Chapter 15.02
BUILDING AND RELATED CODES
Sections:
15.02.010 Adoption of referenced codes.
15.02.020 Administration and enforcement.
15.02.030 Permits required – Ownership.
15.02.050 Amendments to international codes.
15.02.080 Violation – Penalty.
15.02.010 Adoption of referenced codes.
The county of Okanogan hereby adopts the following codes, as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council pursuant to RCW 19.27.074 for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures, including permits and penalties:
A. The International Building Code (IBC), published by the International Code Council, Inc., including all referenced standards.
B. The International Residential Code (IRC), published by the International Code Council, Inc., including all referenced standards. The following appendices are specifically adopted:
1. Appendix G, Swimming Pools, Spas/Hot Tubs.
2. Appendix J, Existing Buildings and Structures.
C. The International Mechanical Code (IMC), published by the International Code Council, Inc., except that the standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code).
D. The International Fire Code (IFC), published by the International Code Council, Inc., including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code; provided, that notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying hand-held candles.
E. Except as provided in RCW 19.27.170, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; provided, that any provisions of such code affecting fuel gas piping are not adopted; and the rules adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically disabled or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160.
F. The International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), as published by the International Code Council, Inc.
G. The Washington State Energy Code, adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council.
H. The Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code, adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council.
I. The 1997 Edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, California.
J. In case of conflict among the codes specified in this section, the first named code shall govern over those following. (Ord. 2005-1 § A, 2005).
15.02.020 Administration and enforcement.
Okanogan County, upon proper procedures delineated under RCW 36.32.120 (Powers of Board), may provide for administration and enforcement of the State Building Code within its jurisdictional boundaries by establishing a local building department. Such administration and enforcement of the State Building Code by its building department shall include all of the codes comprising the State Building Code enumerated in OCC 15.02.010. (Ord. 2005-1 § B, 2005).
15.02.030 Permits required – Ownership.
A. Permits Required.
1. Except as exempted in the International Building Code, any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
2. Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items.
3. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
B. Ownership. The owner of an Okanogan County building permit shall be the property owner. The permit applicant is, by definition, an agent of the property owner if not the property owner. (Ord. 2005-1 § D, 2005).
15.02.040 Permit fees.
A fee schedule shall be set by and at the discretion of the building official to reflect reasonable costs incurred subject to approval by motion of the board of commissioners. Such fee schedule is subject to change without notice. (Ord. 2005-1 § E, 2005).
15.02.050 Amendments to international codes.
In accordance with RCW 19.27.040 and 19.27.060 the following amendments, additions or alterations of the international codes are made:
A. The International Fire Code (IFC) is hereby limited in its application as follows: Buildings shall not be deemed used for the storage of high-piled combustible materials when used for closely packed piles of containers of fresh fruit or produce not more than 25 feet high.
B. The International Building Code (IBC) is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraphs:
1. Before a permit may be issued by the Building Official, the applicant must obtain approval from the following county departments:
a. Health District;
b. Public Works, if applicable; and
c. County Office of Planning and Development.
2. A building permit shall not be required for agricultural fences including, but not limited to:
a. Orchard fences;
b. Snow breaks;
c. Cattle and stud corrals; and
d. Fences for exotic birds and animals.
3. A building permit shall not be required for an agricultural building, aggregate, less than 4,000 square feet of construction, as set forth in RCW 18.08.410(6). An “agricultural building” is defined as a structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products. Said structure shall not be a place of human habitation or place of employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged, nor shall it be a place used by the public.
4. No agricultural building as defined herein shall be located closer to any property line than the greater of the following:
a. The height of the building plus five (5) feet for lateral collapse protection; or
b. The required setbacks set forth in the Okanogan County Zoning Ordinance and Zoning District in which the structure is to be located.
5. Prior to the construction of any agricultural building as defined herein, a site plan analysis shall be obtained from the Office of Planning and Development.
6. Any change of occupancy or use of an agricultural building as defined herein requires a building permit and a site plan analysis.
7. A building permit shall not be required for the repair and remodeling of residential structures when the fair market value (labor and materials) of repair or remodeling does not exceed ($3,000) three thousand dollars, provided, however, that this exclusion shall not apply if said remodeling or repairing increases the square footage of living space of the structure, alters the structural support of the structure or required egress from the structure in any twelve month period.
8. A building permit may be obtained for an agricultural building as defined herein. Said building permit shall be effective for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
(Ord. 2005-1 § F, 2005).
15.02.060 Fire inspections.
Nothing in this chapter is meant to require Okanogan County or any officer to perform regular fire inspections under the International Fire Code. (Ord. 2005-1 § I, 2005).
15.02.070 Duty of applicant.
The burden of determining whether the applicant will violate any federal, state or county or other law by execution of his plan to build is upon the applicant. The purpose of review by the county departments listed above is primarily for protection of the public and secondarily to provide guidance to the applicant. (Ord. 2005-1 § J, 2005).
15.02.080 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating a portion of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Each such violation shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 30 days, and/or payment of a fine not exceeding $500.00. Each day during which a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense and separate penalties may be assessed for each separate offense. (Ord. 2005-1 § H, 2005).
15.02.090 Appeals.
Administrative decisions made by department staff in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter may be appealed in accordance with Chapter 2.67 OCC, Appeals of Administrative Actions. (Ord. 2014-12, 2014).