Lake Wales (Current through Ordinance 2023-17, Adopted 7-05-2023)
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 7. Buildings And Building Regulations   
 Article II. Building Standards
  

  Article II. Building Standards  

§ 7-25. Short title.
Latest version.

This article shall be known and cited as the building code of the City of Lake Wales.

(Ord. No. 96-10, § 1, 5-21-96)
§ 7-26. Building code—Adopted.
Latest version.

The most current edition of the Florida Building Code as established and maintained by the Florida Building Commission as amended from time to time is hereby adopted by reference.

(Code 1962, § 8-1; Ord. No. 90-12, § 1, 7-17-90; Ord. No. 96-10, § 1, 5-21-96; Ord. No. 2009-16, § 2, 6-2-09)
§ 7-27. Same—Penalty for violation.
Latest version.

Any person violating the provisions of the building code, as adopted by reference in the preceding section, shall be punished as provided in section 1-15.

(Code 1962, § 8-2)
§ 7-28. Building department authorized to furnish information and forms for filing notices of commencement.
Latest version.

(a) When an owner of real property upon which improvements are to be made applies (either in person or by an agent) for a building permit, the authority issuing such permit shall furnish to the applicant two (2) or more copies of a form of notice of commencement conforming with the provisions of F.S. § 713.135, together with a concise printed statement explaining the provisions of the Florida Mechanics' Lien Law, F.S. ch. 713 relating to the recording and to the posting of copies of notices of commencement and encouraging the owner to record a notice of commencement and post a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of F.S. § 713.135.

(b) No forms or statements need be furnished to applicants for permits in those cases where the owner of a legal or equitable interest (including that of ownership of stock of a corporate landowner) of the real property to be improved is engaged in the business of construction of buildings for sale to others and intends to make the improvements authorized by the permit on the real property and upon completion will offer the improved real property for sale.

(Code 1962, § 8-3.1)
§ 7-29. Fallout shelter requirements.
Latest version.

No permit shall be issued for the erection of a fallout shelter, unless the plans and specifications thereof have been approved in writing by the Office of the Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense.

(Code 1962, § 8-4.1)
§ 7-30. Building contractors; license required; examination; reciprocity.
Latest version.

(a) It shall be the duty of the building official to issue to competent building contractors of all construction trades who qualify as hereinafter set forth a proper license, and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation not thus licensed to engage in the trade or business of a general contractor in this city.

(b) The city does hereby enter into the membership of the Board of Examiners of Polk County and Municipalities, Inc., for the express purpose of allowing said board to handle competency examinations for the certification of all construction trades and for the issuance of certificates of competency for those who engage in general contracting within the city. The city manager will promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of setting up a system of reciprocity for the examination of all construction contractors and for the various participating municipalities in Polk County. The rules and regulations shall provide for a joint board of examiners by all participating municipalities in Polk County, and may provide a method for the qualifications of persons desiring to engage in the trade of general contracting in the city, and may provide that those who pass such examination are entitled to the issuance of a certificate of competency by the building official to each such successful applicant. No business tax receipt shall be issued to any person for the purpose of engaging in or working at or carrying on the business of general contracting unless such person is in possession of a proper and valid certificate of competency or state license as required under this chapter.

(c) The Board of Examiners of Polk County and Municipalities, Inc., may use any recognized testing agency or testing method that is available.

(d) The city does hereby establish, with other municipalities, a contractors' disciplinary board in accordance with F.S. § 489.131(7)(a), to discipline violations as set forth in F.S. § 489.129. The city shall appoint one (1) or more members to this board. Each appointee shall be a licensed contractor either registered or certified as a contractor with the state. The building official may submit to the board the name of any contractor who violates the building codes as adopted by the city code of ordinances.

(Code 1962, § 8-5; Ord. No. 90-12, § 1, 7-17-90; Ord. No. 92-12, §§ 1, 2, 9-22-92; Ord. No. 92-22, § 1, 1-5-93; Ord. No. 96-12, § 1, 6-4-96; Ord. No. 2006-47, § 3, 12-5-06)
§ 7-31. Residential code – Technical amendments.
Effective on Tuesday, October 18, 2016

R322.2.1 Elevation requirements.
1.Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas not designated as Coastal A Zones shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
2.Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas designated as Coastal A Zones shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot (305 mm), or to the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
3.In areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated at least as high above the highest adjacent grade as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM plus 1 foot, or at least 3 feet if a depth number is not specified.
4.Basement floors that are below grade on all sides shall be elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
Exception: Enclosed areas below the design flood elevation, including basements whose floors are not below grade on all sides, shall meet the requirements of Section R322.2.2.

R322.2.2 Enclosed areas below design flood elevation.   Enclosed areas, including crawl spaces, that are below the design flood elevation shall:
1.Be used solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage. The interior portion of such enclosed areas shall not be partitioned or finished into separate rooms except for stairwells, ramps, and elevators, unless a partition is required by the fire code.  The limitation on partitions does not apply to load bearing walls interior to perimeter wall (crawlspace) foundations. Access to enclosed areas shall be the minimum necessary to allow for the parking of vehicles (garage door) or limited storage of maintenance equipment used in connection with the premises (standard exterior door) or entry to the building (stairway or elevator).

(Ord. No. 2016-19, § 3, 10-18-16)