Chapter 15.06
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Sections:
15.06.050 Application requirements.
15.06.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known as “Requirements for Construction Permit Applications.” (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.06.020 Application.
This chapter shall be applicable to all building and grading permit applications. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.06.030 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to identify the application requirements for building and grading permits. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.06.040 Authority.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized pursuant to chapter 19.27 RCW and other applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
15.06.045 Permit required.
Unless explicitly identified as exempt, a construction permit shall be required for all development consistent with the city’s adopted uniform codes. An exemption from having to obtain a permit shall not be construed as an exemption from other applicable requirements. This section shall not apply if a permit is required by other provisions of the Burlington Municipal Code.
A. Exempt Development. The following development shall not require a construction permit:
1. Decks. Decks and associated platforms and stairs when accessory to residential buildings constructed under the provisions of the IRC which are not more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade plane and not over any basement or story below.
2. Minor Alterations. Alterations of buildings regulated by the IRC for which the total cost of fair market value of the alteration does not exceed $1,500 in any consecutive six-month period. This exemption shall not otherwise exempt the alteration from the substantive standards of the city’s adopted uniform codes. This exemption also does not apply to electric, plumbing, or mechanical devices.
3. Roof Replacements. Roof replacements shall be exempt from permit requirements under the following circumstances:
a. For one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation, and the insulation value is equivalent or better than the existing structure; or
b. Where less than 500 square feet of roof sheathing or insulation is exposed within any six-month period. Permits shall be required for structural changes and replacement of sheathing of any size. See energy code sections R503.1.1, C503.1, and C503.3 for insulation requirements for existing buildings.
4. Solar Panels. Roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels for one- and two-family dwellings that have a total dead load not exceeding four pounds per square foot and are not more than 18 inches above the roof or the highest roof point on which they are mounted. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023).
15.06.050 Application requirements.
A. A valid and fully complete building permit application for a structure that is permitted under the zoning or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date of the application shall be considered under the building permit ordinance in effect at the time of application, and the zoning or other land use controls in effect on the date of application.
B. The requirements for a fully completed application shall consist of the elements required by RCW 19.27.095 (State Building Code Act), Sections 107.1 through 107.3.4 of the International Building Code, subsection (F) of this section, and all of the following:
1. The legal description, or the tax parcel number assigned pursuant to RCW 84.40.160, and the street address if available, and may include any other identification of the construction site by the prime contractor;
2. The property owner’s name, address, and phone number;
3. The prime contractor’s business name, address, phone number, and current state contractor registration number; and
4. Either:
a. The name, address, and phone number of the office of the lender administering the interim construction financing, if any; or
b. The name and address of the firm that has issued a payment bond, if any, on behalf of the prime contractor for the protection of the owner, if the bond is for an amount not less than 50 percent of the total amount of the construction project;
5. Applications for permits to construct a building which requires potable water shall include evidence of an adequate water supply for the intended use of the building consistent with RCW 19.27.097;
6. Any information requested by the city under the provisions of BMC Title 14A for purposes of determining consistency with applicable land use, engineering, zoning, development, or environmental regulations and controls;
7. Any applicable fees established by the fee schedule adopted by the city council;
8. Applications for building permit approval shall be submitted on forms provided by the community development director and shall include any additional information required by the form.
C. The information required on the building permit application by subsections (B)(l) through (4) of this section shall be set forth on the building permit document which is issued to the owner, and on the inspection record card which shall be posted at the construction site.
D. The information required by subsection (B) of this section and information supplied by the applicant after the permit is issued under subsection (E) of this section shall be kept on record in the office where building permits are issued and made available to any person on request. If a copy is requested, a reasonable charge may be made.
E. If any of the information required by subsection (B)(4) of this section is not available at the time the application is submitted, the applicant shall so state and the application shall be processed forthwith and the permit issued as if the information had been supplied, and the lack of the information shall not cause the application to be deemed incomplete for the purposes of vesting under subsection (A) of this section. However, the applicant shall provide the remaining information as soon as the applicant can reasonably obtain such information.
F. The limitations imposed by this section shall not restrict conditions imposed under chapter 43.21C RCW (the State Environmental Policy Act).
G. In addition to the information required by subsection (B) of this section, applications for clearing, grading, excavation, or filling, and applications to construct, modify, expand, or repair civil infrastructure, utilities, streets, stormwater improvements, or sidewalks shall include:
1. A complete set of plans showing plan and profile of all existing and proposed development to a scale acceptable to the city engineer and stamped by a civil engineer licensed in the state of Washington;
2. The plans shall show all utilities, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, typical cross-sections, construction notes and any other details that are necessary to properly build the project;
3. The submittal shall also include a drainage control plan that meets the minimum technical requirements set forth in BMC Title 14;
4. The plans shall contain all of the information required by, and shall comply with, the applicable provisions of BMC Titles 12, 13, and 14.
H. Except as explicitly modified by this chapter or BMC Title 14A, building and grading permit applications shall be processed as Type I decisions in accordance with the provisions of BMC Title 14A. (Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1906 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1855 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).