Questions You May Not Know to Ask When Buying Local Property

Elizabeth Pace

8 years ago

A local business owner, who wants to remain anonymous, approached KLBK and EverythingLubbock.com to spread awareness of uncommon building code bills the City of Lubbock has required them to to open up their doors for business.

“When we bought it and had to submit the permit and one of the engineers there who’s responsible for the permit, written permit, he didn’t mention about we have to do something with the water,” the business owner said.

They later received an email from a City chief engineer explaining they would need to pay to have a fire hydrant installed on their property that will keep the building up to new 2014 building codes.

The business owner said they were shocked that they alone would have to fund this project, even though the fire hydrant would benefit the entire area.

“There’s no way we can get away from that so we have to pay,” The business owner said. “Even I asked them can we do partial? He said no we have to pay the full so they can release the permit.”

City of Lubbock Director of Public Works Wood Franklin said by purchasing the property, they are purchasing everything that goes along with it.

He added the building may not have a fire hydrant there now because the last time it was purchased or renovated, it was abiding by previous building codes. However, new 2014 codes will need to be enforced because of the amount of renovations to the building now.

The new fire hydrant installation will cost this business owner over $20,000 because of the amount of construction it will take to put it in that area. However, Franklin said not every new fire hydrant is this expensive.

“Somebody’s always like, well why is it my responsibility to pay for it,” Franklin said. “You’re the developer. That’s literally in the name of the that title. You’re developing the property, you’re taking vacant land, developing it, you’re improving it for financial gain and there’s costs associated with that.”

Franklin added those costs extend beyond the building when a new owner is bringing it up to code, like utility, flooding, and sewage requirements.

“If someone puts a building there, and there’s a need for a fire hydrant, that’s not the taxpayers responsibility,” Franklin said. “Tax payers didn’t place that building there.”

Therefore, the new owner will have to pay to have it installed, but Franklin said the City of Lubbock will maintain it when needed.

“We have 6,200 fire hydrants in the City of Lubbock,” Franklin said. “All paid for all installed by the developer who developed the land adjacent to it.”

Franklin recommends contacting the City first to go over the requirements that will go along with the property to avoid unforeseen expenses.

“Do your homework,” Franklin said. “Some properties are cheap, cheap for a reason.”

Meeting with a certified contractor or engineer at the property to go over its history, in context to where it’s located, is recommended by city officials.

Find a full list of codes and regulations on the City of Lubbock’s website here .