New rules sought for Carson City building projects

Some building projects around Carson City remain unfinished after more than a decade. It's a condition that can be alleviated, according to the development services department.

To ensure construction undertakings are completed in a timely manner, some building rules in the municipal code are being updated.

"We want to become more efficient," and that expediency usually translates into lower operating costs, said Larry Werner, head of the city's development services department.

When plans are fully thought through and financing to do a job is secure, "a house only takes four months to build," he said.

Code changes that focus on permitting received initial approval Thursday from the Board of Supervisors and will allow most projects a three-year time span.

If a structure takes four years, five years or more to build, inspection costs to the city are higher than when the person first paid for their permit. Permit fees cover inspection costs.

And "three years to build is plenty of time," he noted.

If someone comes to the city, files a building application and takes out a permit, they have 18 months to complete the project and then can request an extension of 18 more months. And if you seek a permit that requires extensions every 90 days, the city would allow one extension of 180 days and will no longer do this automatically.

There is no fine if a project exceeds the timeline but the builder would have to pay for permitting a second time.

"It's not a money issue, but to get compliance you turn it into a money issue," Werner said.

And half-finished buildings are a double safety concern. Inspectors haven't had the chance to see whether the completed work is sufficient and an incomplete structure itself often can be unsafe.

The Builders Association of Western Nevada endorsed the proposal. People doing large-scale projects work with the city to create a timeline.

The International Code Council is arbiter of building rules used across the country and its members create the International Building Code.

Final approval by the supervisors is required before the updates become part of the city's code system.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

In other business, the Carson City Board of Supervisors:

• Gave final approval to the proposed federal lands bill - with the stipulation that east Carson land being eyed for workforce housing instead be devoted to open space and recreation uses.

• Allowed two, 14 percent water-rate increases to be levied this year. The first begins in February and the other starts in July.

• Endorsed budget plans that would leave a variety of city positions unfilled. This is expected to reduce operating costs by nearly $2.1 million through July 1, 2008.

• Asked state legislators to approve several city-oriented bills during the 2007 session, which starts Feb. 5.