D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 12-A705
Strike Sections 705.8 and 705.8.1 in the International Building Code in their entirety (with the exception of Table 705.8) and insert new Sections 705.8 and 705.8.1 in their place in the Building Code to read as follows:
Openings. Openings in exterior walls shall comply with Sections 705.8.1 through 705.8.7.
Allowable area of openings. The maximum area of unprotected and protected openings permitted in an exterior wall in any story of a building shall not exceed the percentages specified in Table 705.8.
Exceptions:
Strike Section 705.8.7 in the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 705.8.7 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows:
At-risk openings allowed fifteen (15) feet or less from adjacent structures or premises. Notwithstanding Table 705.8, exterior walls of buildings with a fire separation distance of 15 feet (4572 mm) or less shall be permitted to have openings if the building (i) contains occupancies other than Group H, and (ii) is equipped throughout with sprinklers in accordance with Section 903, subject to the restrictions of Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.8.
Exceptions:
Abutting buildings. A limited number of door openings between two abutting buildings, protected in accordance with Section 705.8.7.5, shall be permitted when:
Horizontal exposure. Those stories that directly face other buildings or structures located either on the same lot or on an adjacent lot, having a distance between buildings of 15 feet (4572 mm) or less, shall comply with Sections 705.8.7.2.1 through 705.8.7.2.3.
Exposure by adjacent structure less than three feet away. Those portions of the exterior walls of a story that directly face another structure and have a distance to the adjacent structure of less than 3 feet (914 mm) shall have no openings, unless permitted by Table 705.8.
Exposure by adjacent structure between three and ten feet away. Those portions of the exterior walls of a story that directly face another structure and have a distance to the adjacent structure of 3 feet (914 mm) to less than 10 feet (3046 mm) shall have no more than 45 percent openings.
Exposure by adjacent structure between ten and fifteen feet. Those portions of the exterior walls of a story that directly face another structure and have a distance to the adjacent structure of 10 feet (3046 mm) to less than 15 feet (4572 mm) shall comply with Section 705.8.7.2.2 or with Table 705.8.
Vertical exposure. Those stories that extend higher than the adjacent building or premises, but do not project over the adjacent building or premises, shall comply with Sections 705.8.7.3.1 and 705.8.7.3.2.
Less than three feet horizontally. No openings are allowed in those portions of the exterior walls of a story that meet both of the following conditions:
Exceptions:
Greater than or equal to three feet horizontally. In those portions of the exterior walls of a story that are 3 feet (914 mm) or greater horizontally from the vertical projection of the nearest edge of the adjacent structure or premises, and less than 15 feet (4572 mm) above the level of the roof of the adjacent structure or above the grade of the adjacent premises, a maximum area of openings of 45 percent of such portions of the exterior wall, calculated story by story and for each wall face, shall be allowed, where any one of the following conditions occur:
Exceptions: Where there are skylights or other unprotected openings in the roof of the adjacent exposing building that are less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the vertical projection of the exterior wall of the exposed building, the percentage of openings allowed under condition (b) of this Section 705.8.7.3.2 shall be reduced to the following percentages:
Other allowable openings. In portions of the exterior walls of any story, other than those specified in Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.3, openings up to the maximum of 45 percent of those portions of the exterior wall, calculated story by story and for each wall face, shall be authorized. Openings in compliance with Table 705.8 shall also be authorized.
Required opening protection. Where openings are authorized by Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.4, such openings shall be protected as required by Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.4, a nd window openings shall be protected by tempered, wired, or laminated glass, installed in compliance with Section 716.6. Mechanical and door openings shall be protected in compliance with Sections 716.5 or 717.5.6.
Owner's responsibility. The owner of the building where openings are authorized pursuant to Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.5. is responsible for making any modifications in the openings, the exterior wall, or appurtenant protective systems necessary to maintain the building's compliance with this code, whenever changes occur in the exterior envelope of any building or premises within a distance of 15 feet (4572 mm) or less of that exterior wall that render the openings no longer compliant with this code. The owner of the building with the resulting non-compliant openings shall complete all actions required to make the openings compliant with this code, as determined by the code official, including but not limited to: closing of openings; upgrading of opening protectives; and removal or extension of parts of the required sprinkler system protecting the openings.
Abatement of unsafe conditions. If the owner of a building or structure where any openings in exterior walls were allowed pursuant to Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.6 fails to maintain in working order the protective systems required, or fails to proceed to make any changes required by the code official under Section 705.8.7.5, the code official is authorized to cause the necessary work to be done, in the interest of the safety and welfare of the public, in accordance with D.C. Official Code §§ 6-801et seq. (2018 Repl.) and any other applicable laws and regulations. The cost of work shall become a lien against the property of the offending owner, to be recovered by the District of Columbia through appropriate action.
Required covenants. Prior to issuance of a building permit authorizing work that includes openings authorized under Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.7, the applicant shall execute and record a covenant in accordance with the requirements of Section 106.2.19 and Section 120 as applicable to ensure that compliance with the minimum requirements of Sections 705.8.7.1 through 705.8.7.7 will be maintained for as long as the openings shall exist, and that the responsibility to maintain this compliance will be conveyed to any future owner of the building or holder of an interest therein.
D.C. Mun. Regs. r. 12-A705