SUBJECT:
Title
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Amending Section 9-1-2 of the Erie Municipal Code to Remove the Automatic Sprinkler System Requirement in the International Residential Code (continued from October 28, 2025)
Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
ter
PRESENTER(S): Sarah Nurmela, AICP, Planning & Development Director
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
end
For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Town Council wishes to consider removing the current requirement for automatic fire sprinkler systems for all one- and two-family homes and townhomes in the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Town Council will weigh the benefits and impacts of removing this requirement, including housing costs, effectiveness, and safety.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend Council continue consideration of the proposed ordinance for removal of automatic fire sprinklers as previously presented in October 2025.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
* In December 2022, the Town adopted an updated building code ordinance which included requiring automatic sprinklers for one- and two-family homes and townhomes.
* After multiple input and study sessions on the topic in 2024 and 2025, Council directed staff to prepare an Ordinance amending the adopted 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) to remove the automatic fire sprinkler system provision for one- and two-family homes and townhomes. A public hearing was held on Oct. 28, 2025 to consider this ordinance (No. 011-2026).
* Town Council continued the hearing to March 24, 2026, and asked staff to evaluate whether the Town should require builders to offer sprinkler systems as an option.
* Staff analyzed potential options and summarized their recommendation to not move forward with a required builder option in Attachment 1.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Buildings an...
Click here for full text