BDC Quarterly Bulletin - Jul. 19, 2022

Cranes and scaffolding working on high-rises in Uptown Charlotte.

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) appoints the Building-Development Commission (BDC) as an advisory board to Code Enforcement. Membership includes representation from the design, construction and development communities, as well as the public. 

Here are brief summaries of significant matters impacting the design and construction community on which the Building Development Commission and the Code Enforcement Department have focused from April 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022: 

  1. CODE HEROES

  2. CITY OF CHARLOTTE FIRE ORDINANCE UPDATE

  3. VALET TRASH:  CITY OF CHARLOTTE FIRE & MECKLENBURG COUNTY FIRE

1.  CODE HEROES

Each year Code Enforcement selects a few members within the industry that we feel have gone above and beyond in working with Code Enforcement to see their projects through fruition.  The FY22 Code Heroes are:

  • BB&M - for outstanding commitment to code compliance and open dialogue

  • Gensler - for outstanding commitment to timeliness and communication

  • Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte - for outstanding partnership and efforts to engage Mecklenburg County residential contractors

2.  CITY OF CHARLOTTE FIRE ORDINANCE UPDATE

City of Charlotte Fire has been reviewing all City ordinances for the past six (6) months due to hydrant issues.  It appears in the next several months City Fire is looking to do away with the ordinances all together.  This should be complete by December 2022.  It is their hope to help Charlotte Water in regards to sprinkler systems in townhomes where they now may not be required.  The City of Charlotte Fire will be going by ISO standards in lieu of the ordinance.  A notification will be placed on the EPM web page and will also be placed on plans as "approved as noted".

3.  VALET TRASH CITY OF CHARLOTTE FIRE & MECKLENBURG COUNTY FIRE

Fire rated container requirements will become effective for multi-family dwellings on July 1, 2022 in all exit corridors.  Initially property management will be notified of the requirement for compliant containers and given a transition deadline.  As of January 1, 2023, citations or fines for excessive trash violations may be issued and ordered to be removed immediately.  After a notification has been issued a reinspection will be completed to determine if compliance has been achieved or if the violation still exists.  If the violation still exists upon reinspection, a $50 fine per doorstep violation (up to 4 units) or a $200 max fine per building will be issued and termination of valet trash service could ensue, per the NC Fire Prevention Code.