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After a second reading on Tuesday, the LaGrange city council approved an amendment to the city’s Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance to allow staff to conduct fire safety inspections rather than the fire marshal. 

The issue was first discussed by the council in January when the recommendation was forwarded from the planning commission. The planning board recommended removing any references to the fire marshal and the International Fire Code from the STR ordinance.

Previously, the ordinance required that building officials conduct an inspection and then the fire marshal to conduct an independent inspection. The change will now allow staff to perform the inspection for short-term rentals without the need to have a second inspection by the fire marshal.

The change also eliminates references to the International Fire Code, which is not set up for traditional residences. By following the International Fire Code the fire marshal would have to require that STR homes have sprinkler systems, lighted signs and other fire safety installations that are not feasible for standard houses.

The code would treat them more like an apartment complex or a hotel rather than a home, City Manager Patrick Bowie explained.

City building officials already go over a checklist that adequately addresses and inspects everything required under the building code and in the short-term rental ordinance, City Planner Mark Kostial said.

The change would also eliminate some of the work on the fire marshal’s busy schedule, Mayor Jim Arrington said.   

“The fire marshal has 39 inspections a week to do on businesses. He doesn’t have time to go and do short-term rentals, which is residential,” Arrington said.  “He’s really considered commercial.” 

“[The fire marshal] couldn’t overlook it when he’s going in because that’s his job,” Arrington said.  

No changes to the specifications of the fire safety codes within the ordinance were made. Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are still required, along with other safety measures.

A public hearing was held for the change on Feb. 11, but no one spoke for or against the measure. City staff said they received one call with questions about change but the resident’s concerns were alleviated. 

The change was unanimously approved by the council.