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 Galveston
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 10. BUILDING CODE
 Article I. INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

  § 10-2. Balconies, canopies and awnings.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    Definitions.

    Awning means an architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight frame structure over which a covering is attached.

    Canopy means a permanent structure or architectural projection of rigid construction over which a covering is attached that provides weather protection, identity or decoration, and shall be structurally independent or supported by attachment to a building on one (1) end and by not less than one (1) stanchion on the outer end.

    Balcony means a platform enclosed by a wall, hand rail, guard rail or balustrade on the outside of a building, with access from an upper-floor window or door. The term "balcony" includes a structure commonly known as a porch. A balcony shall either be temporary or permanent.

    Temporary platform means a platform which is intended for use for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days from the event for which certification is sought, at the end of the fourteen (14) day period all temporary components of the platform will be dismantled and removed from the site.

    Permanent platform means a platform which is a part of an existing structure, or is being appended to an existing structure, which is not intended for removal at all.

    (b)

    No property owner may allow people to gather for any reason on an awning or canopy as defined above. A property owner may allow people to gather on a platform which meets the definition of balcony as set out above, and for which a certification has been provided to the city and has been approved.

    (c)

    Property owners shall ensure that all balconies that are going to be used as a viewing stand or for public use shall conform to the 2009 International Building Code, and or current adopted building code, including live and dead load factors, handrails and guardrails. Property owners shall supply the city a copy of certification on live and dead load factors for all balconies.

    (1)

    For permanent balconies a property owner shall provide a report from a registered, professional engineer which certifies the balcony conforms to the 2009 International Building Code (as amended). The engineer will specify whether his certification is applicable for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) or five (5) years from the date the report is certified. If the engineer does not specify the number of years for which his certification covers, it will be deemed to cover a single year.

    (2)

    For temporary balconies, a property owner shall provide a report from a registered, professional engineer who certifies the balcony conforms to the 2009 International Building Code (as amended), and without its removal would continue to conform to that standard for a one (1) year period.

(Ord. No. 99-109, § 2, 11-23-99; Ord. No. 01-095, § 4, 12-13-01; Ord. No. 04-010, § 4, 1-8-04; Ord. No. 07-003, § 4, 1-4-07; Ord. No. 11-026, § 2, 4-14-11; Ord. No. 15-025, § 2, 4-9-15 )

Editor's note

Ord. No. 15-025, § 2, adopted April 9, 2015 , amended the title of § 10-2, to read as set out herein. Previously § 10-2 was titled canopies and awnings.