Townhomes and property lines

[Julia XA]

Hi, me again.
I am still working on this townhome project.
My question is where in the IRC (or IBC) is 'townhome' defined as having to have property lines between them?

My local plans examiner claims that for structure to be considered a townhome under the IRC it each unit must be separated by property lines. However, I cannot find this definition anywhere in the IRC. The examiner claims it is not a local amendment but rather is in the IRC in the definition of townhome. I could find no mention of property lines in the definition or townhome (nor under dwelling), but perhaps it is in some other section? She declined to cite the exact chapter and section and only said "check the IRC for definition of townhome"

She is claiming the same exact buildings which meets the definition of townhome in the IRC (with common walls and open on at least 2 sides, etc), with property lines would fall under R-3 IRC but without property lines would fall under R-2 IBC


Thanks for any help.
Julia

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

[Julia XA]

Thank you. I could not find any mention of property lines either.
It will be interesting to hear what the ICC says about it.

I have found interpretations from other jurisdictions in other states that imply that property lines make the distinction between townhome and not-a-townhome per code, but they seem also to ignore the fact that term 'property line' is not mentioned in the code.

Julia