Chapter 24.40
CODES ADOPTED
Sections:
24.40.040 Local amendments to the adopted codes.
24.40.010 General.
A. The adopted codes shall apply to any structure, equipment, or activity as provided herein.
B. All projects submitted for review and approval must conform to the requirements of SVMC Title 24. (Ord. 22-012 § 7, 2022; Ord. 21-005 § 3, 2021; Ord. 12-016 § 1, 2012; Ord. 07-010 § 1, 2007).
24.40.020 Specific.
A. Pursuant to Chapters 19.27 and 19.27A RCW, and Chapter 51-50 WAC, the City adopts the Washington State Building Code, as presently constituted or subsequently amended, together with all amendments and additions provided in SVMC Title 24. The adopted code includes:
1. International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including Washington State Amendments (Chapter 51-50 WAC);
2. International Residential Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including Washington State Amendments (Chapter 51-51 WAC);
3. International Energy Conservation Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including Washington State Amendments (Chapters 51-11C and 51-11R WAC);
4. International Mechanical Code and the International Fuel Gas Code, NFPA 58 and NFPA 54, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including Washington State Amendments (Chapter 51-52 WAC);
5. International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including Washington State Amendments (Chapter 51-54A WAC); and
6. Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, including Washington State Amendments (Chapter 51-56 WAC).
B. The City hereby adopts the 2018 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, current adopted edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., except Sections 106, 111, 302.3, 302.4, 302.8, 304.2, 304.8, 304.13 through 304.19, 305.3, 305.6, 308, 309.2 through 309.5, 404.1, 506.3, 507, and 606 are not adopted. The adopted International Property Maintenance Code is further hereby amended as provided in SVMC Title 24. The adopted International Property Maintenance Code is in addition and supplemental to any and all other adopted codes and regulations, and applies to any and all existing structures and premises; equipment, facilities and fixtures; light, ventilation, space heating, sanitation, life and fire safety hazards; responsibilities of owners, operators, and occupants; and occupancy of existing premises and structures; and such other matters as contained therein.
C. No provisions contained in any of the codes adopted in SVMC 24.40.020 related to fees, time limitation of application, and permit expiration are adopted. All fees, application time limitations, and permit expirations shall be enforced pursuant to SVMC Titles 7, 17, and 24 and not pursuant to the model codes adopted in SVMC 24.40.020.
D. No provisions contained in any of the codes adopted in SVMC 24.40.020 related to the appeal of a decision, order, or determination of the building official are adopted. All appeals of a decision, order, or determination of the building official shall be pursuant to SVMC 17.90.010 and not pursuant to the model codes adopted in SVMC 24.40.020. (Ord. 22-012 § 7, 2022; Ord. 21-005 § 3, 2021; Ord. 12-016 § 1, 2012; Ord. 07-010 § 1, 2007).
24.40.030 Local provisions.
A. The provisions contained in the codes adopted in SVMC 24.40.020 shall apply unless specifically amended by SVMC Title 24.
B. Projects subject to regulation under Chapter 24.40 SVMC vest to the state code edition under which a complete application was accepted.
1. Time Limitation of Application. Applications are valid for one year. One or more extensions of time may be granted for a term of not more than 180 days but shall not exceed the time remaining in the code cycle to which the application is vested. Any request for extension shall be made in writing. All permit applications regulated by SVMC Title 24 shall be deemed to be abandoned and become null and void if a permit is not issued within the time limits described herein.
a. Applications that have expired subject to SVMC 24.40.030 have no vested right to review under the state code or Spokane Valley Municipal Code in effect at the time of original complete application.
b. For review to continue on a project for which the application has expired, a new permit application must be submitted and a new fee paid. The application is subject to the processes and requirements of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code as constituted at the time of the new application. The scope of application submittal requirements and review process shall be determined by the city manager or designee.
2. Expiration of Permits. Every permit issued subject to SVMC 24.40.030 shall expire and become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within two years of issuance. One or more extensions of time may be granted for a term not more than 180 days but shall not exceed the time remaining in the first full code cycle after the code cycle to which the permit is vested. Any such extension shall be requested in writing.
A permit issued subject to SVMC 24.40.030 shall expire and become invalid if the work authorized by the permit is not completed within two years after the first required inspection has been made.
a. Permits that have expired subject to SVMC 24.40.030 have no vested right to review under the Spokane Valley Municipal Code in effect at the time of original complete application acceptance.
b. When a permit expires and the work authorized by the expired permit is not completed, the remaining work may continue only after a new permit application for the remaining work has been submitted, approved, and new fees paid. The scope of permit review and fee amount shall be determined by the city manager or designee. The fees shall be set to cover actual City costs for services.
c. Compliance Actions. If a permit issued to resolve a code violation expires subject to SVMC 24.40.030, the property owner may be subject to the immediate imposition of penalties and remedies authorized by the Spokane Valley Municipal Code.
3. Permit Ownership. Ownership of a permit issued pursuant to SVMC Title 24 inures to the property owner. If the permit applicant is not the property owner, the applicant shall be held to be an agent of, and acting on behalf of, the property owner.
4. Fees and Fee Refunds. Application and permit fees shall be collected or refunded subject to the provisions of the currently adopted Spokane Valley master fee schedule. A permit shall not be valid until the fees prescribed by the Spokane Valley master fee schedule have been paid in full.
The building official may authorize the refunding of fees in the manner and for the amounts set forth in the currently adopted Spokane Valley master fee schedule.
5. Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance. Any person who commences any work on a building structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, before obtaining necessary permits, shall be subject to an investigation fee in accordance with the current City of Spokane Valley master fee schedule.
The investigation fee shall be equal to and additional to the permit fee that would have been required had a permit been issued and is owed whether or not a permit is subsequently issued. Payment of the investigation fee does not vest illegal work or establish any right to a permit. (Ord. 22-012 § 7, 2022; Ord. 21-005 § 3, 2021; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017; Ord. 12-016 § 1, 2012).
24.40.040 Local amendments to the adopted codes.
The City hereby amends the adopted State Building Code as follows:
A. The International Building Code.
1. Amend Section 105, Permits, as follows:
a. Section 105.2, Work exempt from permit, Building: 1. to read as follows:
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (11.15 m2).
b. Section 105.2, Work exempt from permit, Building: Item 6. to read as follows:
Item 6. Decks, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the lowest adjacent ground level within six feet horizontally of the edge of the deck, sidewalk or driveway and where a guardrail is not required by other sections of this code, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
2. Amend Section 1613, Earthquake loads, as follows:
a. Add a sentence to subsection 1613.1, Scope, as follows:
The minimum seismic design category shall be C.
B. The International Residential Code.
1. Replace Table R301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria, with the following:
|
GROUND SNOW LOAD* |
WIND DESIGN |
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY |
SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM |
WINTER DESIGN TEMP. |
ICE |
FLOOD HAZARDS |
AIR FREEZING INDEX |
MEAN ANNUAL TEMP |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ultimate Design Speed (mph)* |
Topographic effects |
Special wind region |
Windborne debris region |
Weathering |
Frost line depth |
Termite |
|||||||
|
39 lbs/ft2 *Roof Snow Load: min. 30 lbs/ft2 |
110 *Nominal Design Speed: 85 |
No |
No |
No |
C |
Severe |
24" |
Slight to Moderate |
10°F |
Yes |
2010 FIRM |
1232 |
47.2°F |
|
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIA1 |
|||||||||||||
|
Elevation |
Latitude |
Winter heating |
Summer cooling |
Altitude correction factor |
Indoor design temperature |
Design temperature cooling |
Heating temperature difference |
||||||
|
2001 |
47°N |
7°F |
89°F |
0.94 |
72°F |
75°F |
65°F |
||||||
|
Cooling temperature difference |
Wind velocity heating |
Wind velocity cooling |
Coincident wet bulb |
Daily range |
Winter humidity |
Summer humidity |
|
||||||
|
14°F |
15 MPH |
7.5 MPH |
61 |
High |
30% |
50% |
|
||||||
|
1Manual J Design Criteria may be based on site-specific data in accordance with the Washington State Energy Code. |
|||||||||||||
2. Amend Section R310.2.5, Emergency escape and rescue openings, as follows:
R310.2.5 Replacement of emergency escape and rescue openings except for replacement of glazing only in such windows shall be of the size required by this section.
3. Amend Section R322, Flood-resistant construction, as follows:
a. Modify R322.1, General, to add municipal code reference and read as follows:
All development in whole or in part within a designated floodplain shall comply with chapter 21.30 SVMC and be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions contained in this section.
b. Add a sentence to subsection R322.1.4, Establishing the design flood elevation, such that the section reads as follows:
The design flood elevation is equal to base flood elevation plus one (1) foot. The design flood elevation shall be used to define areas prone to flooding, and shall describe, at a minimum, the base flood elevation at the depth of peak elevation of flooding (including wave height) which has a 1 percent (100-year flood) or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
c. Delete item 1 in subsection R322.2.1, Elevation requirements, as amended by Washington State, and replace with a new item 1 to read as follows:
1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas not designated as Coastal A Zones shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above base flood elevation plus one foot.
d. Delete item 3 in subsection R322.2.1, Elevation requirements, as amended by Washington State, and replace with a new item 3 to read as follows:
Basement floors that are below grade on all sides shall be elevated to or above base flood elevation plus one foot.
e. Add a second paragraph to Section R322.3.9, Construction documents, to read as follows:
The documents shall include a verification of foundation elevation prior to footing inspection approval and a verification of lowest floor elevation to be base flood elevation plus one foot prior to framing inspection approval.
C. The International Mechanical Code and the International Fuel Gas Code. Reserved.
D. The International Fire Code.
1. Adopt Appendix B, Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings.
2. Adopt Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution.
3. Adopt Appendix D, Fire Apparatus Access Roads; amend Section D101.1, to read as follows:
D101.1 Scope. Fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with this appendix and all other applicable requirements of the International Fire Code including the provisions of Section 503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads.
E. The Uniform Plumbing Code. Reserved.
F. The 2018 International Property Maintenance Code.
1. Amend Section 202, General definitions, by adding the following definitions:
a. Blighted property. A property, dwelling, building, or structure which constitutes blight on the surrounding neighborhood. “Blight on the surrounding neighborhood” is any property, dwelling, building, or structure that meets any two of the following factors:
i. A dwelling, building, or structure exists on the property that has not been lawfully occupied for a period of one year or more;
ii. The property, dwelling, building, or structure constitutes a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare as determined by the City manager or designee;
iii. The property, dwelling, building, or structure is or has been associated with illegal drug activity during the previous twelve months.
b. Drug properties and structures. Any building, structure and/or associated property, identified by the Chief of Police, wherein or upon which the manufacture, distribution, production or storage of illegal drugs or the precursors to create illegal drugs has taken place in a manner which could endanger the public.
2. Amend Section 202, General definitions, by deleting the following definitions:
a. Garbage;
b. Housekeeping unit;
c. Inoperable motor vehicle.
3. Amend Section 108, Unsafe structures and equipment, as follows:
a. Add a new subsection 108.8, Blighted properties, to read as follows:
In conformance with RCW 35.80A.010, the City may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with the notice requirements and other procedures for condemnation provided in Title 8 RCW, any property, dwelling, building, or structure which constitutes a blight on the surrounding neighborhood.
Prior to such condemnation, the City Council shall adopt a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary to eliminate neighborhood blight. Condemnation of property, dwellings, buildings, and structures for the purposes described in this chapter is declared to be for a public use.
b. Add a new subsection 108.9, Drug properties and structures, to read as follows:
Drug properties and/or structures are declared to be unsafe properties or structures and are a classification of property subject to the special procedures set forth in Section 108.8. The Building Official is authorized to abate such unsafe buildings, structures, and/or associated properties in accordance with the procedures set forth in this code and Washington statute, chapter 64.44 RCW, with the following additional actions:
i. Due to public safety hazard in drug production facilities, all public and private utilities shall be disconnected.
ii. Building(s) and structures shall be inspected to determine compliance with all City ordinances and codes.
iii. Building(s) and any entry gates to the property shall be secured against entry in the manner set forth in this code.
iv. Reconnection of utilities or occupancy of the building(s), structures or property shall not be allowed until all violations have been addressed, all dangerous conditions abated and a notice of release for re-occupancy has been received from the health department and sheriff’s office.
v. If dangerous conditions cannot be abated, occupancy shall be prohibited and the structure and/or property may be subject to condemnation pursuant to RCW 35.80A.010, Condemnation of blighted property.
4. Replace the code reference, International Plumbing Code, in Sections 502.5 and 505.1 with the following:
The State adoption of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
5. Delete the text of Section 602.2, Residential occupancies, and replace with the following:
Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68° F (20° C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the requirements of this section.
6. Delete the text of Section 602.3, Heat supply, and replace with the following:
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 supply heat to occupants thereof shall provide heat to maintain a temperature of 68° F (20° C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
7. Replace paragraph one of Section 602.4, Occupiable work spaces, with the following:
Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat to maintain a temperature of 65° F (18° C) during the period the spaces are occupied.
8. Replace the code reference, ICC Electrical Code, in Section 604.2, Service, with the following:
The State adoption of the National Electrical Code.
(Ord. 22-012 § 7, 2022; Ord. 21-005 § 3, 2021; Ord. 12-016 § 1, 2012; Ord. 07-010 § 1, 2007. Formerly 24.40.030).