| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the applicability of a fire code in an unincorporated |
|
|
area of a county. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 233.0615(a), Local Government Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (1-b) and amending |
|
|
Subdivision (2) to read as follows: |
|
|
(1-a) "Commercial establishment" means a building for |
|
|
the use or occupation of people for compensation or economic gain. |
|
|
(1-b) "Public building" means a building for the use |
|
|
or occupation of people for any public purpose. |
|
|
(2) "Substantial improvement" means: |
|
|
(A) the repair, alteration, restoration, |
|
|
reconstruction, improvement, or remodeling of an existing [a] |
|
|
building for which the cost exceeds 50 percent of the building's |
|
|
value according to the certified tax appraisal roll for the county |
|
|
for the year preceding the year in which the work was begun; [or] |
|
|
(B) a change in occupancy classification |
|
|
involving a change in the purpose or level of activity in a |
|
|
building, including the renovation of a warehouse into a loft |
|
|
apartment; or |
|
|
(C) the enlargement of an existing building. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 233.0615(b), Local Government Code, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(b) For purposes of this subchapter, substantial |
|
|
improvement begins on the date that the repair, alteration, |
|
|
enlargement, restoration, reconstruction, improvement, or |
|
|
remodeling or the change in occupancy classification begins or on |
|
|
the date materials are first delivered for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 3. Section 233.062(a), Local Government Code, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(a) The fire code applies only to the following buildings |
|
|
constructed in an unincorporated area of the county: |
|
|
(1) a commercial establishment; |
|
|
(2) a public building; and |
|
|
(3) a multifamily residential dwelling consisting of |
|
|
three [four] or more units. |
|
|
SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
|
|
an application for a permit for construction or substantial |
|
|
improvement submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
|
An application for a permit submitted before the effective date of |
|
|
this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
|
|
application was submitted, and the former law is continued in |
|
|
effect for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |