Chapter 20.15
BUILDING PERMIT
Sections
20.15.010 Building permit fee.
20.15.020 Building permit base fees.
20.15.030 Plan review and inspection fees.
20.15.040 Structural-mechanical review and inspection fees.
20.15.050 Fire protection plan review and inspection fees.
20.15.060 Site development fees, including commercial site development fees.
20.15.070 Site development – Construction inspection.
20.15.080 Building permit general fees.
20.15.090 Preapplication fees.
20.15.010 Building permit fee.
Fees shall be collected to compensate the department for the investigation, permit administration, plan review and inspection of building permit applications pursuant to the provisions of KMC Titles 15 and 18. Building permit fees shall be composed of five main elements: preapplication fees, base fees, plan review fees, inspection fees, and site development plan fees.
A. Preapplication Fees. Preapplication fees shall compensate the department for preliminary review and evaluation of large commercial and multifamily projects and for advising the permit applicant prior to the submittal of a formal application for a building permit. Preapplication fees shall be collected at the time preapplication review services are rendered.
B. Base Fees. Base fees shall compensate the department for preliminary application screening, and the establishment and administration of the permit application file. Base fees shall be distinguished by group occupancy to reflect file administration complexity. Base fees shall be collected at the time of permit application or, in the case of plan revisions submitted prior to permit issuance, at the time of each revision submittal.
C. Plan Review Fees. Plan review fees shall compensate the department for the plan review necessary to determine compliance with the adopted uniform codes and other City regulations. Plan review fees shall be based on either the gross area of the proposed structure or, when determined applicable by the director, on the value of the structure, together with any “per item” or “per occurrence” fees for mechanical or fire protection plan review. Prior to issuance of the permit, the permit applicant shall pay any residual charges assessed for special reviews.
D. Inspection Fees. Inspection fees shall compensate the department for inspections necessary to determine compliance with the adopted uniform codes, other City regulations, and the approved plan. Inspection fees shall be based on the same method and components used to calculate plan review fees, and consist of the remaining portion of said fees after subtracting the plan review fees.
E. Site Development Plan Fees. Site development plan fees shall include commercial site development review and shall compensate the department for field investigation, plan review and post-approval inspection of the nonstructure portions of the building permit application, including review related to traffic, circulation, parking, drainage, landscaping and site plans. Site development plan fees for preliminary field investigation and plan review shall be collected at the time of permit application. Fees to cover post-approval inspections shall be collected at the time of the permit issuance and, if applicable, at 12-month intervals thereafter. The first year inspection fees shall be based on the City’s estimate of construction cost (as presented in bond quantities worksheet). Initial fees shall be based upon the construction bond amount (i.e., bond quantities worksheet amount), or if no bond is required, upon the City’s estimate of construction cost. Annual construction inspection fees shall be charged an hourly rate for the inspection of facilities after the first 12 months’ plan approval until final construction approval. Site development plan fees shall not be assessed against applications for group R-3 or M occupancies, where site related review is covered by the base, plan review and inspection fees. In no case shall site development fees related to residential drainage requirement review exceed the fee for the underlying permit. There shall be no inspection of a site without a valid building permit.
F. General Building Permit Fee Provisions. General building permit fees shall compensate the department for reviews and inspections associated with changes in use or occupancy, mobile homes, oversized buildings, condominium conversions, special plan reviews, preinspections, demolitions, billboard alterations or relocations, supplemental inspections, reinspections, certification of permit completion, Section 309s, priority reviews, and radon measurement testing. General fee provisions also address allowances for residential and commercial discounts, and fee permit extensions. The following general provisions shall apply to permit/review fees authorized by this chapter:
1. Work without a Permit. Whenever any work for which a building permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, or has proceeded without obtaining necessary inspections; an investigation fee, in addition to the building permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the building permit required by this section. For the purposes of this section the building permit fee shall include base, plan review, and inspection fees.
2. Revisions. Revisions submitted either prior or subsequent to permit issuance shall be charged an additional base fee to cover file updating plus any special plan review hourly fees deemed necessary to determine compliance with regulations and standards.
3. Extensions. Expiring building permits may be extended as set forth in Chapter 15.20 KMC upon payment of a permit extension fee at the rate in effect at the time of extension. Extension fees may be distinguished by both the group occupancy involved and the amount of review and inspection yet to be completed on the permit.
4. Residential and Commercial Permit Discounts. Residential permit fee discounts will be allowed for all group R-1, R-3 and M occupancies involving basic or repetitive residential plans, factory built housing, relocated residences with minimum repairs, and relocated residences with extensive repairs. Commercial permit fee discounts will be allowed for commercial coaches, portable schools, and relocated commercial buildings, and occupancies involving repetitive commercial plans.
5. General Research. An hourly general research fee shall be charged for all special research performed outside the context of pending application review. Such fees will be paid by the party requesting the special research or investigation.
6. Fees for typical inspection services, including but not limited to fire/flood damage, minimum housing, code compliance, billboard alteration or relocation site inspection, relocation of structures, demolition, reinspection and supplemental inspections shall be collected in addition to any typical structural or site development inspection fees and shall be paid at the time of occurrence. Separate permit review fees for mobile homes, condominium conversions and change of use or occupancy shall be added to the base fees set forth in this section and shall be collected at the time of application submittal.
7. Special Review Fees. In addition to the building permit fees set forth in this section, fees contained in Chapters 20.15 through 20.45 KMC may be applicable to individual building permit applications. Such fees include, but are not limited to, shoreline management, SEPA, right-of-way use, grading, or critical areas review fees.
8. Radon Measurement Devices and Testing Fee. An additional “per device” fee shall be charged for radon measurement devices and testing. Fees to cover the provision of radon measurement devices and testing shall be collected at the time of permit issuance and shall be charged at the rate in effect at the time of permit application; provided, that for permits issued prior to July 13, 1992, the fees shall be collected at the time of final inspection and shall be charged at the rate set forth in this chapter; and provided further, that for permit applications received prior to July 13, 1992, for which no permit is issued prior to July 13, 1992, the fees shall be collected at the time of permit issuance and shall be charged at the rate set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.010).]
20.15.020 Building permit base fees.
Building permit base fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution based on use or occupancy group. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.020).]
20.15.030 Plan review and inspection fees.
Plan review and inspection fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution based on:
A. Total valuation;
B. Gross area. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.030, 27.08.040).]
20.15.040 Structural-mechanical review and inspection fees.
The city council shall adopt the following fees by resolution:
A. Installation or relocation of each forced air or gravity-type furnace or burner, including ducts and vents attached to such appliance.
B. Installation or relocation of each heat pump with auxiliary heating (single or split system), including ductwork, or air conditioner with heating, including ductwork.
C. Installation or relocation of each air conditioner without heating, including ductwork.
D. Installation or relocation of each gas, oil or electric suspended heater, recessed wall heater or floor-mounted space heater, wall furnace, circulating heater.
E. Installation, relocation, or replacement of each solid fuel burning appliance or fireplace permit.
F. Repair, or alteration of, or addition to, each heating appliance, refrigeration unit, comfort cooling unit, absorption unit, or each comfort heating, cooling, absorption, or evaporative cooling system.
G. Installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor. (Additional permits for all commercial boiler and compressor installations shall be obtained from the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries.)
H. Each air handling unit.
I. Installation or relocation of each evaporative cooler other than portable type.
J. Installation or relocation of each ventilation fan connected to:
1. A single duct (except group R-1 and R-3 occupancies).
2. Multiple inlets.
K. Installation or relocation of each hood which is served by mechanical exhaust, including the ducts for such hood (except group R-1 and R-3 occupancies).
L. Installation or relocation of each commercial or industrial type incinerator.
M. Installation or relation of each product-conveying ventilation system (Ref: Chapter 11, UMC), including collection/filter device, exhaust fan and ductwork.
N. Each appliance or piece of equipment or other work regulated by the Uniform Mechanical Code for which no other fee is listed in this section. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.050).]
20.15.050 Fire protection plan review and inspection fees.
The following fire protection plan review and inspection fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution:
A. Fire Alarm Systems.
1. One to four zones.
2. Each additional zone.
3. Each addressable panel.
4. Plus for each device.
B. Fire extinguishing systems (plus for each nozzle).
C. Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
1. Commercial – each riser (plus for each head or plug).
2. Residential – each riser (plus for each head or plug).
D. Standpipe Systems.
1. Class I.
2. Class II.
3. Class III.
4. Each outlet for Class I or II.
5. Fire pump.
E. Flammable/Combustible Liquids Storage Tanks.
1. Underground, first tank (plus for each additional tank).
2. Above-ground, each tank.
F. Hazardous Materials Storage Tanks.
1. Less than 500 gallons.
2. Five hundred to 1,199 gallons.
3. One thousand, two hundred gallons or more.
G. Liquefied Petroleum Tanks.
1. Less than 500 gallons.
2. Five hundred to 9,999 gallons.
3. Ten thousand gallons or more.
H. Gaseous Oxygen Systems.
1. Less than 6,000 cubic feet.
2. Six thousand to 11,999 cubic feet.
3. Twelve thousand cubic feet or more.
I. Nitrous oxide systems (plus each outlet).
J. Medical Gas Systems.
1. Gaseous system (plus each outlet).
2. Liquefied system (plus each outlet).
K. Hazardous Material Recycling Systems.
1. One hundred ten gallons or less per day capacity.
2. More than 110 gallons per day capacity.
L. Vapor Recovery Systems (Per Tank).
1. Phase I – tank truck and tank.
2. Phase II – vehicle fueled and tank.
M. Cryogenic tanks (each).
N. Flammable Liquid Devices.
1. Spray booths – updraft (each).
2. Dip tank (each).
3. Spray booths – downdraft (each).
4. Flow coaters (each).
5. Mixing/handling room.
O. Fiberglass Work Systems.
1. Spray or chopper booth.
2. Lay-up areas.
P. Organic peroxide storage facility.
Q. Explosives Storage Magazines.
1. Class I.
2. Class II.
R. Compressed natural gas systems (each).
S. Liquefied natural gas systems.
T. High piled storage racks.
U. Smoke removal systems.
V. High rise emergency evacuation plans.
W. Commercial candle-holding devices.
X. Computer rooms.
Y. Floor or layout plans required by the fire code for public assembly, special sales, outdoor storage of flammable liquids in drums or indoor storage of combustibles.
Z. Fire clearances when requested of the fire marshal including but not limited to the following:
1. State funding of school projects.
2. State or federal school, hospital, nursing home, rehabilitative facilities, or custodial facilities accreditation.
3. State licensing of mini-day care, day care, foster home, boarding home.
4. State liquor license.
5. State gambling license.
6. Special out of occupancy uses.
7. City house moving permits.
8. Fire clearance for City business license.
AA. Approval of carpet samples or decorative materials.
BB. Special inspections for occupancy determinations or change of use requirements.
CC. Requested preliminary inspections.
DD. Each retest or reinspection of a fire protection or hazardous materials system prior to acceptance of the system, issuance of a permit, or issuance of a certificate of occupancy (the first test or inspection will be made without charge).
EE. Witnessing tests of used underground flammable liquids storage tanks prior to installation.
FF. Investigating and processing leaking underground storage tanks or hazardous materials spills, and the subsequent containment and recovery of lost product (per hour).
GG. Underground piping to flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks.
HH. Removal or Abandonment of Commercial Underground Flammable or Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks.
1. First tank.
2. Each additional tank.
II. Witnessing tests of underground flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks for tank tightness.
JJ. Conducting fire flows tests or analysis.
KK. Fuel Tanks for Oil Burning Equipment.
1. Commercial.
2. Residential.
LL. Monitoring transmitters (plus each device).
MM. Sprinkler system supply mains (public main to sprinkler riser – each).
NN. Emergency or standby power systems.
OO. Plan review of construction fire protection system.
PP. Confidence testing of fire protection system.
QQ. High rise fire system review. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.060).]
20.15.060 Site development fees, including commercial site development fees.
The following site development fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution:
A. Parking.
1. New or additional spaces.
2. Alterations, change in use or increased area, with no additional spaces.
B. P-Suffix, M-P, and Other Required Site Plan Reviews.
1. Initial plan review.
2. Each additional review for compliance, including signs and tenant improvements.
C. Mobile home park and RV park plan review.
D. Landscape Plan Review.
1. Initial plan review.
2. Each plan revision review.
3. Request for modification requiring public notice.
E. Drainage and Circulation Review Fees.
1. Commercial drainage plan review.
2. Commercial traffic and circulation review.
a. On-site review only – no right-of-way improvements.
b. On-site and right-of-way improvements review.
c. Review for compliance with SEPA conditions.
3. Drainage plan only (agricultural).
4. Residential drainage requirement review – base fee.
a. Small site drainage review.
b. Targeted drainage reviews – per hour.
c. Full drainage review:
(1) Simple review.
(2) Complex review.
5. Revisions, resubmittals and research necessary for any site-specific requirements, after one.
F. Fire Protection Plan Review.
1. a. Fire pump systems which are installed to meet provisions of Chapter 15.15 KMC.
b. Fee per hydrant.
2. Calculation of required fire flow or review or fire apparatus access roads for the following:
a. Commercial buildings.
b. Single-family residential buildings.
c. Short subdivisions – residential.
d. Short subdivisions – commercial.
e. Other development applications (including lot line adjustments).
3. a. Review of water main extension.
b. Fee per hydrant.
4. Inspection of Residential Sprinkler Systems.
a. Per riser.
b. Plus per head.
5. Inspection of Commercial Fire Sprinkler Systems.
a. Per riser.
b. Plus per head. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.070).]
20.15.070 Site development – Construction inspection.
The following site development construction inspection fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution:
A. Construction inspection fee, per bond quantity worksheet amount.
B. Annual inspection, per hour.
C. Maintenance bond inspection.
D. Landscape installation inspection.
E. Landscape maintenance bond release inspection. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.080).]
20.15.080 Building permit general fees.
The following building permit general fees shall be imposed by the City by resolution:
A. Change in use or occupancy fee.
B. Mobile Homes.
1. Mobile home permit.
2. Temporary mobile home permit.
3. Temporary mobile home for hardship.
4. Noninsignia mobile home inspection.
C. Special review of oversized buildings.
D. Condominium Conversion Review Fee.
1. Project fee.
2. Per unit fee.
E. Special plan review, per hour.
F. Preinspection Fees.
1. Fire or flood damage.
2. Minimum housing or other code compliance.
3. Relocation of structures.
G. Demolition inspection fee.
H. Billboard alteration or relocation site review.
I. Supplemental Inspection Fee.
1. Hourly rate including travel time.
2. Plus rate per mile.
J. Reinspection Fee.
1. R-3 and M occupancy.
2. All other occupancies.
K. Certification of Permit Completion.
1. Temporary occupancy certificate, per building or tenant space.
2. Final occupancy certification when more than one building per permit, each additional building.
3. Final occupancy certification for individual condominiums or other portions of buildings, per unit.
4. Letter of completion for shell construction permits when more than one building per permit, each additional building.
L. Allowable residential and commercial discounts are granted for the permit categories listed below based on the whole permit amount calculated from the gross area and/or valuation tables.
1. Registered Plans and Basic Permits.
a. Registered plans for single-family, multifamily, and commercial plans.
b. Additional registered plans as variations to approved registered plans for single-family, multifamily and commercial plans.
c. Additional certified site copies, each.
d. Basic or repetitive residential or commercial permit.
2. Factory-built housing.
3. Relocated residence with minimum repairs.
4. Relocated residence with extensive repairs.
5. Commercial coaches, portable schools, and relocated commercial buildings.
M. Extension Fee.
1. Extensions for Final Inspection Only.
a. R-3 and M occupancy.
b. All other permits.
2. All Other Extensions.
a. R-3 and M occupancy.
b. Extension of temporary mobile home.
c. Extension of temporary hardship mobile home.
d. All other permits.
N. Section 309 Fee.
1. Base.
2. Hourly review and/or inspection.
O. Priority review by the special projects review unit.
P. Radon measurement devices and testing fee (per device). [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.090).]
20.15.090 Preapplication fees.
A preapplication fee shall be charged for all professional time spent by department personnel based on an applicant’s request for service, per hour, imposed by the city council by resolution. [Ord. 02-0139 § 1; Ord. 01-0127 § 1; Ord. 99-0058 § 1; Ord. 98-0020 § 1 (KCC 27.08.100).]