Sussex Asks State Lawakers to Oppose Restrictions on Building Codes

The Sussex Village Board is sending a letter to area legislators asking them to not support a bill that would take away local control to set minimum standards for the construction, repair and maintenance of workplaces and public buildings.

If the bill were to pass, Sussex leaders said the measure would not allow the village to enforce its fire sprinkler ordinance or set standards establishing what buildings must look like.

“There are some people right now saying this was just something that was dusted off from 2006 and it isn’t going to go anywhere,” Sussex Deputy Fire Chief Greg Zoellick said of the legislation. “But we’ve got another group of people saying, let’s get this out there before it gets anywhere.”

The letter states the village created a sprinkler ordinance in 1975 requiring non-residential buildings larger than 5,000 square feet to install the fire sprinklers. However, if the bill were to become law, no buildings smaller than 10,000 square feet would be required to have the sprinklers.

Because Sussex has its own ordinance, the letter states it has allowed taxpayers to save money by reducing fire department personnel and equipment costs, and fire damage is greatly reduced.

 Village leaders also said they’re against the legislation because it would halt them from enforcing local design ordinances, such as a ban on metal buildings.

 “This isn’t just about sprinklers,” Trustee Steve Berger said. “This is a whole range of issues.

The letter will be sent to the three state lawmakers who represent Sussex in Madison: Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee), Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) and Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-City of Pewaukee).