Fire Code Board of Appeals

Rules and Regulations

Planning and Development Services 

Offices: City Hall Riverfront, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 320
Main phone number: 785-832-7700

Updated Building Codes Effective July 1, 2019

The City of Lawrence has adopted the 2018 International Code Council construction codes (2018 I-Codes) and 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) effective July 1, 2019. In conjunction with adoption of the newest editions of building codes, regulations governing the administration of the building codes have been updated to add contractor license categories for roofing and swimming pool contractors, update contractor licensing regulations, and consolidate the Building Code Board of Appeals, Contractor Licensing Board, Electrical Code Board of Appeals, Fire Code Board of Appeals, Mechanical Code Board of Appeals and Plumbing Code board of Appeals into a single Appeals Board to be known as the Building Code Board of Appeals. For questions you may contact Barry Walthall, Building Codes Manager at 785-832-3101.
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Board of Appeals

2015 IFC Appendix A

A101.1 Scope.

A board of appeals shall be established within the jurisdiction for the purpose of hearing applications for modification of the requirements of the International Fire Code pursuant to the provisions of Section 108 of the International Fire Code . The board shall be established and operated in accordance with this section, and shall be authorized to hear evidence from appellants and the fire code official pertaining to the application and intent of this code for the purpose of issuing orders pursuant to these provisions.

A101.2 Membership.

The membership of the board shall consist of five voting members having the qualifications established by this section. Members shall be nominated by the fire code official or the chief administrative officer of the jurisdiction, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the governing body. Members shall serve without remuneration or compensation, and shall be removed from office prior to the end of their appointed terms only for cause.

A101.3 Terms of office.

Members shall be appointed for terms of four years. No member shall be reappointed to serve more than two consecutive full terms.

A101.3.1 Initial appointments.

Of the members first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, two for a term of 2 years, one for a term of 3 years.

A101.3.2 Vacancies.

Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the manner in which original appointments are required to be made. Members appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term shall be eligible for reappointment to two full terms.

A101.3.3 Removal from office.

Members shall be removed from office prior to the end of their terms only for cause. Continued absence of any member from regular meetings of the board shall, at the discretion of the applicable governing body, render any such member liable to immediate removal from office.

A101.4 Quorum.

Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum. In varying the application of any provisions of this code or in modifying an order of the fire code official , affirmative votes of the majority present, but not less than three, shall be required.

A101.5 Secretary of board.

The fire code official shall act as secretary of the board and shall keep a detailed record of all its proceedings, which shall set forth the reasons for its decisions, the vote of each member, the absence of a member and any failure of a member to vote.

A101.6 Legal counsel.

The jurisdiction shall furnish legal counsel to the board to provide members with general legal advice concerning matters before them for consideration. Members shall be represented by legal counsel at the jurisdiction’s expense in all matters arising from service within the scope of their duties.

A101.7 Meetings.

The board shall meet at regular intervals, to be determined by the chairman. In any event, the board shall meet within 10 days after notice of appeal has been received.

Instructions for: Fire Code Board of Appeals Letter of Appeal

A101.8 Conflict of interest.

Members with a material or financial interest in a matter before the board shall declare such interest and refrain from participating in discussions, deliberations and voting on such matters.

A101.9 Decisions.

Every decision shall be promptly filed in writing in the office of the fire code official and shall be open to public inspection. A certified copy shall be sent by mail or otherwise to the appellant, and a copy shall be kept publicly posted in the office of the fire code official for 2 weeks after filing.

A101.10 Procedures.

The board shall be operated in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act of the state in which it is established or shall establish rules and regulations for its own procedure not inconsistent with the provisions of this code and applicable state law.