Chapter 15.01
BUILDING CODES
Sections:
15.01.010 Purposes – Objectives – Standards.
15.01.030 Adoption of international and other codes.
15.01.040 Limitations on amendment.
15.01.010 Purposes – Objectives – Standards.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures and the general public by the provision of building codes. Accordingly, this chapter is designed to effectuate the following purposes, objectives, and standards:
A. To require minimum performance standards and requirements for construction and construction materials, consistent with accepted standards of engineering, fire and life safety.
B. To require standards and requirements in terms of performance and nationally accepted standards.
C. To permit the use of modern technical methods, devices and improvements.
D. To eliminate restrictive, obsolete, conflicting, duplicating and unnecessary regulations and requirements which could unnecessarily increase construction costs or retard the use of new materials and methods of installation or provide unwarranted preferential treatment to types or classes of materials or products or methods of construction.
E. To provide for standards and specifications for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by physically challenged persons.
F. To consolidate within each authorized enforcement jurisdiction the administration and enforcement of building codes.
G. The city of Sultan shall keep on file in the office of the clerk/treasurer one copy of the hereinafter referenced codes as herein adopted together with the amendments and supplements thereto herein make a part of this chapter.
H. The building department is hereby created and the official in charge thereof shall be known as the building official. The city of Sultan hereby creates the position of building official. The mayor per Section 3.02 of the personnel policy manual shall appoint said building official. The building official shall perform such duties as are identified throughout this municipal code.
The building official also shall fulfill the following duties:
1. Serve as plans examiner;
2. Provide supervision and guidance for the building department;
3. Carry out such other duties as the mayor may designate. (Ord. 1319-20 § 1; Ord. 856-04 § 1)
15.01.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
A. “City” means city of Sultan;
B. “Multifamily residential building” means common wall residential buildings that consist of four or fewer units, that do not exceed two stories in height, that are less than 5,000 square feet in area, and that have a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation between units; and
C. “Temporary growing structure” means a structure that has the sides and roof covered with polyethylene, polyvinyl, or similar flexible synthetic material and is used to provide plants with either frost protection or increased heat retention. (Ord. 1319-20 § 1; Ord. 856-04 § 1)
15.01.030 Adoption of international and other codes.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in the city of Sultan the building code which shall consist of the following codes which are hereby adopted by reference as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council except for Appendix V – Dwelling Unit Fire Sprinkler Systems:
1. a. The 2021 International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., with statewide amendments and as amended within this document;
b. The 2021 International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., with statewide amendments.
2. The 2021 International Mechanical Code, 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);
3. The 2021 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58) without exception;
4. The 2021 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) without exception;
5. The 2021 International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., with statewide amendments without exception, including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code;
6. The 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials with statewide amendments without exception;
7. The 2021 Washington State Energy Code without exception;
8. The 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70). Please see the Department of Labor and Industries for information on the adoption and amendment of the National Electrical Code without exception;
9. The IC/ANSI A117.1-09, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, with statewide amendments without exception;
10. Appendices. Appendices referenced in the text of the construction codes shall be considered an integral part of the construction codes as adopted by the SBCC;
11. 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;
12. In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsections (A)(1), (2), (5), and (6) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following.
B. Intent.
1. The intent of the adoption of the 2021 International Building Code by the city of Sultan is to remain consistent with state laws regulating construction, including electrical, plumbing, and energy codes established in Chapters 19.27, 19.27A, and 19.28 RCW. The 2021 International Building Code references the 2021 International Residential Code for provisions related to the construction of single-family and multiple-family dwellings. No portion of the 2021 International Residential Code shall supersede or take precedence over provisions in Chapter 19.28 RCW, regulating the electrical code; nor provisions in RCW 19.27.031(4), regulating the plumbing code; nor provisions in Chapter 19.27A RCW, regulating the energy code.
2. In accordance with RCW 19.27.020, the city shall promote fire and life safety in buildings consistent with accepted standards.
3. The city of Sultan finds that building codes are an integral component of affordable housing. (Ord. 1400-24 § 1; Ord. 1339-21 § 1; Ord. 1319-20 § 1; Ord. 1240-16 § 1; Ord. 1184-13 § 1; Ord. 1088-10 § 1; Ord. 856-04 § 1)
15.01.040 Limitations on amendment.
The city is authorized to amend the State Building Code as it applies within the jurisdiction of the city. The minimum performance standards of the codes and the objectives enumerated in RCW 19.27.020 shall not be diminished by any amendments.
A. No provision of the International Fire Code concerning roadways shall be part of the State Building Code; provided, that this subsection shall not limit the authority of a county or city to adopt street, road, or access standards.
B. The city may adopt an ordinance or resolution to exempt from permit requirements certain construction or alteration of either Group R, Division 3, or Group M, Division 1 occupancies, or both, as defined in the Uniform Building Code, 1988 Edition, for which the total cost of fair market value of the construction or alteration does not exceed $1,500. 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. (Ord. 1319-20 § 1; Ord. 856-04 § 1)