City Code

Section 435 - Regulating Mechanical Work and Gas Piping Work

435.01 Definitions. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and phrases have the meanings given in this Subsection.

Gas Piping Work. The construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, alteration or extension of gas piping or gas burner systems.

Mechanical Work. The construction, reconstruction, installation, repair or alteration of any oil burner, stoker, steam or hot water heating system, mechanical warm air heating and air conditioning system, or refrigeration system.

435.02 International Mechanical Code. The International Mechanical Code adopted by Section 410 of this Code adopting the Minnesota State Building Code shall be applicable to the pertinent provisions of this Section.

435.03 Permit Required. No person shall perform any mechanical work or gas piping work without first obtaining a permit from the City. The application for a permit shall be made to the Building Official on forms provided by the Building Official. The Building Official may require that the application include full plans and specifications for the work, and may further require that such plans and specifications be certified by a mechanical engineer licensed by the State. Such certification, when required, shall state that the work will not violate any provisions of the International Mechanical Code or any other provisions of this Code. The Building Official shall grant the permit upon finding that the work will comply with the International Mechanical Code and this Code. No change in the work for which a permit has been issued may be made without the written consent of the Building Official.

435.04 Permit Holder Must be Licensed; Exception. An applicant for a permit required by this Section must be duly licensed or registered in accordance with Section 430 of this Code. Where permitted by State Law, permits may be issued to make repairs, additions, replacements and alterations to any mechanical work in any single family dwelling structure used exclusively for living purposes or to any building accessory thereto, provided that all such work in connection with it shall be performed only by the person who is the bona fide owner and occupant of such dwelling as the person's residence or a member of such owner-occupant's immediate family. "Immediate family" includes only a parent, spouse, child by birth or adoption, and such child's spouse.

435.05 Refusal of Permit. The Building Official shall refuse to issue any permit for the installation of any mechanical work or gas piping work in any building in which mechanical equipment or gas piping has, in whole or in part, been installed contrary to Code provisions in effect at the time of such installation until such illegally installed system shall have been removed from it or brought into compliance with this Code and the International Mechanical Code.

435.06 Approval of Materials and Appliances. No person shall install any material or appliance which has not been approved by the Building Official. No person shall represent that any material or appliance has been approved by the Building Official for installation who knows that such approval has not been given.

435.07 Fees and Surcharges. The fees and surcharges for a permit required by this Section shall be in the amount set forth in Section 185 of this Code.

A. Other Permit Related Fees. Reinspection fees, inspections outside normal business hours, inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated and fees for additional plan review required by loss, changes, additions or revisions to plans shall be in the amounts set forth in Section 185 of this Code.

B. Investigation Fee. If work for which a permit is required by the Code has been commenced without first obtaining a permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for the work. An investigation fee, as authorized by MSBC Chapter 1300.0160 Subp. 8, shall be collected, and is in addition to the required permit fees. The investigation fee shall be equal to the permit fee.

C. Outside Consultant Fees. Plan review, inspections and/or consultation fees for outside consultants may be collected and shall comprise the actual costs to the City.

D. Surcharge. In addition to the fees charged pursuant to Subd. 1 of this Subsection, each applicant for a permit shall pay a surcharge to the City in the amount set forth in M.S. 16B.70 to be remitted to the State Department of Administration pursuant to M.S. 16B.70.

435.08 Inspections. All equipment and installations installed pursuant to this Section shall be inspected by the Building Official, or a special inspector designated and approved by the Building Official. Inspections shall be made during construction and before enclosure or concealment of any equipment and accessory materials. Final inspection and operating tests shall be made before unconditional occupancy of the building is permitted. Final test reports must be submitted with final inspection.

435.09 Certification. Upon completion of any mechanical work for which a permit was required, the Building Official may require a certification by a mechanical engineer then currently licensed by the State, to the effect that all such work was done in full compliance with the International Mechanical Code and all other applicable provisions of this Code.

435.10 Interpretation. In the event the provisions of the Building Code are less restrictive than the provisions of this Section, the provisions of the Building Code shall control.

History: Ord 433 8-10-72, Ord 433-A1 3-1-73, Ord 433-A2 2-13-80, Ord 433-A3 6-17-81; Ord 2004-4, 4-29-04; Ord 2007-17, 7-17-07