Explanation of agency authority:
Section 227.11 (2) (a), Stats. authorizes the Department to promulgate rules interpreting any statute that is enforced or administered by the Department, if the rule is considered necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute. Section 101.63 (intro.) and (1) (intro.), Stats. require the department to adopt rules which establish standards for the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings, and s. 101.63 (5) Stats. requires the department to review the rules adopted under this subchapter once every 3 years. No set of rules may be adopted that has not taken into account the costs of specific code provisions to home buyers in relationship to the benefits derived from the provisions. Related statute or rule:
Various other rules promulgated by the Department in ch. SPS 320 address the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings. Plain language analysis:
Currently, provisions in ch. SPS 320 require building inspectors to post notices of compliance or non-compliance with the Uniform Dwelling Code at the job site and to notify the applicant and owner, in writing, of violations to be corrected. These revisions allow the building inspectors to deliver these notices electronically if mutually agreed upon by the applicant and inspector. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
Federal regulations do not provide provisions for inspection of one- and two-family dwelling construction other than those for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Administration (VA) housing projects. HUD Construction Inspection Reports are required to be filed as hard copies. VA housing Compliance Inspection Reports are also required to be hard copies. No proposed federal regulations were found relating to inspections of homes.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: An Internet-based search did not reveal the existence of a statewide one- and two-family dwelling code. Dwelling regulation appears to be left up to the individual local units of government.
Iowa: An Internet-based search revealed that the Iowa Building Code adopts the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The Iowa Building Code applies statewide to state owned and funded buildings. The IRC does not regulate the method of delivery for notices of compliance or non-compliance.
Michigan: An Internet-based search revealed a mandatory, statewide one- and two-family dwelling code. The Residential Construction Code under the Construction Code Commission’s General Rules, in section 408.305, contains the state amendments to the 2009 International Residential Code developed by the International Code Council. The IRC does not regulate the method of delivery for notices of compliance or non-compliance.
Minnesota: An Internet-based search revealed a mandatory, statewide one- and two-family dwelling code. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, in Chapter 1309, adopts by reference Chapters 2 through 10, 44, Section P2904 and Appendix K from the 2012 International Residential Code as amended in Minnesota. Chapters 2-10 contain the general construction provisions of the IRC. Notices and orders issued by the building official are required to be in writing unless waived by the applicant, contractor, owner, or owner’s agent. Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Department received input during meetings with the Dwelling Code Council. The makeup of this Council is established under s. 15.407 (10), Stats. and consists of members who are appointed by the Governor. The Council includes representatives of several types of small businesses. These businesses provide input on design, construction, and inspection interests relative to the Uniform Dwelling Code. Through this Council, the Department was able to gather information on the potential impacts of the rule revisions contained herein. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
SECTION 1.
SPS 320.10 (4) (a) 1. and 2. are amended to read: SPS 320.10 (4) (a) 1. Notice of compliance or noncompliance with this code shall be written on the building permit or another readily visible means and posted at the job site. Alternatively, the notice may be delivered electronically if mutually agreed upon by the applicant and inspector.
2. Upon finding of noncompliance, the municipality or authorized UDC inspection agency enforcing this code shall also notify the applicant of record and the owner, in writing, of the violations to be corrected. Alternatively, the notification may be delivered electronically if mutually agreed upon by the applicant and inspector.
SECTION 2.
EFFECTIVE DATE. The rules adopted in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin administrative register, pursuant to s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(END OF TEXT OF RULE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
