Equality State News

City of Rawlins recently issued the following announcement.

After years of notifications and pursuant to a district court decision, Mr. Hulme was required to abate a detached accessory structure for non-compliance with total footprint, height, and setback requirements per Rawlins Municipal Code 19.24.050. The accessory structure is also out of compliance with international building and fire codes. Building and fire codes are used to ensure safe and resilient structures. They are the minimum construction requirements to ensure the quality of structure to protect public health, safety and general welfare. 

On July 13, 2020, the City of Rawlins notified Mr. Hulme that his accessory structure was non-conforming under both the current Code and the Code at the time it was built. The letter provided three routes to bring the structure into compliance: provide a copy of the building permit, as the City had no record of a permit being granted; apply and receive a variance for the structure in a current or modified size; or modify the structure to bring it into compliance.

On October 22, 2020, Mr. Hulme applied for a variance for setbacks, the minimum separation between structures, and fire code. A variance is an administrative procedure that allows for a one-time exception to the Code. This variance was denied by the Board of Adjustments, as it did not meet the requirements for granting a variance as required in Rawlins Municipal Code 19.76.040. The Board of Adjustments is composed of five members of the public appointed by the council.

After months of non-compliance, the District Court ordered Mr. Hulme to bring his building into compliance by late February 2022. Mr. Hulme then applied for a modified variance for footprint, height, and rear setback. This variance was denied by the Board of Adjustments, as it also did not meet the requirements for granting a variance as required in Rawlins Municipal Code 19.76.040.

On March 29, 2022, the City of Rawlins provided final notification to Mr. Hulme that his building would need to be brought into compliance with code or it would be removed at his expense.

Although Title 19 has varied throughout this process, this building has never been in compliance with any version of Title 19. Also, although permits were pulled for construction at the residence on the property, none were pulled for the construction or improvement of the accessory structure.

The City of Rawlins Community Development and the Building Official Division are focused on keeping our community safe. We encourage anyone with questions regarding building codes or permit requirements to reach out to 915 3rd Street or at 307-328-4599.

For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations Coordinator, at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022.

Original source can be found here.