Minor alterations or repairs to an existing building which do not adversely affect the performance or safety of the building may be made with the same or like materials. Existing buildings which, in part or as a whole, exceed the requirements of any applicable construction or fire safety code, may, in the course of compliance with this article, have reduced or removed, in part or total, features not required by such code for new construction; provided, however, that such features were not a condition of prior approval. Existing buildings and structures which, in part or as a whole, do not meet the requirements of the applicable code for new construction may be altered or repaired without further compliance to any such code by utilizing the provisions of this article, provided that their present degree of compliance to any applicable construction or fire safety code is not reduced. Any new mechanical systems installed in an existing building shall conform to applicable codes for new construction to the fullest extent practical as approved by the authorized enforcement authorities.
History. Code 1981, § 8-2-215 , enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1160, § 1; Ga. L. 2020, p. 493, § 8/SB 429.
The 2020 amendment, effective July 29, 2020, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted “provided that their present” for “provided their present” in the middle of the next-to-last sentence of this Code section.
Structure Georgia Code
Title 8 - Buildings and Housing
Article 3 - Application of Building and Fire Related Codes to Existing Buildings
§ 8-2-201. Purpose and Applicability of Article
§ 8-2-203. Effect of Article on State and Local Enforcement Authorities
§ 8-2-204. Alteration or Repair Without Total Compliance With New Construction Requirements
§ 8-2-205. Identification and Correction of Certain Conditions or Defects
§ 8-2-206. Consideration of Compliance Alternatives
§ 8-2-207. Compliance Alternatives for Inadequate Number of Exits
§ 8-2-208. Compliance Alternatives for Excessive Travel Distances to Approved Exit
§ 8-2-210. Compliance Alternatives for Inadequate Fire Partitions or Walls
§ 8-2-211. Compliance Alternatives for Lack of Required Protection of Openings in Exterior Walls
§ 8-2-212. Filing of Approved Compliance Alternatives
§ 8-2-213. Final Review of Projects; Agreement of Local Authorities
§ 8-2-216. Continuation of Legal Use and Occupancy
§ 8-2-217. Total Change in Use or Occupancy
§ 8-2-218. Change of Portion of Building to New Use or Occupancy
§ 8-2-219. Changes Which Increase Floor Loading
§ 8-2-220. Rules and Regulations
§ 8-2-221. Appeals of Rulings or Decisions
§ 8-2-222. Immunity of State and Local Entities; Liability of Property Owner or User