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CONSTRUCTION CODES AND LICENSING <br />FACT SHEET: <br />'WEDDING BARNS' AND THE BUILDING CODE <br />MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY <br />Old barns have become a popular venue for weddings, receptions, family reunions and similar gatherings. <br />What are the main code-related issues that should be considered? <br />As an existing building, the barn would be subjected to the requirements of the Minnesota Conservation Code <br />for Existing Buildings. In most instances, this would constitute a change of use as the barn was likely agricultural <br />and exempt from the code under Minnesota Statutes § 326B.121. Converting a barn for weddings and similar <br />functions reclassifies the building as an assembly use. <br />The biggest code issues that may arise from this <br />change of use/occupancy classification are: <br />• Requirement for an automatic sprinkler system <br />for assembly occupancies. <br />• Accessibility to the building, rest rooms and <br />elevated levels or floors. <br />• Minimum number of sanitation facilities (toilets, <br />lavatories and drinking fountains). <br />• Door swing, panic/fire exit hardware. <br />• Exit signs and emergency illumination. <br />• Fire detectors both manual and automatic. <br />• Allowable area and height based on the type of <br />construction and occupancy classification. <br />• Structural – most barns were never designed for the assembly use and, if exempt as agricultural, there is a <br />good chance that the required snow and wind loads were not considered as for commercial buildings. <br />Does converting a barn to an assembly use require having plans prepared? <br />Yes, because this changes the purpose and puts the barn into a higher risk use, plans for the barn's conversion <br />must be prepared by Minnesota licensed architects and engineers. <br />Does the new law for places of public accommodation apply to barns that are converted for weddings or <br />receptions? <br />Yes, if the barn contains a room or space having an occupant load of 200 or more. <br />Who enforces the building code on wedding barns? <br />As of July 1, 2017, where there is no local government building official, plans must be submitted to the Minnesota <br />Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) for building code review and approval before construction can begin. DLI <br />issues permits and inspects the construction of public assembly spaces in all non-code enforced areas. <br />Web: www.dli.mn.gov/ccld.asp <br />Phone: (651) 284-5005 or 1-800-657-3944