HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 1941 Adding Section re Basements to Building CodeCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
ORDINANCE NO. 1941
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS AMENDING CHAPTER 18, "BUILDINGS
AND DEVELOPMENT", ARTICLE II, "GENERAL REGULATIONS" OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY
PLACE, TEXAS BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 18-67 ENTITLED
"BASEMENTS."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. Chapter 18, "Buildings and Development", Article II, "General
Regulations" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West University Place, Texas is
amended by the adoption and addition of a new Section 18-67 entitled "Basements" to
read as set out in Appendix A, attached hereto. All other portions of Chapter 18 of the
Code of Ordinances not specifically amended hereby remain in full force and effect.
Section 2. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this
Ordinance are repealed to the extent of the conflict only.
Section 3. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other
part of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall
ever be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction,
neither the remainder of this Ordinance, nor the application of such word, phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of this Ordinance to any other
persons or circumstances, shall be affected thereby.
Section 4. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that a
sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting at which
this Ordinance was discussed, considered or acted upon was given in the manner
required by the Texas Open Meetings Act, as amended, and that each such meeting
has been open to the public as required by law at all times during such discussion,
consideration and action. The City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices
and the contents and posting thereof.
Section 5. This Ordinance takes effect immediately upon its passage and
adoption on second reading.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON FIRST READING on the 14th day
of March 2011.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON SECOND READING, AND
SIGNED, on the 28th day of March 2011.
I UAII
~ Signed:
s City Secretary (Seal) Mayor
Recommended:
City Manager
Approved as to legal form:
City Attorney
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Appendix A
(Amended Chapter 18, Buildings and Development, Article II, General Regulations,
Code of Ordinances)
ARTICLE II. GENERAL REGULATIONS.
Sec. 18-67. Basements
The construction of a basement for residential and commercial structures is prohibited
unless the following requirements are met:
(1) Ceiling height. The ceiling height of the basement does not exceed eight
(8) feet.
(2) Maximum square footage. The basement does not exceed 200 square
feet in area.
(3) Location. The basement is entirely within the footprint of the principal
building and no portion of the basement extends outside the middle third
of the width of the first floor. (e.g., the owners of a forty (40) foot wide first
floor structure could build a basement with a maximum width of 13.33 feet
while still leaving 13.33 feet on either side of the space to the outside edge
of the first floor foundation.)
(4) Uses. A basement may only be used for mechanical equipment, elevators
and storage, which shall include wine cellars.
(5) Facilities not allowed. No plumbing equipment is allowed except for what
is needed to operate mechanical equipment (e.g., sump pumps).
(6) International Building and Residential Codes. The basement shall meet
all other applicable requirements of the International Building and
Residential Codes adopted by the City.
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