).
R318.2 Egress Door. Not less than one egress shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The egress door shall be a side-hinged, pivoted, or balanced door type and shall provide a clear width not less than 32 inches (813 mm) where measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). The clear height of the door opening shall not be less than 78 inches (1981 mm) in height measured from the top of the threshold to the bottom of the stop. Other doors shall not be required to comply with these minimum dimensions. Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling unit without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
R322 Accessibility and Visitability.
R322.1 Scope. Where there are three or more dwelling units or sleeping units in a single structure, the provisions of Chapter 11 (Accessibility) of the Building Code for Group R-3 shall apply. Visitability Section R322 shall apply to the new construction of dwelling units that are subject to this code and include habitable space on the first floor.
Exceptions:
1. Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms are not required to be accessible.
2. Existing buildings subject to the Building Code shall comply with the Existing Building Code Section 306 (Accessibility for Existing Buildings).
3. Tiny homes as defined by the Residential Code.
4. Remodels and additions to existing visitable dwellings shall not eliminate previously approved Visitability features without replacing them with equally compliant features required for new dwellings with permit application dates as shown below:
a. Existing dwellings with a building permit application filing date between February 10, 2014 and June 30, 2015, shall remain compliant with Visitability requirements with the exception of Section R322.9 (Exterior Visitable Route).
b. Existing dwellings with a building permit application filing date of July 1, 2015 and later shall remain compliant with all Visitablility requirements including an Exterior Visitable Route. Dwellings that were exempted from the provision of an Exterior Visitable Route per Section R322.9.1 (Waiver of Exterior Visitable Route) shall not be retroactively required to provide an Exterior Visitable Route or reapply for a waiver.
R322.2 Live/Work Units. In live/work units, the nonresidential portion shall be accessible in accordance with Sections 508.5.9 and 508.5.11 of the Building Code. In a structure where there are four or more live/work units, the dwelling portion of the live/work unit shall comply with Section 1108.6.2.1 of the Building Code.
R322.3 Care Facilities. Where care facilities are permitted to be constructed in accordance with Section R101.2, the portions of the dwelling used to operate a business providing care shall be accessible in accordance with Chapter 11 (Accessibility) of the Building Code.
R322.4 Compliance Required at Plan Review. A permit application for a visitable dwelling must include detailed plans that demonstrate compliance with Section R322 (Visitability).
R322.5 Visitable Bathrooms. A visitable dwelling must be designed and constructed with at least one bathroom group or a half bath on the first floor that meets the following requirements:
1. a clear opening of at least 30 inches;
2. lateral two-inch by six-inch or larger nominal wood blocking is installed flush with stud edges of bathroom walls; and
3. except for the portion of the wall located directly behind the lavatory, the centerline of the blocking is 34 inches from and parallel to the interior floor level.
R322.6 Visitable Light Switches, Receptacles, and Environmental Controls. The first floor of a visitable dwelling must meet the following requirements:
1. light switches and environmental controls are less than 48 inches above the interior floor level; and
2. except for floor outlets and receptacles, outlets and receptacles are at least 15 inches above the interior floor level.
R322.7 Visitability Bathroom Route. A bathroom group or half bathroom designated for visitability under R322.5 (Visitable Bathrooms) must be accessible by a route with a clear opening of at least 32 inches that begins at the visitable entrance designated under R322.8 (Visitable Dwelling Entrance) and continues through the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and is level with ramped or beveled changes at door thresholds.
Exception: Provided an alternate route is available, a visitable route is not required through an area located on a split-level or sunken floor.
R322.8 Visitable Dwelling Entrance. A visitable dwelling must include at least one no-step entrance with a beveled threshold of one-half inch or less and a door with a clear width of at least 32 inches. This entrance may be located at the front, rear, side, or in the garage or carport of the dwelling.
R322.9 Exterior Visitable Route. An entrance that complies with R322.8 (Visitable Dwelling Entrance) must be accessible using a route with a cross slope of no greater than two percent (1:50) that originates from a garage, driveway, public street, or public sidewalk. An exterior route that includes a ramp must comply with the Residential Code.
R322.9.1 Waiver of Exterior Visitable Route Provision for Certain Properties. The requirements of R322.9 do not apply to a lot with 10 percent or greater slope that existed prior to development; or to a property that requires the use of switchbacks to comply with R322.9.
The Building Official may also waive the requirements for an Exterior Visitable Route if the applicant provides documentation as required by the Building Official.
R325.9 Required Air Conditioning.
1. An owner shall:
a. provide, and maintain, in operating condition, refrigerated air equipment capable of maintaining a room temperature that is at least 15 degrees cooler than the outside temperature, but in no event higher than 85°F in each habitable room; and
b. maintain all fixed air conditioning systems, including air conditioning unit covers, panels, conduits, and disconnects, in operating condition, property attached; and
2. The required room temperatures shall be measured three feet (914 mm) above the floor near the center of the room and two feet (610 mm) inward from the center of each exterior wall.
R905.7.4 Material Standards for Wood Shingles. Wood shingles shall be of naturally durable wood and shall comply with the requirements of Section R902.2 and Table R905.7.4.
R905.8.5 Material Standards for Wood Shakes. Wood shakes shall comply with the requirements of Section R902.2 and Table R905.8.5.
Part IV (Energy Conservation)
Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency
N1101.1 Scope. The residential provisions of City Code Chapter 25-12, Article 12 (Energy Code) apply to the design and construction of buildings regulated by the Residential Code.
Source: Ord. No. 20170406-048, Pt. 1, 7-5-17; Ord. No. 20191114-064, Pts. 20—26, 11-25-19; Ord. No. 20210603-054, Pt. 1, 9-1-21; Ord. No. 20250410-040, Pt. 1, 7-10-25.
