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. 

1. 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.
2. 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. 
3. 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.

Support Needed

Our Pennsylvania bill, HB1103, was introduced earlier this week. With your assistance, the bill now has 13 co-sponsors! The PASSA needs your help! Please contact your state Representative, and ask them to support this legislation. Please remind your representative that an identical bill passed unanimously in 2020 after all stakeholders reached consensus. Contribute to PASSA's political action committee.

PASSA Members - Click Here to Contact your Representative

Please Consider a Contribution to PASSA's PAC

Please contribute to PASSA’s political action committee by sending a PERSONAL check to: PA Self Storage PAC, 908 N 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 Your contributions help PASSA to strengthen its relationships with key decisionmakers in Harrisburg.

State Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York) has circulated a memo to his colleagues in the House, announcing his intention to reintroduce legislation to modernize the state's self storage lien law, which last session was HB 1756. As you will recall, HB 1756 passed the House unanimously last fall, but did not receive consideration in the Senate. The cosponsor memo can be found HERE.

When it is introduced, it will get a new bill number, and be referred to the House Commerce Committee. The new bill will be nearly identical to the version that passed the House, so we believe it has a good chance of prompt passage again, but we need your help.

Please contact your state Representative HERE, and ask them to cosponsor this legislation.

Please contribute to PASSA’s political action committee by sending a PERSONAL check to:

PA Self Storage PAC, 908 N 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Your contributions help PASSA to strengthen its relationships with key decisionmakers in Harrisburg.

The Inside Self-Storage Best of Business Poll just opened! Please consider voting PASSA as Best State Association! Please note, one vote PER email address, but you can vote using multiple email addresses. Please share, and let's vote PASSA as best large AND small association! Vote from March 1 - March 31!  Vote HERE -  https://lnkd.in/gYMyqKt

Events

The Pennsylvania SSA is working to provide you with opportunities for networking, access to education, and is your source of news and information.  As a member of PASSA we are hosting  a FREE networking hour with legal and legislative updates, a live Q & A to get your questions answered, and for you to share your recent experiences navigating through the pandemic with fellow owner-operators.   Not a member, click HERE to join and click HERE to learn more about this great benefit.

PASSA Networking Hour - April 22 at 11:30 am ET - Register HERE

Limited Sponsorship Opportunities - Click HERE

Your state Senator needs to hear that you support House Bill 1756! HB1756, which would modernize the lien law, remains pending in the Senate. We need the Senate to act quickly to pass the bill. Today, please email (good) or call (better) the Senators where you live and where you do business, and ask the Senators to support HB1756. The Senators need to hear from you even if you have emailed or called already.

Click here to find your Senator. Please email Joe Doherty with any questions.

New Overtime Pay Requirements Coming to Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania recently published a final rule that will increase the minimum amount a salaried employee must be paid (among other requirements) in order to be exempt from overtime compensation, beginning in October 2021. Pennsylvania employers, including PASSA members, should review the rule now to prepare for changes to employee compensation.

While Pennsylvania’s new overtime rule sets a new overtime pay threshold for 2020, the 2020 threshold is identical to the federal standard. Pennsylvania’s overtime pay threshold will exceed the federal level on October 3, 2021. The new salary threshold for exemptions under the executive, administrative, or professional designations will be phased in as follows:

• ·         $684 per week, $35,568 annually, on October 3, 2020 (same as the current federal standard);
• ·         $780 per week, $40,560 annually on October 3, 2021; and
• ·         $875 per week, $45,500 annually on October 3, 2022.

PASSA members should carefully review this memo, PASSA members click here,  to ensure all employees are appropriately classified as either “overtime eligible” or “overtime exempt.” 

Not a PASSA member, click HERE to join and access critical information about self storage in Pennsylvania. 

Thanks to your assistance, House Bill 1756 passed the House unanimously!

The bill is now in the state Senate.

We need to act quickly to ensure that the bill reaches Governor Wolf.

You can help in two ways:

1. Please call or email the state Senator(s) for your home and business. Your message is simply: tell them who you are and ask them to support HB1756.
2. Please contribute to PASSA’s political action committee by sending a PERSONAL check to:

PA Self Storage PAC, 908 N 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.

Your contributions help PASSA to strengthen its relationships with key decisionmakers in Harrisburg.

We need you to voice your support for House Bill 1756.

Please call or email your state representative today and ask him or her to support House Bill 1756. Click HERE.

The bill is expected to be voted on by the House September 16, 2020. PASSA members are urged to call or email the state representatives whose districts cover their homes and businesses and ask those representatives to support HB1756.  

The Pennsylvania Self Storage Association supports HB1756, which is a continuation in PASSA’s efforts to modernize the self storage lien law. Following negotiations with members of the House Commerce Committee, HB1756: 

• reduces the number of lien sale advertisements that must be published in a newspaper;
• establishes a late fee safe harbor of $20 or 20% of rent, whichever is greater; and
• expressly authorizes online lien sales. 

Questions?

Contact Joe Doherty, SSA SVP Chief Legal & Legislative Officer

703.575.8000x123 or email jdoherty@selfstorage.org

Click HERE to read the full communication sent on September 3, 2020. 

As a PASSA member you have access to a large library of information, resources and legal help related to preparing and navigating through disasters.

Click here to access the complete library on the national SSA website. Topics include:

·         Price Gouging Laws

·         Emergency Preparedness

·         Water and Humidity

·         Insurance

·         Legal Help, Self Storage Legal Network , Affiliate Plan

·         Communication Plan and More!

Click here for your state’s emergency management agency.

Click here for the complete communication that was sent to members.