Posted: 11/7/2005 10:49:56 AM EDT
|
I am looking for the Michigan residential building codes on line. More specifically those which pertain to the construction of a detached garage at an existing residence. The books seem to be very pricy. Does anyone know where I might find these? |
|
You can read the codes for free at your local public library. Your general building code will probably be the International Residential Code (IRC) 2003, but most jursdictions have local amendments. You should be able to get the amendments free from your city code official (usually the Building Inspector). The codes are expensive because a lot of time goes into developing them and keeping them current. As someone who has spen thousands of dollars on code books over the years, I too would like to see them cheaper, but until that time, if you want the code, pony up the cash. You should be able to call your local code official and ask about any code issue you have. That's part of their job. Failing that, you could talk to a local engineer or architect, but licensed professionals sort of like to get paid for their time. |
-I read somewhere that states/cities handle it differently--some have them for free online, some have them at public libraries, and some (in the northeast US)--basically just screw over the common citizen. These places grant an exclusive publishing contract to ONE company, to publish the building codes. That company sets the prices that they want, and there is very-little-to-no cost in "developing them" because the city does that. The prices charged are WAY over the publishing costs, I can assure you. The city always makes minor changes every year, just to ensure that last year's copy is always out of date. If you wanted to cut straight through the BS, ask your local officials where you can see the codes for free. If they say that there's no way for you to do that, you know what kind of state you're in. ~ |
Rochester, MI 48307. That would be awesome. |
Cities and states adopt a model code as the basis for their code. In the US, we have a few model codes to choose from: IBC, UBC, BOCA, SSBC - but anymore, the IBC is the most recognized and most accepted building code going. That code is authored and published by the International Code Council. They are the originator and sole publisher of the code. Some jurisdictions adopt the code as a whole, and publish separate amendments. The amendments are usually free, or available for a minimal charge ($5 or so). Other jurisdictions will take the model code and insert their modifications directly into the model code, thus creating a new code. In that instance, the jurisdiction should be charging something for the code, since they have to buy the modle code from whatever code organization wrote the model code. In the increasingly rare case, some jurisdictions writhe their own code from scratch. Louisiana used to have their own state building code that was unique. Those unique codes are usually purchased directly from the state office in charge of such things, and are not prohibitively expensive. I think the last such example I had to buy was about $40. The blue-highlighted portion of your post is pure bullshit. I won't dignify it with any further response, except to say that what you "read somewhere" was wrong. |
GO TO THE LIBRARY AND CHECK OUT THE BLUE BOOK FOR FREE!!! Edit - It's what I did. The code book will tell you how to frame and wire a pole barn for example, but your municipality will have the ordinances for required set back, max sq footage, etc. These will not be in the code book. If that info is not on the city or township webpage, stop in at the office and pay the $20 fee for the zoning ordinance book, or ask questions and get copies right there. |
Here is the guy you want to talk to, though:
I found this, also:
Source |
Thanks. I have actually talked to Ed on many occasions, and even recieved many a letter from his office. This is why we are building the garage, to finally get the crap out of the yard that is an eyesore to everyone including us. I was hoping to find it on the net, as to not have to drive down to the city or the library durring their hours. Thanks again. |
Yea, sometimes I am. Maybe I am this time. -Hmmm, let's see: http://www.constructionbook.com/xq/ASP/New-York-State-Code-Books/id.377/subID.386/qx/default2.htm ...here we have... -the New York State Building Code, Format: Looseleaf, Your Price: $95.00. For one looseleaf binder. -and here we have the New York State Code, Complete Set, in five looseleaf binders--Price: $399.00. ,,,,,, Maybe this one online retailer is overpriced? Let's try another: http://www.bookmarki.com/ Their price for the first book above is $89.06. Their price for the set of binders above is $388. Hmmm..... --------- I'm no printing expert but something tells me that if you went to a Kinko's they could print you up a binder full of text for less than 80 or 95 dollars. Of course you might argue that there is a lot of technical data in these books--but my point still remains--that the publishers don't provide that, the cities do. ...... And more importantly, these are laws that people are expected to follow, and some states don't provide any way to view them for free. In my opinion, the very principle of charging people for viewing copies of law that they are required to follow is despicable--it doesn't cost $95 to print a damn phone book, and the phone company leaves one on your doorstep once a year if you ask for it or not. What if you got arrested for a "firearms violation" and the police department told you that they didn't have to tell you what you did wrong, but for $95 you could buy a copy of the firearm code and see for yourself? There is absolutely no excuse for not having every law in the US available online for public viewing. ~ |
| The Michigan Building Code adopts the International Residential Code by reference. The 2003 Edition is the most current. The International Residential Code is not available online. (It is copyright protected and, hence, cannot be put online.) It should be available at your local library. |
The public laws probably are available for free viewing online. However, the public law will simply state that the local code authority has adopted such-and-such code as its building code. That code is the intellectual property of a private entity, whose sole purpose if to create model codes. The building code, in and of itself, is not a law. It is not public property. Perhaps you would prefer all such functions to be the propriety of the Central Authority, da Komrade? Edited for correction and clarification. |