Bexar County does not require residential fire sprinklers in one and two family dwellings under Texas Local Government Code 233.153, which preempts counties from mandating sprinklers in homes, but commercial and multifamily buildings must comply with International Building Code and International Fire Code provisions adopted by reference.
Texas Local Government Code 233.153 prohibits counties from requiring fire sprinkler systems in newly constructed one or two family dwellings, even when adopting later editions of the International Residential Code. Builders may install sprinklers voluntarily, and homeowner insurance carriers often offer premium discounts. Multifamily dwellings (R-2 occupancy) and commercial buildings must comply with NFPA 13 sprinkler requirements per the IBC and IFC adopted countywide. Bexar County permits review through the Public Works permit office verifies sprinkler plans. Existing structures retrofitted with sprinklers must follow Texas State Fire Marshal rules.
Commercial occupancy without required sprinklers: red-tag and certificate of occupancy denial; IFC violation under TX HSC Chapter 419 enforceable by State Fire Marshal; insurance loss for non-compliance with NFPA 13.
See how Universal City's fire sprinkler requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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