Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

The city of Watertown, MN has adopted the following codes:

• 2015 Minnesota Building Code, based on the 2012 IBC. Minn. R. § 1305.0011. 
• 2015 Minnesota Residential Code, based on the 2012 IRC, including Appendix K with amendments. Minn. R. § 1309.0010.
• 2015 Minnesota Conservation Code for Existing Buildings, based on the 2012 IEBC with amendments. Minn. R. § 1311.0010.
• 2015 Minnesota Energy Code, based on the 2012 IECC. Minn. R. § 1322.0010 (residential) and Minn. R. § 1323.0010  (commercial).

Watertown, MN Muni Code § 14-25 (Codes Adopted by Reference).

Helpful resources for Watertown, Minnesota include the following.

• Jurisdiction's Information Page(s):
  • Watertown, MN Building Permit Information webpage
• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Minnesota

Residential Building Code

Minnesota adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control. Authority for local amendments will be limited.See PLRB, Minnesota Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Watertown adopted the 2012 IRC, statewide. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2020 Minnesota Residential Code (2018 IRC)(Watertown, MN Sec. 14-25. - Codes adopted by reference.)

...The Minnesota State Building Code (the "Code"), as adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry pursuant to M.S.A. ch. 326B, including all of the amendments, rules and regulations established, adopted and published from time to time by the Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry, through the Building Codes and Standards Unit, is...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: no

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Watertown ? Yes
Citation: 14.25
Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/mn/watertown/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH14BUBURE_ARTIIBUCO_S14-25COADRE
Comments:

The 2015 Minnesota Residential Code adopted the 2012 International Residential Code, with amendments. Minn. R. § 1309.0010.

Drip Edges: Section R905.2.8.5 is deleted in its entirety. See Minn. R. § 1309.0905. See the tables below.

Table R301.2(1) – Ice Barriers are required. Minn. R. § 1309.0301.

Ground Snow Load	Wind Speed (MPH)	Topographic	Seismic Design Category	Damage from Weathering	Damage from Frost Line Depth
60 lbs	90	YES	A	Severe	5 feet

Damage from Termite	Winter Design Temp	Ice Barrier Underlayment Required	Flood Hazards	Air Freezing Index	Mean Annual Temp
None to Slight, Also see Footnote "C"	Summer 81/67 Winter -20 F See Table R403.5.17	YES	See Minn R Chapter 1335	4,000 See Table R403.3(2)	41.16 deg

 

Comments

The 2015 Minnesota Residential Code adopted the 2012 International Residential Code, with amendments. Minn. R. § 1309.0010. The city of Watertown adopted the 2015 Minnesota Residential Code. Watertown, MN Muni Code § 14-25 (Codes Adopted by Reference).

 

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

Any buildings meeting the requirements of the International Residential Code are exempt from the Minnesota Existing Building Code chapter 1311. Minn. R. § 1309.0100.

References to the International Property Maintenance Code do not apply. Minn. R. § 1311.0020.

Commercial Building Code

Watertown adopted the 2012 IBC, statewide. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2020 Minnesota Bldg. Code (2018 IBC)(Watertown, MN Sec. 14-29. - Building code optional chapters.)

...The Minnesota State Building Code, Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 1300, allows the city to adopt by reference and enforce certain optional chapters of the most current edition of the Minnesota State Building Code. The following optional provisions identified in the most current edition of the state...

Comments

The 2015 Minnesota Building Code, effective June 2, 2015, Minn. R. § 1305.0011. The city of Watertown adopted the 2015 MN State Building Code. Watertown, MN Muni Code § 14-25 (Codes Adopted by Reference).

Existing Buildings

The 2015 Minnesota Conservation Code for Existing Buildings, was adopted by the city. Minn. R. § 1311.0010: Watertown, MN Muni Code § 14-25 (Codes Adopted by Reference).

Other Building Codes