Lesson 1Accessibility and universal design requirements affecting building layouts and shared spacesThis section explains universal access rules, fair housing guidelines, and county accessibility standards that shape site plans, entrances, pathways, and facilities. It highlights common design errors, paperwork needs, and inspection challenges for mixed-use shared areas.
Key ADA, ABA, and Fair Housing Act frameworksAccessible routes, slopes, and cross slopesParking, drop-off zones, and passenger loadingEntrances, lobbies, and vertical circulationRestrooms, amenities, and shared common spacesSignage, communication, and assistive featuresLesson 2Parking, loading, and street management rules in busy urban areasThis section outlines zoning and transport rules for parking spaces, loading bays, and roadside use in crowded towns. It addresses parking numbers, shared parking, loading area design, traffic demand measures, and working with county street management policies.
Minimums, maximums, and shared parking studiesAccessible, EV, and bicycle parking provisionsLoading dock sizing, access, and maneuveringCurb cuts, driveways, and pedestrian safetyCurb use: pick-up, delivery, and micromobilityTransportation demand management requirementsLesson 3Noise, dust, and air quality controls during building works (county bylaws and typical permit conditions)This section explains local noise, dust, and air quality bylaws that govern construction activities. It covers working hours, equipment restrictions, dust control, emission limits, monitoring, and typical permit conditions and fines.
Noise ordinances, work hours, and exemptionsEquipment selection, mufflers, and barriersDust control plans and water applicationMaterial handling, stockpiles, and haul routesAir emissions, idling limits, and monitoringCommunity complaints, notices, and enforcementLesson 4Fire safety and life protection requirements: fire ratings, fire sprinklers, smoke control, escape routes and distancesThis section details fire and life-safety rules affecting mid-rise mixed-use buildings. It covers occupancy types, fire-resistance ratings, sprinklers, alarms, smoke control, escape widths, travel distances, and coordination with fire services.
Occupancy, separation, and mixed-use strategiesFire-resistance ratings and firestopping detailsAutomatic sprinkler and standpipe designFire alarm, detection, and notification systemsSmoke control, pressurization, and exhaustEgress widths, travel distances, and exitsLesson 5Energy efficiency and green building mandates: energy code requirements, county energy rules, mandatory testingThis section reviews national energy standards, county green codes, and sustainability bylaws. It explains building envelope, heating/cooling, and lighting requirements, plus when testing, inspections, and energy modelling are required by code or incentives.
IECC scope, climate zones, and compliance pathsBuilding envelope insulation and air leakage limitsHVAC efficiency, controls, and economizer rulesLighting power density, controls, and daylightingCommissioning triggers, scope, and documentationEnergy modeling, benchmarking, and disclosureLesson 6Permitting, inspection, and approval processes: typical plan checks and inspection stages and timelinesThis section maps the typical approval path from pre-application to occupancy certificate. It explains plan review stages, trade permits, inspections, special checks, and strategies to align timelines, phasing, and approvals.
Pre-application meetings and due diligenceZoning, land use, and entitlement approvalsBuilding, trade, and right-of-way permitsPlan review cycles, comments, and resubmittalsRequired inspections and special inspectionsTemporary occupancy, final CO, and closeoutLesson 7Zoning basics for urban mixed-use developments: height limits, plot ratios, use mixes, setbacks, and step-backsThis section explains zoning basics for urban mixed-use projects, including height, plot ratios, density, and use mix controls. It covers setbacks, step-backs, overlays, bonuses, and exemption processes that influence building shape and viability.
Zoning districts, overlays, and comprehensive plansHeight limits, bulk planes, and view protectionsFAR, density, and floor plate efficiencyUse mixes, ground-floor activation, and retailSetbacks, stepbacks, and streetwall alignmentVariances, conditional uses, and rezoningsLesson 8Environmental rules: rainwater management, soil erosion control, county drainage requirementsThis section covers rainwater quality and quantity controls, erosion and sediment measures, and county drainage permit duties. It links design details, phasing, and maintenance plans to typical municipal review and inspection requirements.
Stormwater quality, quantity, and peak flow goalsDetention, retention, and green infrastructure toolsErosion and sediment control best practicesConstruction phasing and seasonal constraintsMS4 permits, SWPPP content, and reportingInspection, maintenance, and as-built obligationsLesson 9Overview of national building code provisions commonly applied to mid-rise mixed-use buildingsThis section introduces core national building code provisions for mid-rise mixed-use buildings. It addresses use and occupancy, construction types, height and area limits, structural and fire requirements, and how county amendments modify baseline rules.
IBC structure, chapters, and local adoptionUse and occupancy classifications and groupsConstruction types and allowable materialsHeight, stories, and allowable floor areasStructural design loads and lateral systemsKey fire and egress provisions for mixed-use
