Chapter 15.04
UNIFORM CODES
Sections:
15.04.050 Codes and standards designated – Adopted by reference.
15.04.060 Electrical standards and inspection – State responsibility.
15.04.070 Administration and enforcement of chapter provisions.
15.04.080 Uniform codes – Copies on file.
15.04.105 Premises identification.
15.04.110 Violations and penalty.
15.04.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as “Uniform Codes.” (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.020 Application.
This chapter shall be applicable to all development activities including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, removal, converting, demolishing, equipping, using, occupying, or maintaining any building or structure. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.030 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform codes governing the activities set forth in BMC 15.04.020 to protect the general health, safety and welfare. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.040 Authority.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized pursuant to chapter 19.27 RCW, WAC Title 51, and other applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.050 Codes and standards designated – Adopted by reference.
As amended by the provisions of this chapter and the Washington State Building Code Council under WAC Title 51, the following codes are adopted by reference:
A. International Building Code, 2018 Edition;
B. International Residential Code, 2018 Edition;
C. International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition;
D. Uniform Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition;
E. International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, together with standards NFPA 58 and NFPA 54;
F. The Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials;
G. Appendix chapter J, Grading, of the International Building Code, 2018 Edition;
H. The Washington State Energy Code, 2018 Edition, and Reference Standard 29 developed by the Washington State Building Code Council, and set forth in chapters 51-11C and 51-11R WAC, as may be further amended;
I. Installation of Factory Built Housing and Commercial Structures, RCW 43.22.460, together with WAC 296-150C-0540, 296-150F-0540 and the installation of manufactured and mobile homes, RCW 43.22.440 and WAC 296-150M-0650;
J. International Existing Building Code, 2018 Edition;
K. International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition;
L. The city shall have the authority to enforce any provision, amendment, update, or requirement identified in the State Building Code or adopted by the State Building Code Council under WAC Title 51. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.060 Electrical standards and inspection – State responsibility.
The city relinquishes to the state all responsibilities for electrical construction standards and electrical inspection, heretofore assumed by the city under the provisions of laws of the state, chapter 19.28 RCW. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.070 Administration and enforcement of chapter provisions.
A. The building official shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. The building official shall use the edition of the Building Safety Journal/Building Valuation Data Tables as published by the International Code Council that is referenced in the fees Resolution No. 08-2014 or alternative methods such as architect and design engineer’s estimates, contractor bids or other established methods to establish the valuation of all construction as authorized by city council.
C. When submittal documents are required for plan review, a plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submittal consistent with the city’s adopted fee resolution. The plan review fees specified in this section are separate fees from the building permit fee, and are in addition to the building permit fee. Additional plan review fees and fee deferrals shall be subject to the following:
1. When submittal documents are revised so as to require additional plan review or when the project involves deferred submittal items as defined by International Building Code, an additional plan review fee may be charged.
2. Plan review fees for planning and engineering reviews shall be based on the city’s adopted fee resolution. Permit applicants shall be responsible for the payment of plan review fees regardless of whether a building permit is issued.
3. Payment of plan review fees may be deferred and paid prior to permit issuance with the approval of the building official.
4. A deposit may be charged in lieu of the full plan review fee if the full review amount is not known at the time of submittal. Any plan review deposit shall be applied toward the total plan review fee owed. The actual permit fees and related plan review fee shall be determined upon the completion of the plan review and the balance owing shall be paid at the time of permit issuance.
D. Payment of Permit Fees. Upon notification by the city that a permit application has been approved, the applicant shall submit payment to the city for all permit fees for which approval has been received prior to permit application expiration. All permit applications shall expire 180 days from the date the application was submitted. The applicant shall promptly advise the city of any changes that would limit or otherwise hinder the city in contacting the applicant.
E. Permit Expiration and Extensions. Every permit issued shall expire two years from the date of issuance except that extensions and renewals may be granted as follows:
1. An extended expiration date may be approved when a construction schedule is provided by the applicant and approved prior to permit issuance.
2. Permits may be granted a single extension of not more than one year beyond the original expiration date provided a renewal request is submitted, in writing, prior to the original permit expiration date. Significantly revised permits and plans shall not be renewed.
3. A permit renewal fee shall be charged consistent with the city’s adopted fee resolution. A single extension of up to 30 days may be granted with no additional fee when only the final building inspection is remaining and all other work has been inspected and approved. If the work required for a final inspection approval is not completed within the 30-day extension period the permit shall expire.
F. Where a plan review has been conducted, and no building permit is issued, it shall be the applicant’s responsibility to pick up all submitted plans and documents within three weeks following payment of the plan review fees. Following such three-week period, the plans and documents may be discarded or destroyed by the city.
G. The community development director may authorize a refund of any fee paid pursuant to the provisions of this chapter which was erroneously paid or collected. The community development director may authorize a refund of not more than 80 percent of the building permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this chapter. Any refund shall be reduced by the actual costs incurred in reviewing the application. The community development director shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon the written application filed by the original permittee. Plan review fees are not refundable. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.080 Uniform codes – Copies on file.
At least one copy of the adopted codes will be kept on file in the community development department and made available for public inspection during business hours. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.105 Premises identification.
Section 502, Premises Identification, of the International Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Approved numbers or addresses shall be displayed on all new buildings in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property, and shall conform to the standards of Burlington Municipal Code Chapter 15.10.
(Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.04.110 Violations and penalty.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to conduct development activities or erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure in the city, or cause the same to be done, in violation of provisions contained within or adopted by this chapter or any of the provisions of this chapter.
B. The owner or tenant of any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, or any architect, builder, contractor, agent, or other person who commits, participates in, assists in or maintains such violation may each be found in violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).