Winter Garden to consider local amendments to state building code

When Winter Garden commissioners meet Thursday, Feb. 27, they will be voting on amending the city's code of ordinances to create local amendments to the Florida building code.

In Chapter 553 of the Florida Statutes, local governments are allowed to adopt and enact local administrative amendments to the Florida Building Code that are stricter than the minimum standards. 

With this in mind, commissioners will decide whether to approve Ordinance 20-15. This would create a new code section that would require certain exterior and interior load-bearing walls in certain structures be made from masonry block, metal or concrete.

It also would create another new code section that requires vertical accessibility, or elevators, in certain multifamily structures that have two or more floors. 

Staff is recommending these actions because "it is in the best interest of the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Winter Garden and the general public," according to city documents.  

The Winter Garden Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, 300 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. For more information and to see what else is on the agenda, click here.