Chapter 15.08
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
Sections:
15.08.010 Adoption.
As amended by WAC 51.50, the 2003 edition of the International Building Code, including Appendix G. (Ord. 2006-03 (part))
15.08.020 General.
The following shall be in addition to the requirements of the International Building Code:
A. Lot Lines and Setback Lines. Notwithstanding the authority of the building official to administer and enforce the International Building Code, no duty to verify or establish lot lines or setback lines is created by virtue of inspections conducted pursuant to Section 109 of the International Building Code and none shall be implied. The location of lot line and/or setback lines and construction related thereto shall be responsibility of the applicant/owner. The building official may require a survey to verify that appropriate setbacks have been met.
B. Change in Use. In addition to the requirements of Section 110.1 of the International Building Code, a certificate of occupancy may be required and a change in use deemed to have occurred when the occupancy or use of a building has changed to such extent that different zoning or building code other county code requirements apply. In order to make a determination as to whether the new use will be impacted by various codes and ordinances in effect, “change of use” permits will be required for all occupancy/use changes, and will be subject to the existing permit processes. Inspections made for the express purpose of granting a certificate of occupancy will be made as safety inspections and charged at the rate specified in Section 15.08.040
C. Demolitions.
1. In addition to the requirements of Section 3303 of the International Building Code, every building or structure or portion or remnants thereof remaining after fire, prior or partial demolition, acts of nature, explosion or other destructive or nondestructive forces which is found to be in noncompliance with the site cleanup requirements specified in subsections (C)(3)(a) through (C)(3)(j) of this section shall be brought into compliance with these requirements, as applicable, within sixty days of written notice (certified mail) or, those responsible for such buildings or structures shall obtain permits necessary for reconstruction within sixty days of such notice.
2. All buildings under demolition or remnants of buildings as mentioned in subsection (C)(1) of this section, shall have the site posted with no trespassing signs and otherwise protected from unauthorized access by the public.
3. Permits for demolishing structures and buildings shall be conditioned as follows:
a. Permits shall be valid for a period not to exceed sixty days from date of issuance with sixty-day extensions allowed for extenuating circumstances as approved by the building official;
b. Remove all floors, foundations, footings, basement and retaining walls to a minimum of eighteen inches below grade, or as otherwise required;
c. Fill excavations and other cavities with noncombustible, inorganic material smaller than eight inches and cover with dirt or gravel so that broken concrete is not left exposed;
d. Remove all sewage from existing cavities and fill with earth, sand, gravel or other approved material;
e. Fill wells with gravel and rocks no larger than eight inches or install a concrete cap (lined wells only) of sufficient size and weight that it cannot be removed;
f. Grade site so that surface is smooth and properly sloped for required drainage. Grading shall conform to existing neighboring grades on all sides;
g. During demolition, water shall be used to control and reduce dust and its impact on neighboring properties;
h. The site shall be left clean and in a safe condition;
i. When demolition has been completed, the department shall be contacted, pursuant to Section 109 of the International Building Code, to inspect the site to ascertain compliance with this chapter; and
j. A bond in an amount sufficient to ensure abatement of potential impacts to public health and safety and long-term environmental impacts and to ensure general clean-up of the demolition site shall, at the discretion of the building official, be required prior to issuance of the demolition permit.
i. If a bond is to be required, assurance of full and faithful performance shall be for a sum determined by the building official as sufficient to cover the cost of the proposed project. If the applicant does not concur with the established aforementioned sum, the applicant, at his/her expense may employ a qualified agent, approved by the building official to mediate any alleged discrepancy.
ii. Prior to issuance of permit, the applicant shall file with the building official, to assure his/her full and faithful performance, one of the following:
(A) A surety bond executed by a surety company authorized to transact business in the state of Washington in a form approved by the prosecuting attorney,
(B) A personal bond approved by the prosecuting attorney, cosigned by at least one additional person, together with evidence of financial responsibility and resources of those signing the bond sufficient to provide reasonable assurance of ability to proceed to accordance with the conditions of permit issuance.
iii. If the applicant fails to carry out provisions of the permit and Skamania County has unreimbursed costs or expense resulting from such failure, Skamania County shall call on the bond or cash deposit for reimbursement. If the amount of the bond or cash exceeds the cost and expense incurred by Skamania County, the remainder shall be released. If the amount of the bond or cash deposit is less than the cost and expense incurred by Skamania County, the applicant shall be liable to the county for the difference. The building official may require readjustment of bond amount if the scope of work changes after work has begun.
iv. Skamania County shall have the authority to make site visits at any time throughout the duration of the project.
v. Bonding shall remain valid until all required work is complete and the final inspection has been approved.
4. The fee for a demolition permit issued pursuant to Section 105 of the International Building Code shall be as specified in Section 15.08.040 of this chapter. (Ord. 2006-03 (part))
15.08.030 Amendments.
A. Section 105.2 is amended to read as follows:
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from 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. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building:
1. One-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet and the structure does not include any plumbing.
2. Fences not over 6 feet high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls, which are not over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
6. Platforms, decks, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below and which is not part of an accessible route.
7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R3 occupancy, as applicable in Section 101.2, which are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems.
11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one and two family dwellings.
12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R3, as applicable in Section 101.2, and Group U occupancies.
13. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.
14. Minor construction and alteration activities to Group U which the total valuation as determined or as documented by the applicant to the satisfaction of the building official, does not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500) in any twelve month period; PROVIDED, that the construction and/or alteration activity does not affect any structural components, or reduce existing egress, light, air, and ventilation conditions. This exemption does not include electrical, plumbing, or mechanical activities. The permit exemption shall not otherwise exempt the construction or alteration from the substantive standards of the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031, as amended and maintained by the State Building Code Council under RCW 19.27.070;
1. Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above exempted items.
2. 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.
Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply, the installations of towers and antennas.
Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
Gas:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
Plumbing:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
(Ord. 2018-07, 9-11-18; Ord. 2012-03, 5-8-12; Ord. 2006-03 (part))
15.08.040 Fees.
A. Fees for building permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be based on valuation and charged as set forth as per current resolution. The total valuation shall be determined using square foot construction costs as per current resolution.
B. A plan review fee shall be paid at the time of submitting the permit application. Said plan review fee shall be sixty-five percent of the building permit fee as established by this section. The plan review fee shall be based on a modified permit fee, it applicable. When submitted documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review or when the project involves deferred submittal items, and additional plan review fee may be charged at the rate shown in current resolution. The plan review fees specified in this section are separate fees from the permit fees specified in subsection A of this section and are in addition to the permit fees.
C. Other inspections and fees shall be charged as per current resolution.
D. The building official may authorize refunding of any fee, which was erroneously paid or collected. The building official may authorize refunding of not more than eighty percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued.
E. The building official may authorize refunding of not more than eighty percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review is done. In no case shall a plan review fee be refunded once the plan review has been started.
The building official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original permittee not later than one hundred eighty days after the date of the fee payment.
F. Fees for other permits required by this title shall be listed in their respective chapters.
G. Change of Use. The fee for each change of use issued pursuant to Section 15.08.020(B) and Section 15.12.020(C) of this title shall be twenty dollars per one thousand square feet, or portion thereof, of building up to a maximum of two hundred dollars, plus any other permit fees required as a result of the change of use. (Ord. 2006-03 (part))