Chapter 3.45
HOUSING FIRE RETROFIT GRANT PROGRAM
Sections:
3.45.010 Established – Purpose.
3.45.030 Application review criteria.
3.45.040 Application approval process.
3.45.050 Approved applications.
3.45.060 Authority to waive or reduce permit fees.
3.45.010 Established – Purpose.
The city desires to assist in the preservation and fire protection of owner-occupied single-family housing or accessory dwelling units for persons of low income, consistent with RCW 35.21.685. “Low income” under this chapter means 80 percent or less of the average median income of Chelan County. When possible, this program is intended to support and work in collaboration with other rehabilitation programs. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.020 Application.
Any owner-occupier of residential property either single-family or with an accessory dwelling unit within the city of Leavenworth that is low income may apply through the city administrator or designee for a grant to finance all or a portion of the cost of fire prevention and rehabilitation measures when the following conditions are met:
A. The single-family house or accessory dwelling unit is more than 30 years old; and
B. The single-family house or accessory dwelling unit is occupied by the low-income owner-applicant; and
C. The fire prevention and rehabilitation measures will achieve one or more of the following wildland-urban interface building standards:
1. Elements consistent with Chapter 15.06 LMC:
a. Roof;
b. Eaves, soffits and fascias;
c. Gutters and downspouts;
d. Exterior walls/siding;
e. Underfloor enclosures;
f. Appendages and projections;
g. Vents.
2. Other elements consistent with wildland-urban interface practices, including but not limited to:
a. Windows;
b. Garage doors;
c. Chimneys;
d. Fences.
D. In the construction of the project, the owner-applicant commits where practicable and reasonable to utilize a competitive public bidding process for the fire prevention and rehabilitation measures. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.030 Application review criteria.
In consultation with the city building official and Fire District No. 3, the city administrator or designee shall review each application under the following criteria:
A. Age of the single-family house or accessory dwelling unit;
B. Owner-applicant is living in the housing unit (single-family house or accessory dwelling unit) which may be rehabilitated and meets the requirements of a low-income resident. Verification of income level may be completed by an organization separate from the city;
C. The area of rehabilitation does not include asbestos; and
D. The type of rehabilitation the owner-applicant is requesting is consistent with Chapter 15.06 LMC. Other elements may be approved when consistent with the Wildland-Urban Interface Code. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.040 Application approval process.
When the city administrator or designee determines that the applicant is eligible, the request is consistent with the review criteria, and the property does not contain asbestos final approval may be given the application. The city administrator or designee reserves the right to deny, modify or change the scope of the award consistent with LMC 3.45.020(C), to fit available funds and/or provide an equal or greater fire protection for the structure based on the structure and the location of the project. For example, if the applicant requested re-siding but through the review it is determined that a re-roof would provide equal or greater fire protection the city administrator or designee may modify the project to approve a re-roof without re-siding. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.050 Approved applications.
A. The property owner, of an approved application, shall submit a building permit application to the city along with verification of how the work will be completed, either by a licensed contractor or a do-it-yourself project. The city shall provide an “award amount” based on estimated costs.
B. The actual costs for a project will be based upon a final statement of the licensed contractor; or, when the project was approved as a do-it-yourself project, then the sum of invoices for materials and an amount for labor reimbursement, as set out in a schedule on file at the city clerk’s office.
1. The community development director shall establish a schedule of reasonable labor costs for various fire prevention and rehabilitation measures allowed under this chapter to be on file with the city clerk’s office.
C. When the work is completed, the city will provide reimbursement, up to the award amount or for actual costs for the project, whichever is less. The reimbursement shall be provided to the property owner or the contractor as determined by the city.
D. Alternatively, the applicant may request partial advance payment(s) when provided for in a separate agreement with the city. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.060 Authority to waive or reduce permit fees.
For any fire retrofit project approved by the city administrator or designee under this chapter, notwithstanding any absence of or contrary authority under LMC Title 15 or city fee resolution, the city administrator or designee is authorized to waive otherwise applicable building permit fees for a qualifying fire retrofit housing project receiving an award under this chapter. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]
3.45.070 Saving provision.
Should any waiver or reduction of fees or charges under this chapter be determined unlawful, authority is hereby conferred on the city council to appropriate funds as a grant to the owner of the fire retrofit project to pay the fee or charge. [Ord. 1635 § 1 (Att. A), 2021.]