MO HB1285

By August 28, 2011, each county and fire protection district must adopt and enforce the 2003 ICC International Fire Code by order or ordinance, with the option to incorporate by reference with proper filing and public availability requirements.

Communities retaining existing power to adopt ordinances may continue to adopt or repeal ordinances incorporating building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire prevention codes by reference on or before August 27, 2011, with copies filed in the clerk's office for 90 days before adoption.

Any ordinance or order adopting a code by reference must separately state penalties for violations, with penalties not incorporated by reference.

If a county or fire protection district fails to adopt the International Fire Code by August 28, 2011, the state fire marshal must promulgate rules adopting the code to govern construction and occupancy of residential structures in non-compliant areas until local adoption occurs.

The state fire marshal may determine whether alternative codes are equivalent to or stricter than the International Fire Code and shall provide assistance to counties and fire protection districts in adoption.