Section 12-A3105. AWNINGS AND CANOPIES

 

Strike Section 3105 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3105 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows:

 

3105.1. General.  Awnings or canopies shall comply with the requirements of this Section 3105, other applicable sections of the Construction Codes, the Zoning Regulations and other applicable requirements.  Awnings or canopies projecting over or into public space shall comply with Section 3202.12. 

 

3105.1.1 Permit. A permit shall be obtained from the code official for the erection, or replacement of any fixed awning or canopy, or any retractable awning.

 

Exceptions:  A permit shall not be required to erect or replace fixed or retractable awnings projecting 40 inches (1016 mm) or less that are located outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts or the Historic Preservation Review Board, and are not subject to Section 3202.12, where the awnings meet one or more of the following criteria:

 

1. Awnings installed on detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade in height with a separate means of egress; or

 

2.Retractable awnings installed above the first story.

 

3105.2 Design and construction. Awnings and canopies shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind or other lateral loads and live loads as required by Chapter 16 with due allowance for shape, open construction and similar features that relieve the pressures or loads.  Structural members shall be protected to prevent deterioration.  Awnings shall have frames of noncombustible material with an approved covering that meets the fire propagation performance criteria of NFPA 701 or has a flame spread index not greater than 25 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84 or UL723.

 

3105.3 Fixed or permanent awnings.  The minimum clearance from the sidewalk or any other space used by the public to the lowest part of any fixed or permanent awning shall be 8 feet (2438 mm).  Fixed or permanent awnings installed above the first story shall not project more than 5 feet (1524 mm) from the face of the building.

 

Exception: Above doors on detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade in height with a separate means of egress, the minimum clearance from the sidewalk or any other space used by the public to the lowest part of the awning shall be 80 inches (2032 mm).

 

3105.4 Retractable awnings. The minimum clearance from the sidewalk or any other space used by the public to the lowest part of any retractable awning shall be 8 feet (2438 mm).  Retractable awnings shall be securely fastened to the building and, in the fully extended position, no part of the awning shall be closer than 12 inches (305 mm) to the vertical plane of the curb line.  Retractable awnings shall be equipped with a mechanism or device for raising and holding the awning in a retracted or closed position against the face of the building.

 

Exception: Above doors on detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade in height with a separate means of egress, the minimum clearance from the sidewalk or any other space used by the public to the lowest part of the awning shall be 80 inches (2032 mm).

 

3105.5 Canopies.  Canopies shall be attached to the building at the inner end and supported at the outer end by not more than two stanchions with braces anchored in an approved manner and shall not extend closer than 2 feet (610 mm) from the curb line.  The minimum clearance from the sidewalk or any other space used by the public to the lowest part of any canopy shall be 8 feet (2438 mm).  The width of canopies shall not exceed 8 feet (2438 mm).

 

3105.6 Lettering on awnings or canopies.  Lettering on awnings or canopies shall comply with the sign regulations set forth in Title 13 of the DCMR.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 2782 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR A). The International Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at:http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000001&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.