LEGAL UPDATES - SUMMER 2022
Employment practices. SB569 took effect January 1, 2022. The law makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to require, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, an employee or candidate to possess a valid driver license unless the ability to legally drive is an essential function of the job or is related to a legitimate business purpose.
Also, SB569 makes it unlawful to refuse to accept from an employment candidate, as an alternative to a driver license, any other identification documents that are deemed acceptable by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Minimum wage. The minimum wage increased on July 1, 2022 as outlined in the chart below:
Date
|
Standard
|
Portland Metro
|
Nonurban Counties
|
July 1, 2021
|
$12.75
|
$14.00
|
$12.00
|
July 1, 2022
|
$13.50
|
$14.75
|
$12.50
|
July 1, 2023
|
Adjusted annually based on the increase, if any, to the U.S. City Average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
|
$1.25 over the standard minimum wage
|
$1.00 less than the standard minimum wage
|
This interactive map can be used to help identify the correct minimum wage in your area(s) of operation.
January 2021
BUILDING CODES UPDATE
Changes to the International Building Code Affect Self Storage
With the support of its Code Committee, the Self Storage Association successfully pursued several key changes to the 2021 International Building Code.
- An exception has been added to IBC Section 2902.3.3 to permit an increase in the location (to greater than every other floor) and maximum distance of travel (to greater than 500 ft) for restrooms. The location and travel distance must be approved by the code official.
- The maximum allowable height of sprinklered facilities made of Type IIB materials (unprotected steel) and Type IIIB materials (noncombustible or fire-retardant-treated wood stud exterior walls and any interior construction) has been increased from 3 stories to 4 stories. The Code continues to have total floor and building square footage limits.
- Pursuant to modified IBC Section 903.2.9, storage facilities are exempt from the automatic sprinkler system requirement if: (1) the total fire area is 12,000 sq. ft. or less; (2) the combined total fire areas are 24,000 sq. ft. or less; (3) the facility is no greater than one story above grade plane; and (4) all storage spaces are accessed directly from the exterior.
These changes go into effect as they are adopted by local and state governments over the next several years. Prior to the adoption on the local and state level, storage developers can request that the code official rely on the 2021 changes as acceptable alternative methods of construction pursuant to section 104.11 of the existing International Building Code.
Please email Joe Doherty with any questions or to receive supporting documentation for these changes.