Metro Area Communities Adopt Uniform Building Codes
Monday, June 12, 2017
METRO AREA COMMUNITIES ADOPT UNIFORM BUILDING CODES
Capital Crossroads project creates efficiencies for local governments, private sector
GREATER DES MOINES, IOWA – Multiple metro-area communities have adopted uniform construction and maintenance codes through the work of the Central Iowa Code Consortium (CICC). The CICC is a collaborative effort born out of Capital Crossroads’ Governance Capital that brought public and private sector leaders together to produce a model code for all metro-area communities to consider through their local code adoption process.
To date, the cities of Des Moines, Johnston, and Waukee have adopted the model building code. West Des Moines has adopted the fire code and, along with Ankeny, Clive, and Grimes, has begun the adoption process for the other elements of the building code. Seven other jurisdictions – Carlisle, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Urbandale, Van Meter, Windsor Heights, and Polk County – are considering adoption of the model codes.
“Adopting uniform codes streamlines the development process for all involved and helps ensure that we, as a region, are continually promoting the health, safety, and welfare of residents by creating safe buildings and communities,” said Jonathan Lund, City of Des Moines Fire Marshal and a CICC co-chair.
The CICC involved 18 local governments and more than 60 government and business leaders that committed over 1,500 hours reviewing existing codes and developing the model code.
“The CICC highlights the magnitude of what we can accomplish when we work collaboratively across jurisdictions. We already have begun conversations about how we can expand this cooperation and use the success and structure of the CICC to address other metro-wide issues,” said City of Johnston Administrator and CICC co-chair Jim Sanders.
The regional cooperation showcased through the CICC has been recognized by the International Code Council (ICC). In May, the CICC was a finalist for the ICC’s inaugural Innovation in Code Administration Award, which recognizes building and fire departments for innovation in the delivery of code administration services in their communities.
About Capital Crossroads
Capital Crossroads is a bold but achievable vision pushing Central Iowans to dream big, not settle for good enough, think long term, and work together. Capital Crossroads brings together nearly 700 community volunteers to meet the challenges of the future while building on our past successes. It is in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Prairie Meadows, and the United Way of Central Iowa.
