Building Regulations and Existing Buildings. Case Study: Miami, Florida

摘要

This report examines the Miami, Fla., building regulations and their administration and enforcement, with emphasis on desirable features which would be transferable to other communities. Miami was selected because of its growing population, its inventory of old buildings combined with extensive rehabilitation construction, and its assignment of responsibility for the Building and Zoning Inspection Department to a fire chief who acts as an assistant city manager. A description of community features covers the climate, topography, population, building types, and fire statistics. A review of the code's history and administration focuses on the review of planning, inspection, and licensing for new construction; regulations governing change of occupancy, additions, alterations, and retroactive code provisions; and the existing buildings inspection and recertification process. Findings indicated that the division of responsibilities among governmental bodies is clearly drawn and that the preliminary planning, plan review, and construction inspection processes function very efficiently. However, requests for code exceptions involve lengthy delays, and the recertification process is not always effective. Communication within and between all agencies appears to be as clear and effective as it needs to be. Several aspects of the Miami program reflect both creativity and realism in addressing the city's characteristics. Transferable program features are the periodic structural inspections of older buildings, preliminary plan review for a fee that can be applied against a building permit fee, prerequisite inspections when buildings are periodically licensed, the placement of the building department and fire department under a single responsible official, and the training of fire fighters in fire prevention and inspection methods. A chart and an appendix listing the names of persons interviewed for the study are provided.