BUILDING REVIEW BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Recommend the adoption of the 2024 International Residential Code with proposed additional amendments to section R320.2, Visitability.
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Dudash, Chief Building Official
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
At the October 15th BRB meeting, staff presented several potential amendments to the existing Visitability requirements found in the Naperville Municipal Code Title 5 amendments to the International Residential Code. The intention of these additional amendments is to increase accessibility/Visitability in new residential construction.
BACKGROUND:
Title 5 of the Naperville Municipal Code outlines the City’s building regulations. Every six years or as required, the City adopts the then current applicable state, national and/or international building codes with or without local amendments.
A complete matrix highlighting the significant changes identified for each code section is attached. Within the attached table, an analysis is included for each code change, including whether the change is more or less restrictive, as well as the potential impact on cost and safety.
Where reasonable and consistent with City policies, staff recommends the adoption of the ICC set of codes as presented. However, there are items that do not meet these criteria and are therefore proposed as a local amendment. The significant changes and the proposed local amendments to the International Residential Code are provided below.
DISCUSSION:
Staff identified 10 significant changes to the 2024 IRC in the attached matrix and request no new amendments related to these changes. Staff is recommending 2 additional amendments to the Naperville Municipal Code existing amendments to the IRC, specifically Visitability, section R320.2
Washroom/Powder Room Design:
Single-family and attached single-family dwellings shall include at least one (1) bathroom or powder room on the main level that provides a minimum thirty-two (32) inch clear path to the toilet, lavatory, and shower/tub (if present). This bathroom or powder room shall be designed and constructed in a manner that allows a person to use a wheelchair or mobility aid access to plumbing fixtures and the concurrent ability to close the door while inside.
It is not essential to provide a full turning radius, although this would be preferred and encouraged. An outward-swinging door shall be permitted where space limitations exist, provided the hallway or adjacent space design allows the necessary clearances for safe egress.
Minimum Hallway Width:
The minimum width of a hallway or path to an exit access shall not be less than forty-two (42) inches. A cased opening or drywalled opening that functions as a transition between rooms, between hallways, or a transition from one space to another and that provides at least a thirty-two (32) inch clear passage, shall be permitted within a hallway segment for purposes of compliance with this section.
When Required:
To be consistent with existing Visitability requirements, compliance would be required in new construction. In the situation of an addition or remodeling, new construction would include additions which increases total square footage of a dwellings main level, and/or the addition of a main level washroom which did not previously exist. Visitability requirements would only apply to the addition itself and/or the washroom added.