HomeMy WebLinkAbout2527 Increasing the Minor Construction Exemption Amount for Building PermitsOrdinance No. ~ 5 ¢~ ~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING
SECTION 010, UNIFORM CODES ADOPTED, CHAPTER 16.04,
BUILDING CODE OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO
INCREASE THE MINOR CONSTRUCTION EXEMPTION AMOUNT FOR
BUILDING PERMITS FROM $1500 TO $1700, AND INDEXING THE
EXEMPTION AMOUNT BASED UPON RATE OF INFLATION
WHEREAS, the City allows for exemptions from building permits in accordance with the
Uniform Building Code (UBC), based on the total valuation of minor construction; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to lessen regulatory burdens for minor construction
by raising the exemption level and indexing the minor construction valuation based upon the rate
of inflation, as measured by the Engineering News Record Cost Index (ENR),
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as
follows:
~ Section 010, Uniform codes adopted, Chapter 16.04, Building Code, of the
Port Townsend Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
16.04.010 Uniform codes adopted.
A. There are adopted for the city, in conformance with the State Building Code Act, the
following codes:
1. The Uniform Building Code volumes 1, 2, and 3, and appendix chapter 33, 1994
Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as amended by Chapter
51-30 WAC, except:
a. Appendix subsections 3306.2.8 and 3306.2.9 are not adopted.
b. Chapter 1, Section 106.2 shall be amended to read as follows:
required for the following:
sheds, playhouses and similar
feet.
high.
(b) Work Exempt from Permit. A building permit shall not be
1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage
uses, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square
2. Fences not over 6 feet high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches
5. 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.
6. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not
exceed 5000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
7. Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above
grade and not over any basement or story below.
8: Painting, papering and similar finish work.
9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and
scenery.
10. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R,
Division 3, and Group U Occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches.
11. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division
3 occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does
not exceed 5000 gallons.
12. Minor construction and alteration activities, as determined by
the building official, for which the total valuation as determined in Section 304 (b) or as
documented by the applicant, does not exceed $-t500 $1700 in any 12-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
19.27.032; as amended and maintained by the state building code council under RCW 19.27.031.
The total valuation exemption shall be adjusted each year on January 1, according to eighty (80 %)
percent of the Seattle Area Engineering News Record Cost Index (ENR).
Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required
for the above exempted items.
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.
c. Chapter 2, Section 209-H - The definition for height of buildings shall
take preference over the zoning code definition.
2. The Uniform Mechanical Code, 1994 Edition, published by the International
Conference of Building Officials as amended by Chapter 51-32 WAC.
3. The Uniform Fire Code, volumes 1 and 2, and appendix chapters 1994 Edition,
published by the International Conference of Building Officials as amended by Chapters 51-34 and
51-35 WAC.
4. The Uniform Plumbing Code, 1991 Edition, published by the International
Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as amended by Chapters 51-26 and 51-27
WAC.
5. The Washington State Energy Code, 1994, 2nd Edition, (Chapter 51-11 WAC);
6. The 1995 Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code (Chapter
51-13 WAC).
7. The Washington State Historic Building Code, 1991 Edition, published by the
Washington Association of Building Officials, Chapter 51-19 WAC.
B. One copy of each such code has been filed with the clerk of the city and is available at
city hall. (Ord. __ § 1, 1996; Ord. 2468 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2415 § 1, 1994; Ord. 2307 § 1,
1992; Ord. 2245 § 2, 1991; Ord. 2160 § 1, 1989; Ord. 2038 § 1, 1986; Ord. 1989 § 1, 1984;
Ord. 1734 § 1, 1975; Ord. 1728 § 2, 1975).
Section 2. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this
Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such order or judgment shall not affect the validity or
constitutionality of the remainder of any part of this Ordinance. To this end, -the provisions of
each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this law are declared severable.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication
in the manner provided by law.
Read for the first, second, and third times and passed by the City Council of the City of
Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 20th day of May, 1996.
Julie M~f'Culloch, Mayor
Attest: ·
Vera Franz, Deputy Cit~/~
05/20/96 [95-092] Ord\{1604010'Yd~}
~imoth~~l~ahdn, City Attorney
3 Ord'~~r'~-~ 7