Focus Area: Economy; Legal
Staff Contact: Jamie Robichaud; Ryan Arter; Ron Shaver; Bob Gallimore
________________________________________________________________________________
title:
title
Report regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 15.04 of the Olathe Municipal Code pertaining to the Residential Building Code of the City of Olathe, Kansas.
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
recommended motion:
Accept the report. Unless directed otherwise, staff will prepare the ordinance for formal consideration on June 16, 2026.
________________________________________________________________________________
Summary:
Earlier this year, the Kansas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 418, which requires cities to allow use of the 2018 edition of the International Residential Code (“2018 IRC”) or any version of the 2018 IRC adopted by a city prior to July 1, 2026, for new construction of single-family residences that are less than 2,500 square feet of total livable floor area.
After evaluating the effect of the bill and ongoing plans to adopt the 2024 ICC codes, staff recommends that the City continue to use its version of the 2018 IRC (“Residential Building Code”) as to all new single family, duplex, and townhouse projects, regardless of size. This will simplify customer applications, plan review, inspections, construction, and enforcement, and will also align with the intended approach of several surrounding jurisdictions.
Staff has conducted a comprehensive review of the Residential Building Code and has prepared proposed revisions for adoption before July 1. These revisions can be found in the attached proposed ordinance (Attachment A), accompanied by an explanation of the proposed changes (Attachment B) and Senate Bill 418 (Attachment C). Most of the revisions consist of moving existing administration and enforcement provisions from the Building Code to the Residential Building Code so that they will continue to apply. Additional revisions are proposed to clarify requirements and to simplify compliance and enforcement.
________________________________________________________________________________
Financial Information:
None.
________________________________________________________________________________
Attachment(s):
A - Ordinance 26-XX
B - Explanation of Changes
C - 2026 SB 418