Chapter 15.65
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
Sections:
15.65.010 Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code.
15.65.020 IPMC Section 302.4 amended.
15.65.030 IPMC Section 402.1 amended.
15.65.040 IPMC Section 403.1 amended.
15.65.050 IPMC Section 404.4.1 amended.
15.65.060 IPMC Section 404.5 amended.
15.65.070 IPMC Section 504.3 amended.
15.65.080 IPMC Section 602.3 amended.
15.65.090 IPMC Section 604.3 amended.
15.65.100 IPMC Section 606.1 amended.
15.65.010 Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code.
A. The 2021 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) published by the International Code Council, excluding Chapter 1, “Scope and Administration,” is adopted by reference and shall be applicable within the city subject to the following amendments and deletions as set forth in this chapter.
B. All codes, ordinances, standards, rules, and regulations adopted by this section are adopted by reference thereto and by this reference fully incorporated herein. Not less than one copy of each code, ordinance, rule or regulation, in the form in which it was adopted, shall be filed in the city clerk’s office and be available for use and examination by the public.
C. The following IPMC sections are not adopted:
304.13 – Window, skylight and door frames.
304.13.1 – Glazing.
304.13.2 – Openable windows.
304.14 – Insect screens.
304.16 – Basement hatchways.
304.17 – Guards for basement windows.
304.18 – Building security.
304.18.1 – Doors.
304.18.2 – Windows.
304.18.3 – Basement hatchways.
304.19 – Gates.
305.3 – Interior surfaces.
305.4 – Stairs and walking surfaces.
305.5 – Handrails and guards.
305.6 – Interior doors.
404.5.1 – Sleeping area.
404.5.2 – Combined spaces.
404.6 – Efficiency unit.
502.4 – Employees’ facilities.
502.4.1 – Drinking facilities.
503.3 – Location of employee toilet facilities.
602.4 – Occupiable work spaces. (Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.020 IPMC Section 302.4 amended.
IPMC Section 302.4 is amended to read as follows:
302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to penalties in accordance with NMC Section 15.05.114.4 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.030 IPMC Section 402.1 amended.
IPMC Section 402.1 is amended to read as follows:
402.1 Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have not less than one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every habitable space shall be 8 percent of the floor area of such room. Wherever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room and such obstructions are located less than 3 feet (914 mm) from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room.
Exceptions:
1. Where natural light for rooms or spaces without exterior glazing areas is provided through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, or not less than 25 square feet, whichever is greater. The exterior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being served.
2. The glazed areas need not be installed in rooms where artificial light is provided capable of producing an average illumination of 6 footcandles (65 lux) over the area of the room at a height of 30 inches above the floor level.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.040 IPMC Section 403.1 amended.
IPMC Section 403.1 is amended to read as follows:
403.1 Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have not less than one openable window. The total openable area of the window in every room shall be equal to not less than 45 percent of the minimum glazed area required in Section 402.1.
Exceptions:
1. Where rooms and spaces without openings to the outdoors are ventilated through an adjoining room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but not less than 25 square feet. The ventilation openings to the outdoors shall be based on a total floor area being ventilated.
2. Dwelling units equipped with local exhaust and whole house ventilation systems designed and installed as specified in Section M1505 of the International Residential Code or equivalent.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.050 IPMC Section 404.4.1 amended.
IPMC Section 404.4.1 is amended to read as follows:
404.4.1 Room Area. Every habitable room except kitchens shall contain at least 70 square feet.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.060 IPMC Section 404.5 amended.
IPMC Section 404.5 is amended to read as follows:
404.5 Overcrowding. The number of persons occupying a dwelling unit shall not create conditions that, in the opinion of the Code Official, endanger the life, health, safety or welfare of the occupants.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.070 IPMC Section 504.3 amended.
IPMC Section 504.3 is amended to read as follows:
504.3 Plumbing system hazards. Where it is found that a plumbing system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, inadequate venting, cross connection, backsiphonage, improper installation, deterioration or damage or for similar reasons, the code official is authorized to require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the hazard.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.080 IPMC Section 602.3 amended.
IPMC Section 602.3 is amended to read as follows:
602.3 Heat Supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat to maintain a temperature of not less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.090 IPMC Section 604.3 amended.
IPMC Section 604.3 is amended to read as follows:
604.3 Electrical System Hazards. Where it is found that the electrical system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants or the structure by reason of inadequate service, improper fusing, insufficient receptacle and lighting outlets, improper wiring or installation, deterioration or damage, or for similar reasons, the code official is authorized to require the defects to be corrected in compliance with the latest edition of the electrical code adopted by the state of Washington.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).
15.65.100 IPMC Section 606.1 amended.
IPMC Section 606.1 is amended to read as follows:
606.1 General. Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained in compliance with ASME A17.1. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter, be available for public inspection in the office of the building operator or be posted in a publicly conspicuous location approved by the code official. The inspection and tests shall be performed at not less than the periodic intervals listed in ASME A17.1, Appendix N, except where otherwise specified by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
(Ord. 2024-659 § 2 (Exh. A)).