The Code Interpretation Library provides useful information on how the City interprets and applies certain regulations in the Land Development Code (Title 25 of the City Code), including site development and subdivision regulations, as well as technical (construction) codes.
Code Interpretations
- by Topic
- by Code Section
- by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Archived Interpretations
Contact Form
Code Interpretations by Topic
Accessibility |
CI2021-0001 - Accessible Routes of Travel and Parking Materials PM2021-0001 - No Step Threshold PM2021-0002 - Family or Assisted Use Toilet and Bathing Rooms |
Accessory Dwelling Unit | CI2021-0011 - Size Limitations for Accessory Dwelling Units |
Dwelling Units |
CI2021-0010 - Dwelling Unit Components PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units |
Electrical |
PM2023-0002 - Meeting Room Floor Outlets CI2023-0003 - Balcony Receptacle Outlets |
Exceptions | CI2023-0001 - Shed Roof Exception |
Fire | CI2021-0006 - Location of Emergency Shut Off Valve for Gas to Stove Hoods |
HVAC |
CI2021-0004 - Registers for Balancing Dampers CI2021-0005 - Fan-Powered Terminal Units CI2021-0007 - Automatic Shut Off for Air Moving Equipment in Existing Buildings PM2024-0004 - A2L Refrigerants |
Manufactured Housing |
CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing |
Mixed-Use | CI2021-0002 - Permitting of Mixed-Use and Multiple Occupancy Buildings |
Mobile Cell Sites | CI2023-0004 - Mobile Cell Sites Permitting Requirements |
Multifamily | CI2023-0003 - Balcony Receptacle Outlets |
NCCD | CI2021-0012-BOA - Parking Calculations in the North University NCCD |
Parking |
CI2021-0001 - Accessible Routes of Travel and Parking Materials CI2021-0012-BOA - Parking Calculations in the North University NCCD |
Permits |
CI2021-0002 - Permitting of Mixed-Use and Multiple Occupancy Buildings PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code |
Pipe Installation | CI2021-0009 - Trenching, Excavation, Bedding, and Backfilling of Piping |
Plumbing |
CI2021-0003 - Installation of Composting Toilets PM2022-0001 - Provent and Sovent Type DWV Systems PM2023-0001 - Medical Gas Permit and Verifier PM2024-0001 - Disinfection and Flushing of Building Potable Water Systems (1/10/24) |
Single-Family | CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing |
Specialized Certifications | PM2021-0003 - Worker Protection Standards – Applicability |
Subchapter F | CI2023-0001 - Shed Roof Exception |
Swimming Pools | CI2021-0008 - Mechanical and Pool Equipment in Required Yards |
Trees |
PM2024-0005 - Considerations for Removing a Protected Tree |
Code Interpretations by Code Section
Land Development Code (LDC) – Title 25
(Excluding Chapter 25-12 Technical Codes)
Chapter 25-1 – General Requirements and Procedures | Article 2 – Definitions | CI2021-0010 - Dwelling Unit Components |
CI2023-0004 - Mobile Cell Sites Permitting Requirements | ||
CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing | ||
Chapter 25-2 – Zoning | Subchapter C – Use and Development Regulations | CI2021-0008 - Mechanical and Pool Equipment in Required Yards |
CI2021-0011 - Size Limitations for Accessory Dwelling Units | ||
CI2023-0004 - Mobile Cell Sites Permitting Requirements | ||
CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing | ||
Subchapter F – Residential Design and Compatibility Standards | CI2021-0011 - Size Limitations for Accessory Dwelling Units | |
CI2023-0001 - Shed Roof Exception | ||
Chapter 25-5 – Site Plans |
Article 1 - Site Plans Generally |
PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code |
Chapter 25-6 – Transportation | Article 7 – Off-street Parking and Loading | CI2021-0012-BOA - Parking Calculations in the North University NCCD |
Chapter 25-8 - Environment |
Subchapter B - Tree and Natural Area Protection; Endangered Species |
PM2024-0005 - Considerations for Removing a Protected Tree |
Land Development Code (LDC) – Chapter 25-12 Technical Codes
(Including local amendments for relative adopted year)
International Building Code (IBC) | 2015 | CI2021-0001 - Accessible Routes of Travel and Parking Materials |
CI2021-0002 - Permitting of Mixed-Use and Multiple Occupancy Buildings | ||
PM2021-0002 - Family or Assisted Use Toilet and Bathing Rooms | ||
2021 |
PM2024-0001 - Disinfection and Flushing of Building Potable Water Systems PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units |
|
International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2015 | CI2021-0007 - Automatic Shut Off for Air Moving Equipment in Existing Buildings |
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) | 2015 | CI2021-0004 - Registers for Balancing Dampers |
International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 |
CI2021-0010 - Dwelling Unit Components PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units |
CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing | ||
National Electric Code (NEC) | 2020 | PM2023-0002 - Meeting Room Floor Outlets |
CI2023-0003 - Balcony Receptacle Outlets | ||
Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) | 2015 | CI2021-0004 - Registers for Balancing Dampers |
CI2021-0005 - Fan-Powered Terminal Units | ||
CI2021-0007 - Automatic Shut Off for Air Moving Equipment in Existing Buildings | ||
2024 | PM2024-0004 - A2L Refrigerants (8/15/24) | |
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | 2000/2003 UPC Answers and Analysis Manual | CI2021-0009 - Trenching, Excavation, Bedding, and Backfilling of Piping |
2012 | CI2021-0003 - Installation of Composting Toilets | |
2015 | CI2021-0006 - Location of Emergency Shut Off Valve for Gas to Stove Hoods | |
CI2021-0009 - Trenching, Excavation, Bedding, and Backfilling of Piping | ||
2021 | PM2022-0001 - Provent and Sovent Type DWV Systems | |
PM2024-0001 - Disinfection and Flushing of Building Potable Water Systems |
Additional Codes:
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) |
PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units |
|
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) | 2024 | PM2024-0001 - Disinfection and Flushing of Building Potable Water Systems |
International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2015 | CI2021-0004 - Registers for Balancing Dampers |
CI2021-0005 - Fan-Powered Terminal Units | ||
International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2015 | CI2021-0009 - Trenching, Excavation, Bedding, and Backfilling of Piping |
NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code | 2021 | PM2023-0001 - Medical Gas Permit and Verifier |
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) |
PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units |
City Code (Non-Title 25)
Title 4 – Business Regulations and Permit Requirements | Chapter 18 – General Permitting Standards | PM2021-0003 - Worker Protection Standards – Applicability |
Title 5 – Civil Rights | Chapter 5-1 – Housing Discrimination | PM2021-0001 - No Step Threshold |
Ordinances (Uncodified)
North University Neighborhood Conservation Combing District (NCCD), Ordinance No. 040826-58 | CI2021-0012-BOA - Parking Calculations in the North University NCCD |
Code Interpretations by Year
2024 |
PM2024-0001 - Disinfection and Flushing of Building Potable Water Systems PM2024-0002 - Modification Criteria for Review of Triplexes Under the International Residential Code (4/29/24) PM2024-0003 - Residential Breezeways Between Dwelling Units (5/29/24) PM2024-0004 - A2L Refrigerants PM2024-0005 - Considerations for Removing a Protected Tree |
2023 |
CI2023-0001 - Shed Roof Exception (4/21/23) CI2023-0003 - Balcony Receptacle Outlets (5/26/23) CI2023-0004 - Mobile Cell Sites Permitting Requirements (6/7/23) CI2023-0005 - Manufactured Housing (8/30/2023) PM2023-0001 - Medical Gas Permit and Verifier (2/28/23) PM2023-0002 - Meeting Room Floor Outlets (4/11/23) |
2022 | PM2022-0001 - Provent and Sovent Type DWV Systems (2/22/22) |
2021 |
CI2021-0011 - Size Limitations for Accessory Dwelling Units (7/1/21) CI2021-0012-BOA - Parking Calculations in the North University NCCD (10/1/21) |
2019 | PM2021-0003 - Worker Protection Standards – Applicability (10/1/21) |
2018 | CI2021-0010 - Dwelling Unit Components (10/1/21) |
2015 | CI2021-0009 - Trenching, Excavation, Bedding, and Backfilling of Piping (10/1/21) |
2014 |
CI2021-0004 - Registers for Balancing Dampers (10/1/21) CI2021-0005 - Fan-Powered Terminal Units (10/1/21) CI2021-0006 - Location of Emergency Shut Off Valve for Gas to Stove Hoods (10/1/21) CI2021-0007 - Automatic Shut Off for Air Moving Equipment in Existing Buildings (10/1/21) CI2021-0008 - Mechanical and Pool Equipment in Required Yards (10/1/21) PM2021-0002 - Family or Assisted Use Toilet and Bathing Rooms (10/1/21) |
2013 | PM2021-0001 - No Step Threshold (10/1/21) |
2012 |
CI2021-0002 - Permitting of Mixed-Use and Multiple Occupancy Buildings (10/1/21) CI2021-0003 - Installation of Composting Toilets (10/1/21) |
2011 | CI2021-0001 - Accessible Routes of Travel and Parking Materials (10/1/21) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are “code interpretations,” “policy memos,” and “rules”?
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- A “code interpretation” is a formal memo explaining how the City interprets and applies regulations in the Land Development Code (LDC). Code interpretations are appropriate if:
- A regulation can be read in different ways; and
- Providing clarification would benefit broad categories of development, rather just a specific project or permit application.
- A “policy memo” is less formal and used to provide updates or explanations on administrative process, rather than interpretations of the LDC.
- An “administrative rule” is a regulation adopted by an individual department and codified in a criteria manual, like the Environmental, Drainage, or Transportation criteria manuals. Unlike a code interpretation or policy memo, administrative rules adopt requirements implementing the LDC and are subject to procedures specified in City Code Chapter 1-2 (Adoption of Rules). Administrative rules can be found on the MuniCode website.
- A “code interpretation” is a formal memo explaining how the City interprets and applies regulations in the Land Development Code (LDC). Code interpretations are appropriate if:
- What is the “Code Interpretation Library”?
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The Library catalogs code interpretations the City uses as an aid to applying regulations governing site development, subdivision, and technical (construction) codes included in the LDC. The Library also provides departmental policy memos that address the process by which development applications are reviewed and approved. The library is organized by topic, code section, and date.
DSD maintains the Code Interpretation Library in consultation with other City departments involved in administering site development regulations. New interpretations are posted as they’re issued, and the site will be updated regularly to include older interpretations based on ongoing review.
- How can I request a code interpretation?
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Written code interpretations like those included in this library, are optional tools intended to provide greater clarity for those involved in or affected by the development process. Obtaining a code interpretation is never required to submit a development application, nor is every LDC requirement covered by a written interpretation.
A code interpretation may be requested by City staff or members of the public seeking clarification on LDC regulations administered by DSD.
To request a code interpretation, members of the public may submit this form.
The request should include the following information:- A list of the LDC section(s) for which a code interpretation is requested;
- The reasons why the requestor believes a code interpretation is necessary in order to clarify the listed LDC section(s);
- Examples, if the requestor is aware of any,of how the code section(s) have been interpreted or applied; and
- Any additional information the requestor believes is relevant to the proper interpretation of the listed LDC section(s).
- How does DSD issue code interpretations?
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Upon receiving a request for a code interpretation, the Building Official or Development Officer will issue an interpretation within 60 calendar days or explain why an interpretation will not be issued. DSD’s decision not to issue an interpretation is final.
DSD may also issue code interpretations on its own initiative. All interpretations, whether issued in response to a request or at the City’s initiative, will be emailed to the DSD Listserve and Community Registry and published on the Code Interpretation Library.
For general questions about the process, submit this form.
- What is the effect of a code interpretation?
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Once a code interpretation is issued, DSD will follow the interpretation unless Council amends the LDC section(s) for which the interpretation was issued or DSD determines that an interpretation was issued in error. If a code interpretation is determined to conflict with the Land Development Code (LDC) or other applicable regulation, the LDC controls over the code interpretation.
Archived Interpretations
Archived interpretations are provided for historical reference and are not applicable to projects subject to more recent regulations.
- CI2018-0425 - Components of a Habitable Attic
- CI2023-0002 - Public Pool Definition and Restroom Requirements