Chapter 16.05 BUILDING CODE*

It is the purpose and objective of this chapter to adopt, with certain modifications and/or amendments as are desired by the county, those codes mandated by Chapter 19.27 RCW to ensure that the standards of construction and the use of buildings and structures within the unincorporated area of the county are consistent with nationally recognized standards. [Ord. 12-078, § 2, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 2, 7-3-07.]

16.05.030 Applicability.

The provisions of this chapter, and the codes and regulations adopted herein, shall apply in the unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County. [Ord. 12-078, § 3, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 3, 7-3-07.]

16.05.040 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following definitions shall apply in this chapter and the codes adopted herein:

A. “Administrator” or “Administrative Authority” means the Director of the Department of Building and Planning or his or her duly authorized representative.

B. “Board” means the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners.

C. “Board of Appeals” for the purposes of this chapter and referenced codes means the Cowlitz County Hearings Examiner.

D. “Building Official” and “Code Official” mean the individual who is designated by the jurisdiction as the person who administers and enforces the Washington State Building Code.

E. “Chief,” “Chief of the Fire Department” and “Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention” mean the Director of the Department of Building and Planning or his or her duly authorized representative.

F. “Chief of Police” and “Police Department” mean the Cowlitz County Sheriff or his or her authorized representative.

G. “Department,” “Fire Department,” and “Bureau of Fire Prevention” mean the Department of Building and Planning of Cowlitz County.

H. “Director” means the Director of the Cowlitz County Building and Planning Department. The term includes Planning Director, and may include any person designated by the Director to administer the provisions of this chapter.

I. “Executive Body” means the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners.

J. “Fire Marshal” and “Fire Code Official” means the Cowlitz County Building Official or his or her duly authorized representative.

K. “WISHA” means Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act. [Ord. 24-020 § 2, 3-5-24.]

16.05.050 Building code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 International Building Code as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Only the following appendices of the International Building Code are adopted: Appendix C and Appendix E (Sections E101 through E107) as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council.

B. Section 101.4 is amended to read as follows:

Referenced Codes: The other codes listed below shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the extent that each code is adopted and hereafter amended.

101.4.1 Gas. The provisions of the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code.

101.4.2 Mechanical. The provisions of the 2021 International Mechanical Code.

101.4.3 Plumbing. The provisions of the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code.

101.4.4 Property Maintenance is not adopted.

101.4.5 Fire. The provisions of the 2021 International Fire Code.

101.4.6 Energy. The provisions of the 2021 Washington State Energy Code.

101.4.7 Existing Buildings. The provisions of the 2021 International Existing Building Code.

C. Section 102.4 shall be amended to read as follows:

Referenced Codes and Standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the extent that such codes have been adopted by Cowlitz County. Where differences occur between the provisions of this code and the referenced code, the provisions of this code shall apply.

D. Section 103, Code Compliance Agency, is not adopted.

E. Sections 105.1.1 and 105.1.2 are not adopted.

F. Section 105.2 is amended as follows:

Building:

14. Construction as described below when undertaken by a firm or industry that, as determined by the building official, employs both a permanent, full time, on-site, engineering staff with at least one engineer registered in the state of Washington, and a permanent, full time, on-site, maintenance staff that is trained at least to the journeyman level or equivalent for the type of work performed, and the work will be performed by that maintenance staff. Any work performed by a contractor or other person not directly employed by a firm or industry as described above, will be required to obtain all required permits prior to the commencement of work, unless the work is exempt from permit requirements by other provisions of this code.

a. Repairs, maintenance, re-roofing, or minor alterations to existing buildings that do not affect structural supports, egress, fire rated construction, or fire protection.

b. Installation of tanks; process equipment; wire mesh fences up to eight feet high; small (less than 50 square feet) slab on grade for equipment bases less than four feet high; and pressure vessels registered with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, subject to the limitations described below. Process ventilation equipment is also exempt provided it meets the requirements of the International Fire Code. Access stairs, platforms, or walkways that are an integral part of or provide access to equipment are also exempt, provided they meet WISHA standards. Conveyors that are nominally at ground or floor level are exempt.

1. Tanks, whether site-constructed or prefabricated, will require permits for the foundation and any support not an integral part of the tank design. Fees will be based on the foundation only; however, satisfactory documentation shall be provided to the building official verifying that seismic, wind, dead, live and snow loads are designed per I.B.C. Chapter 16 for this area. Special inspections as required by I.B.C. Chapter 17 shall be performed on these tanks and provided to the building official.

2. Process equipment, whether site-constructed or prefabricated, will require permits for the foundation and any support not an integral part of the equipment. Fees will be based on the foundation only. Seismic, wind, dead, and live loads of the process equipment shall be considered in the design. Applicable standards for this geographical area shall be utilized.

Electrical: this subsection is not adopted.

G. Section 109.1 is amended to include the following:

Plan Review Fees. When submittal documents are required by Section 107, a plan review fee shall be paid. Payment of the plan review fee is not contingent upon the issuance of a permit but is due upon submittal of an application for permit. Plan review fees are separate fees from the permit fees specified above, and are in addition to the permit fees. Where submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review or when a project involves deferred submittal items as defined in Section 107.3.4.1, an additional plan review fee shall be charged.

Permit and Plan review fees shall be an amount as established from time to time by resolution by the Board.

H. Section 109.3 is amended to read as follows:

Building Permits & Valuations. The applicant for a building permit shall provide an estimated permit value at the time of application. Permit valuations shall include the total value of work, including materials and labor, for which a permit is being issued, such as electrical, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. The Building Official may use building cost and valuation data published in public or private publications as a guide to determine valuation.

I. Section 109.4 is amended to read as follows:

Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences work on a building, structure, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining necessary permit shall be subject to an investigation fee, in addition to a permit fee, whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all the provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

J. Section 113, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

K. Section 114, Violations, is not adopted.

L. Section 1011.2 is amended to include:

EXCEPTION:

#4. Stairs or ladders used only to attend equipment are exempt from the requirements of Section 1011 if the equipment does not have an operator’s station that is staffed on a full time basis. The exempt stairs or ladders shall conform to WISHA standards in effect at the time of installation.

M. Section 1608.2 is amended to read as follows:

Ground Snow Loads. The ground snow loads to be used in determining the design snow loads for roofs are given in CCC 16.05.070, ‘TABLE A’ of this ordinance.

[Ord. 24-020 § 3, 3-5-24.]

16.05.060 Residential code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code, as published by the International Code Council and as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Section R102.5 Appendices. Only the following appendices of the International Residential Code are adopted: Appendices AH, AM, and AWU.

B. Section R102.7 shall be revised as follows:

Existing Structures. The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings Code or the International Fire Code, or as deemed necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public.

C. Section Rl03, Department of Building and Safety, is not adopted.

D. Section R105.2 is amended as follows:

Work exempt from permit. Building:

Electrical: this subsection is not adopted.

E. Section R105.3.1.1 is not adopted.

F. Section R106.1.4 is not adopted.

G. Section R107.3 is not adopted.

H. Section R108.1 is amended to read as follows:

Plan Review Fees.

When submittal documents are required by Section R106, a plan review fee shall be paid. Payment of the plan review fee is not contingent upon the issuance of a permit but is due upon submittal of an application for permit. Plan review fees are separate fees from the permit fees specified above, and are in addition to the permit fees. Where submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review, an additional plan review fee shall be charged.

I. Section R108.3 is amended to read as follows:

J. Section R108.6 is amended as follows:

Work commencing before permit issuance.

Any person who commences work on a building, structure, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining necessary permit shall be subject to an investigation fee, in addition to a permit fee, whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all the provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

K. Section R112, Board of Appeals, is not adopted.

L. Section R113, Violations, is not adopted.

M. TABLE R301.2 is amended as follows:

			SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM
GROUND SNOW LOAD	WIND SPEED (MPH)	SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY	WEATHERING	FROST LINE DEPTH	TERMITE	WINTER DESIGN TEMP.	ICE SHIELD UNDER-LAYMENT REQUIRED	FLOOD HAZARDS	AIR FREEZING INDEX	MEAN ANNUAL TEMP.
TABLE A	IRC Sec 301.2	D1	MODERATE	12''	SLIGHT TO MOD.	22° F	NO	COUNTY CODE *	170	51.5° F

* Flood Hazard construction shall comply with the provisions of CCC 16.25 “Floodplain Management.”

[Ord. 24-020 § 4, 3-5-24.]

16.05.070 Table A.

TABLE A

COWLITZ COUNTY DESIGN SNOW LOAD* (psf)

Elevation	Minimum Snow Load
200 or less	20
201 – 400	30
401 – 700	35
701 – 1000	45
1001 – 1300	55
1301 – 1600	65
1601 – 1900	75
1901 +	80
Minimum snow loads for elevations in excess of 2000 ft. shall be approved by the Building Official

* Based on “Snow Load Analysis for Washington” published in 1995 by Structural Engineers of Washington. Minimum snow loads for elevations in excess of 2000 ft. shall be approved by the Building Official.

[Ord. 24-020 § 4, 3-5-24.]

16.05.080 Fire code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council and as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Only the following appendices of the International Fire Code are adopted: Appendices B, C, and D.

B. Section 104.6.3 is amended to read as follows:

Fire Records. The local Fire District shall keep a record of fires occurring within its jurisdiction and of the facts concerning the same, including statistics as to the extent of such fires and damage caused thereby, together with other information as required by the fire code official. These records shall be made available to the fire code official and fire marshal upon request.

C. Section 105.2.2 is amended to include:

The fire code official shall inspect, as often as may be necessary, buildings and premises, including such other hazards or appliances as the fire marshal may designate for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions which would reasonably tend to cause fire or contribute to its spread, or any violation of the purpose or provisions of this code and of any other law or standard affecting fire safety, provided that fire prevention inspections shall not be made of the following: (1) one- and two-family dwellings; (2) residential accessory buildings; and (3) agricultural buildings; (4) those features of hazardous materials tanks, piping, and equipment inspected by other state or federal agencies on a regular schedule.

D. Section 105.6.15 is amended to read as follows:

LP-gas. A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to an LP-gas system. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be an alteration and does not require a permit.

Exception: Above-ground portable LP-gas cylinders not in excess of 25 gallons water capacity shall not require a permit.

E. Section 107.2 is amended to read as follows:

Fire Code Plan Review and Inspection Fees. Fees for fire code permits and plan reviews shall be set from time to time by resolution by the Board. Payment of the plan review fee is not contingent upon issuance of a permit, but is due upon the submittal of plans and documentation for the review process.

F. Section 107.4 is amended to read as follows:

A person who commences any work, activity or operation regulated by this code before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to double the established fee.

G. Section 111, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

H. Section 112, Violations, is not adopted.

I. Section 503.2 is amended to read as follows:

Section 503.2.4. Turning radius. The minimum turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be 28 feet inside, 50 feet outside radius.

Section 503.2.6 is amended as follows. Bridges and elevated surfaces. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be provided and maintained in accordance with locally adopted street, road, and access standards.

Section 503.2.7. Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed 15%.

Section 503.2.9 Construction. Unless otherwise required by public or private road design standards, fire apparatus access roads shall be constructed of a minimum of 6 inches of ballast (pit run) and 3 inches of crushed rock (1-1/ 4" minus). Roads in excess of 12% grade shall be paved.

J. Section 507.3 is amended to read as follows:

Exceptions:

1. Fire flow is not required for structures under 500 square feet with a B, U or R-1 occupancy where structures are at least 30 feet from any other structure and property lines and are used only for recreation.

K. Section 507.5.1 is amended to read as follows:

507.5.1 Required Installations. The location, number, and type of fire hydrants connected to a water supply capable of delivering the required fire flow shall be provided on the public street or on the site of the premises or both to be protected in accordance with this section. Fire hydrants shall be accessible to the fire department apparatus by roads meeting the requirements of Section 503.

507.5.1.1 Hydrants for fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. Buildings equipped with a fire sprinkler and/ or standpipe system installed in accordance with Chapter 9 shall have a fire hydrant within 100 feet (30 m) of the fire department connections. Exception: The distance shall be permitted to exceed 100 feet (30 m) where approved by the fire code official.

507.5.1.2 Number of Hydrants. The number of fire hydrants required shall be one fire hydrant for the first 1000 gallons and one hydrant for each subsequent 1000 gallons per minute of required fire flow or portion thereof.

507.5.1.3 Location of Fire Hydrants. The location of fire hydrants provided on public or private streets or on site premises shall be approved by the fire code official. Lateral spacing between hydrants shall be measured along approved fire apparatus access routes.

507.5.1.4 Plans. Detailed plans or drawings accurately indicating the location of water mains, valves and fire hydrants shall be submitted for approval prior to installation.

507.5.1.5 Spacing (other than R-3 and U). Fire hydrants serving buildings or portions of buildings or other premises, facilities or uses other than one and two family dwellings and Group U Occupancies shall have a maximum lateral spacing not to exceed 400 feet as a condition of building permit approval, land use review or change in use. Exception: where the building, facility or premises is protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system or other automatic fire suppression system as approved by the Fire Marshal, the spacing requirements may be modified if in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, or his designee, the level of fire protection is not reduced.

507.5.1.6 Spacing (R-3). Fire hydrants serving one or two family dwellings shall have a maximum lateral spacing of 700 feet with no lot or parcel in excess of 600 feet from a fire hydrant as a condition of approval for residential subdivision or short subdivision. Exception: where the buildings are protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system, the spacing requirements may be modified, if in the opinion of the Fire Marshal or his designee, the level of fire protection is not reduced.

507.5.1.7 Fire hydrant accessibility. All fire hydrants, public or private, must remain accessible for fire department use at all times.

507.5.1.8 Fire hydrant availability. On-site fire hydrants and water supplies on adjacent property shall not be considered available unless fire apparatus access roads, provided in accordance with Section 503, connect the properties and easements are established to prevent their obstruction.

507.5.1.9 Fire hydrants – arterial access. Fire hydrants located on the opposite side of roadways, defined as urban and rural arterials by the Cowlitz County Department of Public Works shall not be considered in the fire hydrant placement requirements, unless specifically approved by the applicable Fire Code Official or his designee.

507.5.1.10 Fire district approvals. Where variances are approved by fire code official, as outlined in this section, they shall be memorialized in writing.

507.5.1.11 Fire Hydrant Requirements. Fire hydrants shall conform to the following minimum standards:

1. All fire hydrants shall conform to American Water Works Association specifications for dry barrel fire hydrants. Each hydrant shall have at least two hose connections of 2-1/2" diameter each and one steamer port. All connections must have national standard threads or other connection devices consistent with local fire protection authority requirements.

2. Fire hydrants shall be installed plumb and be set to the finished grade. The bottom of the lowest outlet of the hydrant shall be no less than eighteen inches above the grade. There shall be thirty-six inches of clear area about the hydrant for operation of a hydrant wrench on the outlets and on the control valve. The steamer port shall face the most likely route of approach of the fire truck as determined by the local fire protection authority.

3. Provisions shall be made to drain fire hydrant barrels to below the depth of maximum frost penetration.

4. All hydrants and water mains shall otherwise be installed in accordance with recognized standards and sound engineering practices.

L. Section 5604.1.1 is amended to read as follows:

The storage of explosives and blasting agents in areas zoned pursuant to CCC 18.10, Land Use Ordinance, is permitted only on property designated as Heavy Manufacturing (MH).

Exception:

Notwithstanding Section 5604, the storage of explosives and blasting agents is permitted on a temporary basis in any land use area for use in connection with approved blasting operations. For the purpose of this section, temporary shall mean a length of time not to exceed one year. The Administrator may grant an extension of time provided the Department receives within sixty (60) days prior to the date of permit expiration a written statement from the permittee indicating the reason(s) such extension is requested.

M. Section 5703.1.1 is amended to add:

The storage of Class I and Class II liquids in above-ground tanks outside of buildings on property zoned pursuant to CCC 18.10, Land Use Ordinance, is permitted only on property designated as Light Manufacturing (ML), or Heavy Manufacturing (MH).

N. Section 6104.2 is amended to read as follows:

The bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in areas zoned pursuant to CCC 18.10, Land Use Ordinance, is permitted only on property zoned as Neighborhood Commercial (C-1), Urban Commercial (C-2), Light Manufacturing (ML), or Heavy Manufacturing (MH).

The aggregate capacity of any one installation of LPG storage in zoned areas shall not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity; except that in particular installations, this capacity limit may be altered at the discretion of the fire marshal, after consideration of special features such as topographical conditions, nature of occupancy and proximity to buildings, capacity of proposed tanks, degree of private fire protection to be provided, and facilities of the local Fire Department.

O. Appendix B, Section B105 is amended to read as follows:

B105.1 One-and two-family dwellings, Group R-3, and townhouses. The minimum fire flow requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3, and townhouses shall be as specified in Tables B105.1(1) and, where required, B105.1(2).

B105.1.1 For purposes of establishing fire flow calculation area for one-and two-family dwellings, Group R-3, and townhouses, decks and porches shall not be included in the building area when they meet all of the following criteria:

B105.1.1.a Enclosed on a maximum of two sides with the area of open sides being equal or greater to the closed sides.

B105.1.2 Wildland Urban Interface. Those areas identified as having extreme risk of hazard according to the National Hazard and Risk Model (No-HARM) developed for Cowlitz County by Anchor Point, as well as those outside a fire district, shall not be less than that specified in B105.1(2).

B105.1.3 Methods of Achieving Required Flows. Fire flow requirements may be satisfied or reduced according to Table B105.1(3). Where fire flow is not provided in the full amount by a public or approved private water supply or NFPA 1142 system the setback between property lines and all buildings shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet.

All areas of Cowlitz County shall be identified with a risk category relative to other areas of Cowlitz County. These risk categories will be established according to the National Hazard and Risk Model (No-HARM) developed for Cowlitz County by Anchor Point, LLC, dated July 1, 2016. Categories shall be "Non-Rated" or "Low", "Moderate" or "Medium", "High" and "Very High" or "Extreme." Risk categories are established for the purpose of providing voluntary options to meet Fire Flow requirements found in Table B105.1(1) and B105.2.

B105.1.4 Automatic Sprinkler System. When located outside a fire district, an automatic sprinkler system per Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, or 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code shall be provided.

B105.2 Buildings other than one-and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 buildings and townhouses. The minimum fire-flow for buildings other than one- and two- family dwellings, Group R-3, and townhouses shall be as specified in Tables B105.2 and B105.1(2).

B105.2.1 Buildings with a building area of 3,600 square feet or less, other than Occupancy Groups E, Fl, H and Sl and buildings for which sprinklers are required and not used for other reasons may use Table B105.1(3) to provide minimum fire flow.

TABLE B105.1(1)
REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3,
AND TOWNHOUSES
FIRE-FLOW CALCULATION AREA (square feet)	AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM (Design Standard)	MINIMUM FIRE-FLOW (gallons per minute)	FLOW DURATION (hours)
0-3,600	No automatic sprinkler system	1,000	1
3,601 and greater	No automatic sprinkler system	Value in Table B105.1(2)	Duration in Table B105.1(2) at the required fire-flow rate
0-3,600	Section 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code	500	1/2
3,601 and greater	Section 903.3.1.3 of the International Fire Code or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code	1/2 value in Table B105.1(2)	1

TABLE B105.1(2)
REFERENCE TABLE FOR TABLES B105.1(1) AND B105.2
FIRE-FLOW CALCULATION AREA (square feet)					FIRE-FLOW (gallons per minute)b	FLOW DURATION (hours)
Type IA and IBa	Type IIA and IIIAa	Type IV and V-Aa	Type IIB and IIIBa	Type V-Ba	FIRE-FLOW (gallons per minute)b	FLOW DURATION (hours)
0-22,700	0-12,700	0-8,200	0-5,900	0-3,600	1,500	2
22,701-30,200	12,701-17,000	8,201-10,900	5,901-7,900	3,601-4,800	1,750
30,201-38,700	17,001-21,800	10,901-12,900	7,901-9,800	4,801-6,200	2,000
38,701-48,300	21,801-24,200	12,901-17,400	9,801-12,600	6,201-7,700	2,250
48,301-59,000	24,201-33,200	17,401-21,300	12,601-15,400	7,701-9,400	2,500
59,000-70,900	33,201-39,700	21,301-25,500	15,401-18,400	9,401-11,300	2,750
70,901-83,700	39,701-47,100	25,501-30,100	18,401-21,800	11,301-13,400	3,000	3
83,701-97,700	47,101-54,900	30,101-35,200	21,801-25,900	13,401-15,600	3,250
97,701-112,700	54,901-63,400	35,201-40,600	25,901-29,300	15,601-18,000	3,500
112,701-128,700	63,401-72,400	40,601-46,400	29,301-33,500	18,001-20,600	3,750
128,701-145,900	72,401-82,100	46,401-52,500	33,501-37,900	20,601-23,300	4,000	4
145,901-164,200	82,101-92,400	52,501-59,100	37,901-42,700	23,301-26,300	4,250
164,201-183,400	92,401-103,100	59,101-66,000	42,701-47,700	26,301-29,300	4,500
183,401-203,700	103,101-114,600	66,001-73,300	47,701-53,000	29,301-32,600	4,750
203,701-225,200	114,601-126,700	73,301-81,100	53,001-58,600	32,601-36,000	5,000
225,201-247,700	126,701-139,400	81,101-89,200	58,601-65,400	36,001-39,600	5,250
247,701-271,200	139,401-152,600	89,201-97,700	65,401-70,600	39,601-43,400	5,500
271,201-295,900	152,601-166,500	97,701-106,500	70,601-77,000	43,401-47,400	5,750
295,901-Greater	166,501-Greater	106,501-115,800	77,001-83,700	47,401-51,500	6,000
_	_	115,801-125,500	83,701-90,600	51,501-55,700	6,250
_	_	125,501-135,500	90,601-97,900	55,701-60,200	6,500
_	_	135,501-145,800	97,901-106,800	60,201-64,800	6,750
_	_	145,801-156,700	106,801-113,200	64,801-69,600	7,000
_	_	156,701-167,900	113,201-121,300	69,601-74,600	7,250
_	_	167,901-179,400	121,301-129,600	74,601-79,800	7,500
_	_	179,401-191,400	129,601-138,300	79,801-85,100	7,750
_	_	191,400-Greater	138,301-Greater	85,101-Greater	8,000

For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 pound per square inch = 6.895 kPa.

a. Types of construction are based on the International Building Code.

b. Measured at 20 psi residual pressure.

TABLE B105.1(3)
	Method	Credit/Reduction
1	Availability or extension of an existing public water system capable of supplying at least 100 gpm for 30 minutes.	Quantity actually supplied.
2	In areas within Fire District but without adequate and reliable water supply, provision of NFPA 1142 dry hydrant.	100% credit up to 2,750 gallon per minute
3	Lot greater than one acre with minimum 20 foot setbacks provided to all property lines and from structure(s). Shall not be used in combination with methods provided from the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) Options 5, 6 or 7.	500 gallon per minute fire flow credit
4	Structure located within a Fire District and within 5 road miles of a staffed fire stationa and access provided pursuant to IFC Sec 503 or Sec 403 of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.	500 gallon per minute fire flow credit
5	Provision of Defensible Space per site Wildland-Urban Interface Area classification (IWUIC). Minimum 30 ft.	500 gallon per minute fire flow credit
6	Provision of additional Defensible Space per Wildland-Urban Interface Area classification. (IWUIC). Minimum 50 ft.	250 gallon per minute fire flow credit
7	Provision of additional Defensible Space per Wildland-Urban Interface Area classification. (IWUIC). Minimum 100 ft.	250 gallon per minute fire flow credit
8	Access provided per Section 403 Wildland-Urban Interface Code. (IWUIC).	250 gallon per minute fire flow credit
9	Where required by Code, provision of spark arrestors per Section 605 of the Wildland-Urban Interface Code. (IWUIC)	250 gallon per minute fire flow credit

	Choice of one of the following:
10	Class 3 Ignition-Resistant Construction per Section 506 Wildland-Urban Interface Code	500 gallon per minute fire flow credit
11	Class 2 Ignition-Resistant Construction per Section 505 Wildland-Urban Interface Code	750 gallon per minute fire flow credit
12	Class 1 Ignition-Resistant Construction per Section 504 Wildland-Urban Interface Code	1,000 gallon per minute fire flow credit

a. Staffed Fire Station shall be defined as a fire station which serves an authorized fire protection district and is provided with full-time employee staff 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

TABLE B105.2
REQUIRED FIRE-FLOW FOR BUILDINGS OTHER THAN ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS, GROUP R-3, AND TOWNHOUSES
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM (Design Standard)	MINIMUM FIRE FLOW (gallons per minute)	FLOW DURATION (hours)
No automatic sprinkler system	Value in Table B105.1(2)	Duration in Table B105.1(2)
Section 903.3.1.1 of the International Fire Code	25% of the value in Table B105.1(2)a	Duration in Table B105.1(2) at the reduced flow rate
Section 903.3.1.2 of the International Fire Code	25% of the value in Table 105.1(2)b	Duration in Table B105.1(2) at the reduced flow rate

FOR SI: 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m

a. The reduced fire-flow shall not be less than 1,000 gallons per minute

b. The reduced fire-flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallons per minute

B105.4 Water Mains. When subdivision occurs within a recognized urban growth boundary water mains shall be extended to and throughout the development site for the purposes of supplying the required fire flow.

B105.4.1 Fire Hydrants on Water Mains. When water mains are present on an existing public water system capable of supplying all or a portion of the required fire flow (at minimum 100 gpm for 30 minutes), fire hydrants shall be installed along the project frontage in accordance with Section 507.5.

P. Appendix D, Section D103.2 is amended to read as follows:

Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 15 percent in grade. Roads in excess of 12 percent grade shall be paved.

Q. Appendix D, Section D103.3 is amended to read as follows:

The minimum turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be 28 feet inside, 50 feet outside radius.

R. Appendix D, Section D107 is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 5, 3-5-24.]

16.05.090 Wildland-urban interface code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, as published by the International Code Council and as now or hereafter adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Section 102.6 shall be revised as follows:

B. Section 103, Code Compliance Agency, is not adopted.

C. Section 106.3, Work exempt from permit, is revised as follows:

1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (200 square feet if accessory to a one and two-family dwelling).

2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134mm) high.

D. Section 110.2, Enforcement, is not adopted.

E. Section 113, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

F. Chapter 2, Definitions. The following terms shall be revised to read as follows:

"DRIVEWAY". A vehicular ingress and egress route that serves no more than two buildings or structures, not including accessory structures, or more than two dwelling units or parcels.

"FIRE PROTECTION PLAN". A document prepared by a NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist or Washington State Registered Fire Protection Engineer for a specific project or development. It describes ways to minimize and mitigate the fire problems created by the project or development with the purpose of reducing impact on the community’s fire protection delivery system.

G. Subsection 302.1 is amended to read as follows:

Wildland-urban interface area designations are permitted to be established in accordance with this section.

Declaration. All areas of Cowlitz County shall be identified with a risk category relative to other areas of Cowlitz County. These risk categories will be established according to the National Hazard and Risk Model (No-HARM) developed for Cowlitz County by Anchor Point, LLC, dated July 1, 2016. Categories shall be "Non-Rated" or "Low", "Moderate" or "Medium", "High" and "Very High" or "Extreme." Risk categories are established for the purpose of providing voluntary options to meet Fire Flow requirements found in Table B105.1(1) and B105.2 found in Fire Code Appendix B.

H. Section 401 is not adopted.

I. Section 402.2.1, Access, is amended to read as follows:

Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within the wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with driveways in accordance with locally adopted standards. Marking of fire protection equipment shall be provided in accordance with Section 403.5 and address markers shall be provided in accordance with Section 403.6.

J. Section 403.2 is amended to read as follows:

Driveways shall be provided in accordance with locally adopted standards.

K. Section 403.2.6 is amended to read as follows:

Bridges serving private roads and driveways shall be provided in accordance with locally adopted standards.

L. Section 403.3 is amended to read as follows:

403.3 Fire apparatus access road. Where required, fire apparatus access roads shall be all-weather roads with a minimum width of 20 feet and a clear height of 13 feet 6 inches; shall be designed to accommodate the load for fire apparatus; and shall have an inside turning radii of not less than 28 feet and outside turning radii of not less than 50 feet. Dead-end roads in excess of 150 feet shall be provided with turnarounds as approved by the code official. Unless otherwise required by public or private road design standards, fire apparatus access roads shall be constructed of a minimum 6 inches of ballast (pit run) and 3 inches of crushed rock. Roads in excess of 12 % grade shall be paved.

M. Section 403.6.1 is amended to read as follows:

Signs along one-way roads shall be provided in accordance with locally adopted standards.

N. Section 403.7 is amended to read as follows:

403.7 Grade. The gradient for fire apparatus roads shall not exceed 15%.

O. A new section, Section 405.5 is added as follows:

405.5 Permitting. When required by the code official, the fire protection plan shall be submitted for review and approval as part of the plans required for permit. The permit shall be conditioned for conformance with the approved fire protection plan.

P. A new section, Section 604.5 is added as follows:

604.5 Covenant. When defensible space is provided as a means of achieving fire flow, the owner shall record a covenant with the Cowlitz County Auditor’s Office on the form provided by the code official indicating continued responsibility for maintenance of defensible space so long as the condition requiring fire flow exists.

Q. A new section, Section 604.6 is added as follows:

604.6 Certification. Property owner shall submit certification of maintenance of defensible space to the code official annually on the form provided. The County may inspect defensible space on a regular basis.

R. Appendices A, B, C and I are not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 6, 3-5-24.]

16.05.100 Mechanical code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Mechanical Code, as published by the International Code Council and as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Section 103, Code Compliance Agency, is not adopted.

B. Section 109.2 is amended to read as follows:

Permit Fees. Fees for mechanical permits shall be as established from time to time by resolution by the Board.

Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted by 106.3.1 a plan review fee shall be paid. Payment of a plan review fee is not contingent upon issuance of a permit; but, is due upon submittal of an application for a plan review. The plan review fee for mechanical work shall be as established from time to time by resolution by the Board. When plans are incomplete or changed so as to require additional review, an additional plan review fee shall be paid.

C. Section 113, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

D. Section 114, Board of Appeals, is not adopted.

E. Section 115, Violations, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 7, 3-5-24.]

16.05.110 Plumbing code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and U.P.C. standards, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. The following portions of the Uniform Plumbing Code are deleted, of Chapters 12 and 14, and those requirements relating to venting and combustion air of fuel fired appliances as found in Chapter 5. Those portions of the code dealing with building sewers are included as part of this code.

B. Only the following appendices of the Uniform Plumbing Code are adopted: Appendix A.

C. Section 103.1 shall be revised as follows:

The code official shall be appointed by the chief appointing authority of the jurisdiction.

The code official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. The code official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code.

In accordance with the prescribed procedures of this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the code official shall have the authority to appoint a deputy code official, other related technical officers, inspectors and other employees. Such employees shall have powers as delegated by the code official.

The code official shall be permitted to request the assistance and cooperation of the other officials of this jurisdiction so far as required in the discharge of the duties in accordance with this code or other pertinent law or ordinance.

D. Section 104.3.2 is revised to read as follows:

Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted by 104.3.1, a plan review fee shall be paid. Payment of a plan review fee is not contingent upon issuance of a permit; but, is due upon submittal of an application for plan review. The plan review fee for plumbing work shall be as established from time to time by resolution by the Board. When plans are incomplete or changed so as to require additional review, an additional plan review fee shall be paid.

E. Section 104.5.3, Fee Refunds, is amended to read as follows: “The code official is authorized to establish a refund policy.”

F. Section 105.2.6 Reinspections.

A reinspection fee shall be permitted to be assessed for each inspection or reinspection where such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or where required corrections have not been made.

This provision shall not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to be in accordance with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for inspection or reinspection.

Reinspection fees shall be permitted to be assessed where the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

G. Section 106.0, Violations and Penalties, is amended to read as follows:

Sections 106.2, 106.3 and 106.6 are not adopted.

H. Section 107.0, Board of Appeals, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 8, 3-5-24.]

16.05.120 Fuel gas code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code, as published by the International Code Council and as now or hereafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and with the following additions, deletions, and exceptions:

A. Section 103, Code Compliance Agency, is not adopted.

B. Section 109.2 is amended to read as follows:

Permit Fees. Fees for fuel gas permits shall be as established from time to time by resolution by the Board.

Plan Review Fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted by 106.3.1 a plan review fee shall be paid. Payment of a plan review fee is not contingent upon issuance of a permit; but, is due upon submittal of an application for a plan review. The plan review fee for fuel gas work shall be as established from time to time by resolution by the Board. When plans are incomplete or changed so as to require additional review, an additional plan review fee shall be paid.

C. Section 113, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

D. Section 114, Board of Appeals, is not adopted.

E. Section 115, Violations, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 9, 3-5-24.]

16.05.130 Abatement of dangerous buildings.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 1997 edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials and as now or hereafter amended.

A. Section 205, Board of Appeals, is not adopted.

B. Chapter 5, Appeal, is not adopted.

C. Chapter 6, Procedures for Conduct of Hearing Appeals, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 10, 3-5-24.]

16.05.140 Washington State Energy Code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the Washington State Energy Code as now and hereafter adopted and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council.

A. Section C110, Board of Appeals, is not adopted.

B. Section R110, Board of Appeals, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 11, 3-5-24.]

16.05.150 Existing building code.

Cowlitz County hereby adopts by reference the 2021 edition of the International Existing Building Code as now and hereafter adopted and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council.

A. Section 103, Code Compliance Agency, is not adopted.

B. Section 105.2 is amended as follows:

Building:

7. Construction as described below when undertaken by a firm or industry that, as determined by the building official, employs both a permanent, full time, on-site, engineering staff with at least one engineer registered in the state of Washington, and a permanent, full time, on-site, maintenance staff that is trained at least to the journeyman level or equivalent for the type of work performed, and the work will be performed by that maintenance staff. Any work performed by a contractor or other person not directly employed by a firm or industry as described above, will be required to obtain all required permits prior to the commencement of work, unless the work is exempt from permit requirements by other provisions of this code.

a. Repairs, maintenance, re-roofing, or minor alterations to existing buildings that do not affect structural supports, egress, fire rated construction, or fire protection.

Electrical: this subsection is not adopted

C. Section 112, Means of Appeals, is not adopted.

D. Section 113, Violations, is not adopted.

E. Section 116.3, Closing Streets, is not adopted.

F. Section 116.6, Hearing, is not adopted. [Ord. 24-020 § 12, 3-5-24.]

16.05.160 Permits.

All permits under any code adopted by the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be obtained from the Department. Permits shall be applied for on forms provided by the Department. All permits issued by the Department prior to the effective date of this ordinance shall be effective provided construction begins within 180 days of permit issuance, and work proceeds through completion without expiration of the permit. [Ord. 24-020 § 13, 3-5-24.]

16.05.170 Administration and enforcement.

The Department of Building and Planning shall administer all codes adopted by this chapter. Further, the Director may refer violations of the codes described herein to the Prosecuting Attorney for appropriate action. [Ord. 12-078, § 17, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 17, 7-3-07.]

16.05.180 Appeals.

The orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretations of this code may be appealed to the Cowlitz County Hearing Examiner. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner shall be processed in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter 2.05 CCC and CCC 18.10.370 to 18.10.395. Appeals shall be filed with the Department not later than 20 days after the issuance of the decision being appealed. Appeals shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $1,000, payable to Cowlitz County Department of Building and Planning. [Ord. 24-020 § 14, 3-5-24.]

16.05.190 Violation.

It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, occupy, conduct any activity within, operate, or maintain any building, structure, facility or vehicle within the unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County or cause the same to be done contrary to, or in violation of, any of the provisions of this chapter or any code adopted hereby. [Ord. 12-078, § 19, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 19, 7-3-07.]

16.05.200 Penalties.

Any violation of any provision of this chapter or any code adopted hereby is a civil infraction, and shall be processed under the provisions of Chapter 2.06 CCC. Every day a violation continues is considered a separate infraction. A conviction and/or payment of monetary penalty does not relieve the violator from compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The penalty provisions of this chapter supersede all penalty provisions in the codes adopted herein. [Ord. 12-078, § 20, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 20, 7-3-07.]

16.05.210 Nuisance.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or of any code adopted hereby is declared to be a public nuisance. [Ord. 12-078, § 21, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 21, 7-3-07.]

16.05.220 Liability for damages.

This chapter shall not be construed to hold the County of Cowlitz, or any officer or employee thereof, responsible for any damages to persons or property by reason of the certification, inspection or noninspection of any building, equipment or property as herein authorized. [Ord. 12-078, § 22, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 22, 7-3-07.]

16.05.230 Severability.

Should any section, clause or provision of this chapter or any code adopted hereby be declared by a court to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the remainder, either in whole or in part. [Ord. 12-078, § 23, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 23, 7-3-07.]

16.05.240 Conflict with other regulations.

Where other Cowlitz County ordinances, resolutions, or regulations are in conflict with this chapter, the more restrictive regulation shall apply and such application shall extend to those specific provisions which are more restrictive. [Ord. 12-078, § 24, 5-22-12; Ord. 07-085, § 24, 7-3-07.]