Ordinance 92-1
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TOWN OF VERONA, DANE COUNTY WISCONSIN.
The Town Board of the Town of Verona does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. TITLE.
This ordinance shall be known as the "Building Code of The Town of Verona" and will be referred to in this ordinance as "This Code."
SECTION 2. PURPOSE.
This Code provides certain minimum standards, provisions and requirements for safe and stable design, methods of construction and uses of materials in buildings and/or structures hereafter erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, converted to other uses or demolished, and regulates the equipment, maintenance, use and occupancy of all such buildings and/or structures. Its purpose is to protect and foster the health, safety and well- being of persons occupying or using such buildings and that of the general public.
SECTION 3. SCOPE.
a. Inclusions. All new buildings hereafter erected in, or any building hereafter moved within or into, the Town of Verona shall conform to all the requirements of This Code, except as they are herein specifically exempted from part or all of its provisions, and to the requirements of any applicable town utility ordinance. Any alteration, enlargement or demolition of any existing building and any installation therein of electrical, gas, heating, plumbing or ventilation equipment is considered a "New Building" for the purposes of This Code whenever it is used for a dwelling or for a commercial or industrial purpose, unless it was being used for such purpose prior to May 21, 1968.
b. State and County Laws and Ordinances Apply. The provisions of This Code supplement the laws of the State of Wisconsin and the ordinances of the County of Dane, Wisconsin, and amendments thereto, pertaining to construction and use of buildings, and in no way supersede or nullify such laws and ordinances.
a. Appointment and Power of Inspectors. The Town Board shall have authority to appoint an inspector and assistant who shall have the power and duty to enforce the provisions of This Code and of all other ordinances, laws and orders of the State of Wisconsin and the Town of Verona which relate to building construction, plumbing, electrical and heating installations in the Town. In the discharge of such power and duty, the inspector and/or inspectors shall have the right to enter any building and premises during reasonable hours, and shall have the power to pass upon any questions arising under the Code. All inspectors and/or assistants shall submit violations to the Town office a monthly record of all inspection, and mileage/expense reports. (1) Any person interfering with an inspector performing the duties prescribed herein shall be subject to the penalties imposed under Section 30 of This Code. (2) Any person feeling aggrieved by any order or ruling of an inspector may appeal under Section 32 of This Code.
b. Compensation. The compensation of inspectors and assistant inspectors shall be set by the Town Board and shall be in the form of fees and/or salary.
c. Permits: When Required. No BUILDING of any kind shall be moved within or into the Town of Verona and no new building or structure or any part thereof, as defined in Section 3, shall be erected, or ground broken for the same, or enlarged, altered, moved, demolished or used within the Town of Verona, except as provided in Section 5.h., until a permit shall first have been obtained by the owner or his authorized agent. The Town office shall keep a record of all application permits and fees.
No ELECTRICAL wiring or other electrical equipment, and no PLUMBING or drainage of any kind, and no HEATING system or work shall be installed or altered within the Town of Verona, except as provided in Section 7.b. and 8.b., until a permit shall first have been obtained by the owner or his authorized agent.
No EXCAVATING in any public street, highway, alleyway, or upon any other public property in the Town of Verona shall be done until a permit shall first have been obtained from the Town Clerk by the person doing the excavating or his authorized agent. In applying for and receiving such a permit, the provisions of Sections 8.d. and 8.e. shall apply. (Town of Verona needs a "Road Opening Permit")
Failure to obtain any necessary permit will result in a stop work order. The property owner may be required to remove the unapproved work or, in appropriate circumstances, pay the costs of recording a release stating the Town of Verona is not liable for any problems associated with this work.
d. Certificate of Inspection. After a permit has been issued, no new building, as defined in Section 3, shall be occupied or otherwise used and no newly installed or altered electrical, gas, heating or plumbing equipment shall be used prior to issuance of a Certificate of Inspection, except as provided in Section 5.g.
e. Revocation of Permit. If the building, electrical or plumbing inspector shall find at any time prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Inspection that applicable ordinances, laws, orders, plans and specifications are not being complied with, and that the holder of the permit refuses to conform after a written warning or instruction has been issued to him, such inspector shall revoke the permit by written notice posted at the site of the work. The revocation of a permit may be appealed pursuant to Section 33 of this ordinance. When any such permit is revoked, it shall be unlawful to do any further work thereunder until the permit is reissued, excepting such work as the inspector may order to be done as a condition precedent to the reissuance of the permit, or as he may require for the preservation of human life and safety. The revocation of a permit shall not prevent such use of a building as was permissible prior to the issuance of such permit unless alterations have been made therein which increase the fire hazard or impair the safety or health conditions pertaining to such building.
f. Deadline for Inspections. All inspections shall be made no later than two business days following the request for inspection, except that an inspection may be made after the deadline specified herein if the person or firm requesting the inspection agrees to an inspection after the deadline. A business day is defined as any day Monday through Saturday, except for federal holidays other than Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day and Veterans Day.
g. It shall be the duty of all police and other town officers to report at once to the building, electrical or plumbing inspector any building, electrical, plumbing, heating or excavating work which is being carried on without a permit as required by This Code.
SECTION 5. BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTION.
a. Application. With such application there shall be submitted two complete sets of plans and specifications, including a plot plan showing the location of the proposed building with respect to adjoining roads, highway, streets, alleys, lot lines, and buildings. Such plans and specifications shall be submitted in duplicate; one set shall be returned after approval as hereinafter provided; the other set shall remain on file in the office of the Clerk. All plans and specifications shall be signed by the designer. Plans for buildings subject to the state building code shall bear the stamp of approval of the Industrial Commission.
b. Waiver of Plans. If the Building Inspector finds that the character of the work is sufficiently described in the application, he may waive the filing of plans for alterations, repairs or moving, provided that the total cost of such work does not exceed Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00)
c. Approval of Plans and Issuance of Building Permits. If the Building Inspector determines that the building will comply in every respect with all ordinances of the Town of Verona and all applicable ordinances and orders of the County of Dane and laws and orders of the State of Wisconsin, he shall officially approve and stamp one set of the plans and return it to the owners, and shall issue a Building Permit therefor which shall state the use to which said building is to be put. The Building Permit shall be kept and visibly displayed at the site of the proposed building throughout the completion of the project and until the final certificate of inspection has been issued. After being approved, the plans and specifications shall not be altered in any respect which involves any of the above mentioned ordinances, laws or orders, or which involves the safety of the building or the occupants, except with the written consent of the Building Inspector, who, at his discretion, may issue a permit for that part of the building before receiving the plans and specifications for the entire building.
d. Schedule of Fees. The following fees shall be paid for building permits in the Town of Verona:
- For new construction of one and two-family residences regulated by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, a fee of $450.00 for inspection of footings, foundation, construction, plumbing, HVAC, and insulation, and related administration costs, plus the $22.00 State of Wisconsin Seal Fee. A portion of the building permit fee may be refundable depending upon compliance with building codes.
Additions and major alterations/remodeling to one and two family residences shall conform to provisions of Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, in so far as practicable. The fee shall be:
Square footage
Permit fee
0 - 1,000
$150.00
1,000 - 3,000
$250.00
over 3,000
$250.00 + $25.00 each additional 1,000 feet
- For construction of, and additions to all other nonresidential, commercial and agricultural buildings, fees shall be based on square footage, which shall include all enclosed area of a building, as follows:
Square footage Permit fee 0 - 3,000 $ 75.00 3,000 - 5,000 $150.00 over 5,000 $250.00
Square footage
Permit fee
0 - 3,000
$ 75.00
3,000 - 5,000
$150.00
over 5,000
$250.00
- For other alterations or repairs to structures, the minimum fee shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for the first One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and Five Dollars ($5.00) for every additional One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or fraction thereof of the cost of any alteration or repair.
e. Inspection of Work. The builder shall notify the Building Inspector when ready, and the Building Inspector shall inspect all buildings before footings are poured, before walls are poured, when rough framing is completed, before being enclosed, when insulation is in place, and plumbing and again when ready for lath and plaster, or before paneling is applied. After completion he shall make a final inspection of all new buildings, alterations and existing buildings put to new uses as defined in Section 3. If he finds that the work conforms to the provisions of This Code he shall issue a Certificate of Inspection which shall contain the date, and outline of the result of such inspection and a statement of the use contemplated, a duplicate of which shall be filed by location in the office of the Town Clerk. The issuance of a Certificate of Inspection shall not authorize a use of the building different from the stated therein unless the building is adaptable to such use under the provisions of This Code.
f. Permit to Use. After the issuance of a Building Permit but before the issuance of a Certificate of Inspection, such building may be occupied or used only with the permission of the Building Inspector. Such permission shall be in writing and shall state the type of use which is permitted. Such permission to use may be revoked at the discretion of the Building Inspector, upon thirty days notice to the user or occupant of the building.
g. Minor Repairs. The Building Inspector via the Clerk's office may authorize in writing minor repairs or alterations valued at less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) which do not change the occupancy, area, structural strength, fire protection, exits, light or ventilation of the building 5 without requiring a building permit to be issued. However, such repairs or alterations shall not be made until written authorization from the Building Inspector is obtained.
SECTION 6. ELECTRICAL PERMITS AND INSPECTION.
a. State Code Applies. All electrical work, including the placing of wires and other equipment, shall conform to the Wisconsin State Electrical Code, Volumes 1 and 2, being a part of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and amendments thereto, which is hereby made a part of This Code by reference. A copy of such code and amendments shall be kept on file in the office of the Town Clerk. The provisions of this section are intended to specifically include all agricultural outbuildings, in addition to all other buildings.
b. Permits: When Required. It shall be unlawful for a person to undertake the erection, construction, alteration or change of any electrical installation, work or wiring until a permit has been obtained from the Town Office, except that no permit shall be required for minor repair work, which shall be construed to mean the replacement of broken or defective sockets, snap push or toggle switches, convenience outlets, lighting fixtures and portable electrical appliances.
Only persons, firms or corporations licensed in the Town of Verona to conduct the business of electrical wiring, construction or contracting, or licensed to do electrical work, may, receive electrical permits, except as provided in Section 6.h..
c. Application. Application for an electrical permit shall be made in writing to the Town Clerk upon a form provided by the Town of Verona. Each application must include with other information, fully and truly, the name and address of the applicant, the name and the name of the owner of the building, the street location and the officially designated building number, and shall clearly state the work planned, alterations to be made and equipment and materials to be used. The Town Building Inspector shall approve the application before a permit is issued.
d. Schedule of Fees. The following fees shall be paid before issuance of electrical permits.
- There shall be an initial permit fee of Three Dollars ($3.00) and in addition, fees shall be paid as indicated below for the type of work to be done. The following schedule of permit fees covers work for all new construction, alterations and additions.
- Service. For new service, alterations or additions to service, fees shall be Six Dollars ($6.00) for each one hundred (100) amp capacity or fraction thereof.
- Temporary Service. For temporary wiring installed for the period of the construction of building, one-half of the total of the service fee shall be paid.
- Feeders or Circuits. Fees for installation of each feeder, branch circuit, or addition, extension or alteration to existing circuits shall be computed separately in accordance with the following schedule:
0 - 30 amp capacity: $ 2.00
31 - 60 amp capacity: $ 5.00
61 - 100 amp capacity: $ 8.00
Each additional 100 amp
capacity or fraction thereof: $ 2.00
The rating of the circuit breaker or fuse shall be used for all computations. Two (2) and three (3) pole fused switches or circuit breakers shall be considered one (1) circuit.- The fees for a change of location or replacement of equipment on the same premises shall be the same as that for a new installation.
- The minimum fee for any permit shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).
e. Authority of Inspector. In addition to those powers and duties under section 4(a) of the General Provisions, the inspector shall make inspections of electrical wiring and equipment, and shall have the authority to cause the disconnection of any wiring or equipment when such wiring or equipment in the inspector's judgment is dangerous to life or property or may interfere with the work of the fire department.
f. Inspection of Work
- After roughing in the wiring of any building or completing any outside electrical construction work, and before any such work is covered up, it shall be the duty of the person, firm or corporation doing such work to notify the Electrical Inspector, who shall inspect the same. Upon completion of such wiring, or any other electrical wiring, installation, alteration or improvement, the Electrical Inspector shall be notified and shall inspect the finished work.
- The permit holder shall pay an additional fee for each additional inspection required by the permit holder or required by the electrical inspector because of noncompliance with This Code. For the construction of new one- and two-family residential buildings, the additional fee shall be paid if the inspector is requested or required to make more than four (4) inspections for new homes. For other electrical work, the additional fee shall be paid if the inspector is requested or required to make more than two (2) inspections. The fee for each additional inspection shall be Twenty Dollars ($20.00). Each electrical permit issued shall clearly state the fee for additional inspections - $20.00. Additional inspection fees charges under this section shall be paid before the Certificate of Inspection is issued for any work for which additional fees are charged.
g. Certification of Inspection. It shall be unlawful to connect up the electrical wiring and equipment of any building to any electrical supply lines or to turn on the current, unless a Certificate of Electrical Inspection has been issued by the Electrical Inspector, and it shall be the duty of the electric utility supplying electrical service to any building to secure a copy of the certificate before applying service to such building.
h. License Required To Do Electrical Work. No person, either individually, as a member of a firm, or as an officer or employee of a corporation, shall conduct the business of electrical wiring, electrical construction (either inside or outside), or electrical contracting in the Town of Verona unless such person shall have a license as required by This Code, and except as herein specifically provided, no electrical work shall be done by a person not having a license or working under the direct supervision of a person having a license. Nothing herein provided shall apply to servicing of electrical appliances by the manufacturer.
EXCEPTIONS: No license is required for anyone to wire in or on any accessory farm buildings which he/she owns. No License is required for anyone to wire in or on any single family residence, provided that the person doing the wiring owns and lives in the single family residence.
i. Application and License Fee. Application for a license to conduct the business of electrical wiring, construction or contracting, or to do electrical work in the Town of Verona shall be made by submitting the appropriate fee and a copy of a current City of Madison license or a State of Wisconsin Verification.
Fee for New Applicant: $ 25.00
Fee for Previously Licensed Applicant: $ 15.00j. Issuance of License. License shall be issued upon submittal of copy of current class A City of Madison license or State of Wisconsin Certification and payment of fee.
k. License Renewal. Each license, unless sooner revoked, shall expire on December 31 next after the issuance thereof, unless renewed by the payment of the annual renewal fee on or before December 31.
l. Revocation of License. Any license may be revoked by the Town Board should the licensee violate any ordinance or law relating to electrical wiring. Any person whose license is revoked shall wait one (1) year before again making application which shall be in the same manner as a new applicant. No license shall be revoked except by a majority vote of the Town Board at a meeting, and no license shall be revoked unless the licensee has been notified in writing of the charges at least ten (10) days before such meeting. The licensee shall have the right to appear before the Town Board to answer the charges and to present testimony.
m. Use of License. It shall be unlawful for any person holding a Class A or Class B license to allow for the use of such license, for others, except that a person with a license may lawfully obtain permits for corporations or firms who are actively engaged in the electrical contracting business with a recognized business location, provided that such person be permanently employed by such firm or corporation.
SECTION 7. PLUMBING PERMITS AND INSPECTION.
a. State and County Provisions Applv. The construction, reconstruction, installation and alteration of all plumbing, drainage and plumbing ventilation shall conform to ILHR 81-84 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and Chapter 27 of the Dane County Sanitary Ordinance, which are hereby made by reference a part of This Code. Copies of the state code and county ordinance shall be kept on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
All building sewers in any area of the Town served by a public sanitary sewer shall be constructed and inspected as required by ILHR 81-85 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
b. Permits: When Required. A plumbing permit from the Town Clerks Office shall be required before plumbing or drainage of any kind shall be installed or altered in the Town of Verona, except that leakage or stoppage repairs may be made without such a permit. Licensed master plumbers only may receive plumbing permits, with the exceptions that a permit may be issued to a property owner to install plumbing in a single family, provided that the single family building is owned and occupied by said applicant as his home.
c. Application. Application for a plumbing permit shall be made in writing to the Town Clerk upon a form provided by the Town of Verona. Each application must include with other information, fully and truly, the name and address of the applicant, the legal description of the property, the street location, the officially designated building number and the fixtures or appliances to be supplied. Each application must receive approval of the Plumbing Inspector before he shall issue a written permit thereon. The signing by any person of an application or permit shall constitute a contract, which contract embodies the regulations and provisions of This Code and of any applicable town utility ordinance as part of the same.
d. Excavating Permit Required. A written excavating permit shall be required before any person shall do any excavating in any public street, highway, alley way, or upon any other public property, for the purpose of attaching to, repairing, altering or installing sewer mains, laterals or drains. Excavating permits may be issued by the Town Clerk upon proper application. The signing of any application or permit shall constitute a contract which contract embodies the regulations and provisions of This Code and of any applicable town utility ordinance as part of the same.
e. Indemnity. Any person applying for and receiving a plumbing permit or an excavating permit shall thereby be deemed to have stipulated as part of such permit that he will save the Town harmless from any claim for injury or damage or expense to persons or property or otherwise arising out of such connection and the use thereof or arising out of such excavation or backfilling of the excavation; and that he shall at all times when any excavation is open or when as a result thereof there is any obstruction to travel or any condition dangerous to person or property of others maintain adequate barriers, lights or other warning and protective devices as the circumstances may require.
f. Schedule of Permit Fees. The schedule of permit fees to be paid at the time the permit is issued shall be as follow.
- For each fixture to be installed: $ 5.00.
- For each connection with the main sewer, lateral at the curb, or private sewage treatment or disposal system: $ 5.00
- For relaying an existing sewer: $ 5.00
- For the first roughed-in waste opening: $ 2.00
- For each additional roughed-in waste opening: $ 2.00
g. Inspection of Work. Upon completion of the plumbing work on any premises the person doing the work shall notify the Plumbing Inspector before such work is covered up, and the Plumbing Inspector shall inspect the work. If he finds that the work conforms to the state plumbing code, and all other applicable laws, rules and ordinances, he shall issue a certificate of compliance which shall contain the date and an outline of the result of such inspection, a duplicate of which shall be filed by location in the office of the Town Clerk. No person shall use or permit to be used any plumbing or drainage until it has been inspected and approved by the Plumbing Inspector.
SECTION 8. HEATING INSPECTION.
Heating systems and heating work shall be inspected by the Building Inspector and shall be subject to acceptable standard to the heating provisions of the Wisconsin State Building Code. Class B chimneys are allowed by code to be used with appliances that were tested with Class B chimneys or gas fired water heaters so long as all such Class B chimneys are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. The inspection fee for a single family residence shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00).
The inspection fee for other construction shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) with an additional fee of twenty-five cents ($.25) for each 1,000 cubic feet in excess of 20,000 cubic feet. When computations result in fractions of dollars, the fee shall be rounded up to the next highest whole dollar.
a. The term "waterless toilet" includes privies, privy vaults, chemical, septic or dry closet systems and any other type of human waste disposal system that functions without water.
b. Permits. Waterless toilets shall conform to all requirements of the Dane County Sanitary Code, which is made by reference a part of This Code, and shall not be constructed, installed or maintained within the Town of Verona unless a building permit is first obtained from the Town Office. Such permit shall be issued only after the Building Inspector has determined that the construction or proposed construction complies with the provisions of This Code, any applicable town utility ordinance, any requirements of Dane County and the State of Wisconsin, and is not detrimental to the health, welfare and safety of the users thereof, nearby residents, or the general public. No statement in this section shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the Dane County Environmental Health Department or the State of Wisconsin.
c. Requirements. No waterless toilet shall be hereafter erected or maintained where a public or private sewage system is available. Where such system is not available, waterless toilet construction shall conform to the requirements set forth in This Code and applicable county ordinances and state law.
d. Location. No waterless toilet with or without a leaching pit or other container shall be erected or maintained within fifty feet of any well, cistern well, spring, watercourse, lake or other source of water supply used for drinking or domestic purposes; ten feet of the line of any public thoroughfare, or of a property line between premises; or twenty feet of the door or window of any building. Waterless toilets shall be located on ground that is well drained and where there is no possibility of contaminating any drinking water supply.
SECTION 10. FEES: LAPSE OF PERMIT.
a. Payment of Fees. Fees are paid to the Town of Verona treasurer and the Town Building Inspector issues permits.
b. Lapse of Permit. A permit issued under the provisions of This Code shall lapse and be void unless work is commenced within two (2) years from the date of issuance thereof.
SECTION 11. HEALTH AND SANITATION PROVISIONS.
No building not previously used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes shall hereafter be used for such purposes without first obtaining from the Building Inspector a certificate stating that the water supply and plumbing facilities contained therein or adjacent thereto are reasonably adequate to safeguard the health and welfare of the occupants and that the installation thereof complies with the provision of this ordinance and of all applicable laws and ordinances. No changes in the water or plumbing facilities of any existing building, whether in the form of addition, alteration or discontinuance thereof, which may substantially affect the adequacy of such facilities from the standpoint of health and sanitation, shall be made without first obtaining a similar certificate. No changes in the use or occupancy of existing building for dwelling, commercial or industrial purposes, the effect of which change is to increase substantially the amount or use of the number of persons using existing water and plumbing facilities, shall be permitted without first obtaining from the Building Inspector a certificate stating that the existing facilities are reasonably adequate to take care of the increased demand and to safeguard the health and welfare of the users.
Whenever the Building Inspector finds any building or part thereof with the Town of Verona to be in his judgment so old, dilapidated or so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, and so that it would be unreasonable to repair the same, he shall order the owner to raze and remove the building. Such order and proceedings shall be carried out in the manner prescribed for the razing of buildings in Section 66.05(5) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Where the public safety requires immediate action, the Building Inspector shall enter upon the premises with such assistance as may be necessary and cause the building or structure to be made safe or to be removed, and the expense of such work may be recovered by the Town in an action against the owner or tenant.
a. Bond Required. Before any building is moved within or into the Town of Verona, a permit must first be contained from the Building Inspector. Before a permit to move any building is granted by the Building Inspector, the party applying therefor shall give a bond in the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) with good and sufficient sureties to be approved by the Town Board, conditioned, among other things, that said party will save and indemnify judgments, costs and expenses which may in any way accrue against the Town and will save the Town harmless against all liabilities, judgments, costs and expenses in consequence of granting of such permit.
b. Contents of Permit: Regulations. Every permit to move a building shall state all conditions to be complied with, designate the route to be taken and limit of time for removal. The removal of a building shall be continuous during all hours of the day, and day by day, and at night if the Building Inspector shall so order, until completed, with the least possible obstruction to through-fares. Flashing warning lights shall be kept in conspicuous places at each end of the building during the night.
c. Inspection and Repair of Streets and Highways. Every person receiving a permit to move a building shall, within one day after reaching its destination, report that fact to the Building Inspector. The Town road patrolman shall thereupon inspect the streets and highways over which said building has been moved and ascertain their condition. If the removal of said building has caused any damage to the streets or highways, the housemover shall forthwith place them in as good repair as they were before the permit was granted. Upon failure of the housemover to do so within (10) days thereafter to the satisfaction of the Town road patrolman, the Town Board shall repair the damage done to such streets and highways and hold the sureties of the bond given by the housemover responsible for the payment of the same.
d. Permit Fees. Before the Building Inspector shall issue a permit to move a building he shall collect a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00). This fee shall be in addition to all other fees provided for in This Code.
SECTION 14. CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.
a. State Code Adopted. The Wisconsin State Building Code as contained in the Wisconsin Administrative Code of the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations, is hereby made by reference a part of This Code with respect to those classes of buildings to which the said code specifically applies. Chapters 50 through 57 inclusive and Chapter 59 of said Wisconsin State Building Code which are applicable to foundations, masonry and steel construction, fire protection and wood construction, are hereby made a part of This Code with respect to all buildings, or parts thereof, including dwellings, hereafter constructed within the Town of Verona, subject to such exceptions, modifications and additions as are specifically made by This Code. A copy of the said Wisconsin State Building Code and amendments thereto to this date is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
b. Terms. The building terms used in This Code shall have the meaning given them in the state building code.
c. Dwellings. The term "dwelling" includes every building occupied exclusively as a residence by not more than two families.
d. Workmanship. Workmanship in the fabrication, preparation and installation of materials shall conform to generally accepted good practice.
a. Depth. All foundation walls and footings shall extend below the frostline (48 inches below grade) and have suitable provision at the bottom to keep load distribution within the carrying capacity of the soil. All footing and foundation walls shall be so designed as to carry their imposed loads.
b. Strength. Foundation walls shall be of adequate strength and thickness to resist lateral pressures from adjacent earth and to support their vertical loads; but the thickness shall be not less than the thickness of walls supported by them.
c. Thickness. If built of rubble stone, the thickness of foundation walls shall be not less than eighteen inches. If built of brick, concrete, hollow-blocks or solid-blocks, the thickness shall be not less than ten inches; provided that when such walls of dwellings or of other buildings not exceeding thirty-five feet below the adjacent ground level, the minimum thickness of solid brick or concrete walls shall be nine inches, and the minimum thickness of hollow walls of brick and walls of hollow-block or solid-block shall be ten inches. Poured concrete foundations of nine-inch thickness may be used for one story wood frame structures without a basement.
d. Masonry Foundations. In masonry unit foundation walls the top course shall be of solid masonry unit or solid masonry material and shall be not less than four inches thick.
e. Pilasters. Pilasters not less than four by twelve inches shall be constructed to form piers under the ends of girders framing into eight-inch thick foundation walls built of solid masonry or poured concrete walls and shall be bonded to the wall. Girders framing into masonry walls of hollow units shall bear upon solid masonry construction not less than eight inches thick. This section shall apply only to buildings and construction requiring approval of the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations and one and two family dwellings.
f. Height. Foundation walls for frame construction shall extend at least eight inches above the adjacent ground surface after filling is completed.
g. Ventilation. Cross ventilation shall be provided for the space enclosed by foundation walls, whether it be excavated or not, with a minimum opening of two square feet for each twenty-five feet of exterior wall.
SECTION 16. MASONRY CONSTRUCTION.
a. Thickness. The new thickness of all masonry walls shall comply with the State Building Code, except that for masonry dwellings the exterior bearing walls shall be not less than eight inches thick for a height not to exceed thirty-five feet. Pilasters not less than four by twelve inches shall be constructed to form piers under the ends of girders framing into eight-inch thick masonry walls, and shall be bonded to the wall. Girders framing into masonry walls of hollow units shall bear upon solid masonry not less than eight inches thick.
b. Height. The unsupported height of isolated piers shall not exceed ten times their least dimension.
c. Chases. Chases shall not be constructed in eight-inch bearing or division walls. In such walls of greater thickness the backs of chases shall be not less than six inches in thickness.
d. Chimneys. All chimneys shall be constructed in compliance with the appropriate State building code.
SECTION 17. MONOLITHIC CONCRETE CONSTRUCTIONS.
a. Thickness. Bearing walls of monolithic plain concrete shall be not less than six inches in thickness.
b. Hollow Walls. Hollow monolithic concrete walls shall have not less than six inches net thickness of material. Wall openings and corners shall be reinforced in the same manner as solid monolithic walls. The inner and outer part of such walls shall be securely fastened together with non-corrodible bracing ties.
c. Height. Monolithic concrete walls built in accordance with this section may be not more than thirty feet in height, except that in the case of gable construction an additional five feet to the peak of the gable is permissible.
d. Pilasters. Girders framing into monolithic concrete walls shall be supported by pilasters as provided for masonry wall in Section 15 of This Code.
e. Reinforced Concrete. All concrete walls having openings therein, all supported floor slabs and all beams and columns shall be reinforced in accordance with the rules of reinforced concrete design provided in the Wisconsin Building Code.
a. Definition. In conventional frame wall construction all structural parts are of wood or are dependent upon a wood frame for support. This includes walls with facing or veneer other than wood, such as brick, tile, stone and stucco. See Section 21 for use of special types of wood construction.
b. Studding. Wood studding shall be not less than two by four nominal inches and spaced not to exceed sixteen inches on centers.
c. Wood Sheathing. Where exterior walls or parts thereof are sheathed, the boards shall be not less than one nominal inch in thickness. Sheathing boards shall be laid tight and properly nailed to each stud with not less than two eight- penny nails. Where the sheathing is omitted or is not laid diagonally, the frame shall be diagonally braced with let-in bracing to secure rigidity.
d. Composition Sheathing. Wood sheathing may be omitted when other types of construction are used that are accepted as of adequate strength and stability by the Industrial Commission. Composition sheathing board may be used, provided the frame is diagonally braced with let-in braces.
e. Paper or Felt. All sheathing shall be covered with water- resistant building paper or saturated asphalt felt. Each lap shall be not less than four inches, with at least a four-inch lap around openings.
f. Ledger Boards. Ledger or ribbon boards used as support joists shall be not less than one by four inches, shall be cut into the studs, and securely nailed with not less than two ten- penny nails to each stud. Where ledger boards are used the outside walls shall be completely fire-stopped with not less than two-inch material.
SECTION 19. MASONRY VENEER ON FRAME CONSTRUCTION.
a. Thickness. Masonry veneer applied to the walls of frame structures shall rest directly upon the masonry foundation of the structure and shall be not less than three and three- fourths inches in thickness. Such veneer shall be backed up with waterproof building paper or saturated felt which shall extend down and under the bottom course of veneer.
b. Flashing. Flashing shall be installed where necessary to prevent moisture form penetrating behind the wall.
c. Anchoring. The masonry veneer shall be securely attached to the frame structure at intervals of not more than sixteen inches horizontally and twenty-four inches vertically.
d. Sheathing. Sheathing shall be securely attached to the framework of the structure back of the masonry veneer by properly nailing to each stud with not less than two eight- penny nails.
SECTION 20. STUCCO ON FRAME CONSTRUCTION.
a. Flashing. Flashing or other measures adequate to prevent penetration of moisture behind the stucco surface shall be used where necessary.
b. Back Plastering. Back plastering shall be required where sheathing or its equivalent is omitted.
c. Sheathing. Where wooden sheathing is used it shall be of boards not less than one inch (nominal) thickness and securely nailed to each stud with not less than two eight-penny nails, and if applied horizontally with the frame adequately braced with diagonal braces set into the studs.
d. Metal Lath. Where metal lath is used for the stucco base, per square yard, or wire fabric not lighter than No. 10 gauge.
a. Strength and Soundness. All wooden members shall be so framed, anchored, tied and braced together as to develop the maximum strength and rigidity adequate for the purpose for which they are used. All members shall be sound and free from knots and shakes which would impair their strength and shall be dry and well seasoned. All framing lumber or board lumber for subflooring, roof boarding, shingle, lath, etc., shall be No. 1 common or of equivalent quality.
b. Size of Members. All wooden members shall be of sufficient size and strength to carry the load safely without exceeding the allowable working stresses of the material. The strength of timber shall be determined from actual dimensions and not from nominal dimensions.
c. Allowable Spans. The maximum spans for wood floor joists, ceiling joists and rafters shall be as listed in the following tables.
d. Studding. Wall studdings of frame buildings shall be not less than two inches by four inches, sixteen inches center to center.
e. Sills and Members. All sills and all bearing plates for roof rafters framing into masonry walls shall be bolted to the masonry walls with one-half inch bolts bedded firmly into the masonry and spaced not more than eight feet apart.
SECTION 22. FLOOR AND CEILING LOADS.
All dwellings shall be designed for a live floor load of 40 pounds per square foot in addition to the lead load, and for a live roof load of 30 pounds per square foot.
Fire-stopping of incombustible material shall be installed at every floor level to cut off all concealed draft openings and form an effectual horizontal fire barrier between stories and roof spaces, as provided by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
a. Cubic Content and Area. Every sleeping room shall be of sufficient size to provide at least 400 cubic feet of air space for each occupant over twelve years of age, and 200 cubic fee for each occupant under twelve years. No greater number of occupants than the number thus established shall be permitted in any such room. A sleeping room shall have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet.
The outside windows in every sleeping or living room shall have a total sash area of at least one-tenth of the floor area of the room, but not less than 12 square feet.
The top of at least one such window shall be not less than six and one-half feet above the floor, and shall be constructed so as to open easily from the top.
Private garages shall be located not less than three feet from the adjoining lot line, and not less than three feet from any other building on the same premises when not a part of the building. If a greater distance is required by some other section of This Code or by some other ordinance or regulation, the most rigid requirements shall be the applicable one. Wherever a garage is constructed as part of any building, the ceiling and the walls or wall separating the garage from other portions of the building shall be of not less than one hour fire-resistive construction as specified in the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
SECTION 27. PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS.
(a) The term "private swimming pool" includes all constructed pools which are used or intended to be used as a swimming pool in connection with a single-family residence and available only to the family of the householder and private guests.
(b) All private swimming pools must conform to the following provisions where applicable:
(1) In-the-ground Pools. A wall or fence at least four (4) feet high and not more than six (6) feet high and of such construction as will make access difficult, shall completely enclose all private swimming pools, except that an entrance may be provided through a bathhouse or gate. The gate shall be equipped with a locking device and shall be kept locked when the pool is not is use.
(2) Portable Pools. The enclosure may be omitted when portable pools are installed above ground. Where pool ladders are provided, they shall be a type that can be removed when the pool is not in use.
SECTION 28. NEW METHODS AND MATERIALS.
All materials, methods of construction and devices designed for use in buildings or structures covered by This Code and not specifically mentioned in or permitted by This Code shall not be used until approved in writing by the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations for use in buildings or structures covered by the Wisconsin State Building Code, except sanitary appliances which shall be approved in accordance with the State Plumbing code issued by the State Board of Health. Such materials, methods of construction and devices, when approved, must be installed or used in strict compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and any rules or conditions of use established by the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations. The data, tests and other evidence necessary to prove the merits of such material, methods of construction or devices shall be determined by the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations.
SECTION 29. PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS.
The erection of a prefabricated building or use of a prefabricated assembly, the integral parts of which have been built up or assembled prior to incorporation in the building, shall be permitted subject to all other provisions of This Code, except that even though such building or assembly does not fulfill the requirements of This Code as to structural standards such building 22 or assembly is constructed in conformity to the design and control data contained in the National Bureau of Standards Bulletin entitled "Prefabricated Houses Commercial Standard CS-125-47," or meets the requirements of "Article 19 - Prefabricated Construction," issued by the building officials conference of America as part of its basic code. Conformity of a prefabricated structure or component to either of the above standards shall be evidenced by the manufacturer's certification or warranty of compliance.
SECTION 30. APPLICATION OF STATE CODES.
The Building Code, the Electrical Code, the Plumbing Code, the Flammable Liquids Code, and the Well-Drilling Code of the State of Wisconsin and the amendments thereto to this date are hereby made a part of This Code, and it shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to enforce the provisions thereof. Any violation of said codes or amendments thereto to this date shall constitute a violation of This Code, whether unlawful building, alteration, installation, moving or construction involved is specifically covered by other provisions of This Code or not, and shall render the violator liable to the penalties contained herein.
SECTION 31. PENALTIES.
A violation of This Code or of any written rule or order issued under the provisions of This Code shall be a public nuisance pursuant to Section 66.24(1)(d) of the Wisconsin Statutes, and shall be abated and damages and costs recovered therefor in accordance with Section 823.02 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Any person who fails to comply with a special order within the time specified shall be declared to be a person creating a public nuisance enjoinable under Section 823.02 of the Wisconsin Statutes and shall forfeit to the Town of Verona Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each day such failure continues.
SECTION 32. NONASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY.
This Code shall not be construed as assuming any liability on the part of the Town or any official or employee thereof for damages to anyone injured or for any property destroyed by and defect in any building or equipment, or in any plumbing or electrical wiring or equipment.
Any person applying for and receiving a permit under the provisions of This Code shall be deemed thereby to have stipulated as part of such permit that the person will save the Town harmless from any claim for injury or damage or expense to persons, property or otherwise arising out of the use of such permit.
SECTION 33. APPEAL PROCEDURE.
Any person who objects to a ruling, a revocation of a permit, a notice of violation, or a special order issued by an inspector under the provisions of This Code may appeal such ruling, revocation, notice, or order to the Town Board. The appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Town Clerk. The Town Board shall hold a hearing within ten (10) days of the filing of the appeal, at which time all interested parties desiring to be heard shall be heard. A decision on said appeal shall be made within ten (10) days following the date of the hearing.
SECTION 34. SAVING CLAUSE.
The several terms and provisions of This Code shall be deemed severable, and if any provision of it or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remaining parts of This Code and the application of such provisions to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby. This Code shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 1992, following its passage and pursuant to the posting and publication requirements of Section 66.035 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Dated and adopted May 2, 1968, amended May 2, 1978 and December 3, 1991.
Signatures1993 Revision