Moorhead is back in the twin home construction business
May 10, 2017
With the school district’s new Dorothy Dodds Elementary School under construction in the background, representatives from the City of Moorhead and the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead announced May 10, 2017, that legislation requiring sprinkler systems in twin homes has been amended. For permits issued after May 2, 2107, automatic fire sprinkler systems are not required to be installed in twin homes unless otherwise required under Minnesota law.
The Minnesota Legislature approved and Governor Mark Dayton signed legislation May 2, 2017, to amend Minnesota Rules Part 1309.0313, Sections R313.3 (Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems) to establish that newly built one-and two-family dwellings and newly built two-unit townhouses are not required to have installed automatic fire sprinkler systems under the Minnesota Residential Building Code. Sprinkler systems may still be installed at the consumer’s choice.
HBA of F-M Immediate Past President Tom Spaeth, Accent Contracting, said this clarification regarding fire sprinklers will result in more affordable housing for workforce families and individuals, and puts Moorhead and other border cities on a more level playing field with North Dakota.
The sprinkler requirement, which adds to the twin home cost, meant Moorhead has had only a few permits for twin home construction in the past year.
Moorhead Mayor Del Rae Williams said, “Moorhead has pent-up demand for twin homes, which are an important affordable housing product for our community.”
Categorized under: School