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(a) 
Adoption.
The International Building Code, 2021 edition, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted and designated as the building code of the city, the same as though the provisions of the International Building Code, 2021 edition, were copied at length in this section, subject to the deletions, amendments, and additions provided in subsection (b).
(b) 
Amendments.
The International Building Code, 2021 edition, as adopted in section 3.03.031(a) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Caldwell, Texas, is hereby amended as follows.[1]
[1]
Editor's note–The 2021 IBC amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(Ordinance 05-19-2020 adopted 5/19/20; Ordinance 1-21-2025-A adopted 1/28/2025)
(a) 
Adoption.
The International Residential Code, 2021 edition; including appendices AE, AH, AN and AQ; a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted and designated as the residential building code of the city, the same as though these provisions of the International Residential Code, 2021 edition, were copied at length in this section; subject to the deletions, amendments, and additions provided in subsection (b).
(b) 
Amendments.
The International Residential Code, 2021 edition, as adopted in section 3.03.032(a) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Caldwell, Texas, is hereby amended as follows.[1]
[1]
Editor's note–The 2021 IRC amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(Ordinance 05-19-2020 adopted 5/19/20; Ordinance 1-21-2025-A adopted 1/28/2025)
The city council shall appoint a building official or inspector, or provide for inspections under contract on an as-needed basis, or provide for building inspections under whatever arrangement the city council deems to be in the best interest of the city.
(1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(B))
Appeals under the building code and enforcement thereof shall be directed to the city council.
(1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(H))
Neither the city, nor any authorized agent, acting under the terms of this division shall be liable or have any liability by reason of orders issued, work done, inspections made, or failure to make inspections under the terms of this division.
(1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(I))
(a) 
If a residential structure is equal to or greater than 500 square feet in size and it is proposed to be placed on a slab on grade, the slab shall be engineered. For slabs on grade less than 500 square feet, the minimum foundation standards found in (d) may be used.
(b) 
If a commercial structure has a span in any direction greater than twenty-four (24) feet long and it is proposed to be placed on a slab on grade, the slab shall be engineered. For slabs on grade with a span less than twenty-four (24) feet long, the minimum foundation standards found in (d) may be used.
(c) 
All slabs shall comply with the standard set forth in the International Building Code and International Residential Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Caldwell.
(d) 
Minimum foundation standards:
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(1) 
Exterior beam shall extend a minimum of six inches into undisturbed soil or fill which is compacted to 95% Standard Proctor (ASTM D 698) within (+/-) 2% of optimum moisture content. All fill material shall have a Plasticity Index (P.I.) between five and 18.
(2) 
Maximum beam spacing shall be 15 feet and shall be continuous over the length or width of the foundation.
(3) 
Steel to be set to clear bare earth minimum 3", wood or steel forms by 1-1/2".
(4) 
Minimum concrete specified compression strength shall be 3000 psi at 28 days.
(5) 
Masonry fireplace footings shall be a minimum of 30" deep with two mats of #5's at 12" O.C. both ways.
(6) 
Reinforcing steel shall be grade 60 (grade 40 allowed for stirrups only). All deformations shall meet ASTM A615.
(7) 
These minimum standards shall apply as the International Building and Residential Code amendments specify.
(8) 
All foundations designed by an architect or engineer registered in the State of Texas shall be installed as designed. Revisions and exceptions must be submitted in writing by the architect or engineer and approved by the Building Official.
(Ordinance 4-15-25-E adopted 4/15/2025)
[1]
Editor’s note–Former section 3.03.036 pertaining to setback or residential building line requirements and deriving from 1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(C), was repealed and replaced as set out herein by Ordinance 4-15-25-E adopted 4/15/2025.
[1]
Editor’s note–Former section 3.03.037 pertaining to unsafe buildings and deriving from 1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(D), was repealed by Ordinance 4-15-25-E adopted 4/15/2025.
[1]
Editor’s note–Former section 3.03.038 pertaining to the fire district, was repealed by Ordinance 4-15-25-E adopted 4/15/2025. Prior to repeal, this section derived from the following: 1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(E) and Ordinance 09-2022C adopted 9/20/2021.
(a) 
All residential and commercial buildings shall be skirted to ground level with a material approved by the city. In the event the building is to be occupied before the skirting is completed, any application for utility services filed by the occupant or owner shall be a conditional application, and the city shall provide utility services to the building for thirty (30) days only. This provisional utility service shall be conditioned that the occupant or owner shall complete the skirting within (30) days after occupancy. This conditional service shall expire after thirty (30) days. If the applicant has completed the skirting within the thirty (30) day period, the city may provide utility services in the same manner as to other buildings. In the event the skirting is not completed within the thirty (30) day period, the city shall deny the occupant utility services until the occupant has completed the skirting.
(b) 
Officials of the city designated by the city council are authorized and directed to make such inspections as are necessary to determine compliance with this section. Such inspection officers shall have the power to enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the enforcement of this section.
(1989 Code, ch. 3, sec. 1(G))
The International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, is hereby adopted and designated as the residential building code of the city, the same as though these provisions of the International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition, were copied at length in this section; subject to the deletions, amendments, and additions provided in subsection (b) [sic].
(Ordinance 05-19-2020 adopted 5/19/20; Ordinance 1-21-2025-A adopted 1/28/2025)
Wherever in this division or in the codes adopted by reference herein an act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, or wherever in such code or ordinance the doing of an act is required or the failure to do any act is declared to be unlawful and no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision shall be punishable by fine as provided for in section 1.01.009 of this code. Provided, however, that no penalty shall be greater or less than the penalty provided for the same or a similar offense under the laws of the state. Each day any violation of this division shall continue shall constitute a separate offense unless otherwise designated. Any violation of any provision of this division which constitutes an immediate danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public may be enjoined in a suit brought by the city for such purposes.
(Ordinance 05-19-2020 adopted 5/19/20)