HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Report 07-01-25
2
Carmel Plan Commission
COMMITTEE
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Department Report
2. Docket No. PZ-2025-00104 OA: Certificate of Occupancy UDO Amendment
The applicant seeks to amend Unified Development Ordinance Sections 9.02 and 11.02 to revise
Certificate of Occupancy standards and associated definitions related to changes in occupancy. Filed by
the Department of Community Services on behalf of the Carmel Plan Commission.
*Updates to the report are written in blue.
Project Overview: Please view the information packet for the proposed ordinance amendment.
Revisions Proposed:
See revisions to lines 55-58, highlighted in yellow, which acknowledge recent state legislation effective January
1, 2026. The recent legislation (HEA 1005) requires cities, towns and counties to allow plan reviews and
inspections to be conducted by certain private providers.
June 17th Public Hearing Recap:
Director Mike Hollibaugh presented an amendment to certificate of occupancy standards. The amendment
modernizes language and adds a change of occupancy requirement allowing safety inspections when
commercial spaces change tenants. Fire Marshal Chris Rohr emphasized the importance of this change,
explaining that it would help address safety issues like blocked exits, non-functioning exit lights, and out-of-
date fire extinguishers that are often discovered during annual inspections. No members of the public were
present to speak at the public hearing. Sergey Grechukhin mentioned that additional language would be added
regarding private inspections to comply with recent state legislation effective January 1, 2026. The Plan
Commission voted to send the ordinance to the PC Committee with the final vote back at full Plan Commission.
Recommendation:
The Department of Community Services recommends the Committee send this item to the Carmel City
Council with a Favorable Recommendation.
This amendment did not originate with the City Council and is not subject to a deadline.