NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that November 24, 2025 at 7:15 p.m. has been established as the date and time for the public hearing and second reading of Ordinance No. 25-68,  an ordinance amending Part Thirteen: Building Code of the City of Delaware Codified Ordinances by amending Chapters 1301, 1307, and 1321; Repealing Chapters 1315, 1317, and 1361, and enacting a new Chapter 1304, entitled registration of abandoned foreclosures, long-term rentals, and vacant properties.

MEMORANDUM

TO:                        City of Delaware City Council
FROM:                  Sandra Pereira, Director of Planning & Community Development
DATE:                  10 November 2025
RE:                        Amendments to Part 13: Building Code

Staff regularly reviews the Code of Ordinances to ensure it is kept up to date, relevant, and consistent with current practice. The proposed amendments to Part 13 are attached in Exhibit A. Below is a summary of the amendments being proposed to the Building Code.

Minor Overall Changes:

• Changing all references from “Building Inspector” to “Planning and Community Development Department”.
• Referring to the Board of Zoning Appeals (and outlining its procedures) as the Appeals board for Part 13, with the exception of Chapter 1307. (Commercial and Industrial appeals are heard by the Ohio Board of Building Standards)
• Instead of referencing specific codes by year, reference is now made to “the most recent adopted edition”, to avoid needing to amend the code each year.
• Referring to the correct section of the code for permit fees throughout.
• Making the penalty for violating the code in all chapters consistent.

Substantive Changes:

New Chapter 1304

 This chapter introduces three registries to the building code for Abandoned Foreclosures, Long Term Rentals, and Vacant Properties. These registries allow for a more accurate tracking of points of contact for non-owner-occupied properties. Having these registries will allow code enforcement officers to more easily find property owners when encountering property maintenance issues.

REMOVE Chapter 1315

This proposal would remove the requirement for contractors to register with the City prior to obtaining building and zoning permits. The current requirement creates a significant amount of work for staff on an annual basis and does not achieve the intended outcomes. A contractor who means to take advantage of a customer will more than likely not be applying for permits or registering. Staff will work in the coming months to educate the community on best practices when looking for a contractor to perform work. Contractors working in the public right-of-way and on public property will still be required to show proof of bonding and insurance prior to obtaining right-of-way permits.

REMOVE Chapter 1317.

This chapter was approved in 1967 and outlines outdated requirements to relocate entire buildings. The requirement to obtain a permit and coordinate with appropriate agencies remains but has been moved to Chapter 1321.

REMOVE Chapter 1361

Fences are no longer regulated by the Building Code (and have not been for decades) and the standards for the construction of a fence are outlined within the zoning code.

 The current Chapter 13 can be found here: Mini TOC: PART THIRTEEN - BUILDING CODE | Code of Ordinances | Delaware, OH | Municode Library