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Home My WebLink About2649 Incorporate 1997 UBC & WAC ChangesOrdinance No. 2649 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING AND UPDATING CHAPTER 16.04, BUILDING CODE, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO INCORPORATE 1997 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE AND WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHANGES WtW~REAS, PTMC Chapter 16.04, Building Code, adopts and incorporates by reference, various Uniform Building Code (UBC) and sections of the Washington Administmtix?e Code (WAC); and WHEREAS, some of the references are now outdated due to 1997 changes in the various uniform codes; and WI-IEREAS, the City Council desires to revise and update Chapter 16.04, consistent with current law and city practices, NOW, THEREFORE, the City CoUncil of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 16.04, Building Code, Section 16.03.010, Uniform codes adopted, 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, as now or later amended, which are hereby incorporated by reference: 1. The Uniform Building Code, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, and Appendix Chapter 33, 1994 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as amended by Chapter 51-50 40 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: Work Exempt from Permit. A building permit shall not be required for the following: 1. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet. 2. Fences not over 6 feet high. 34. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high. ~: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. 56. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one. f~7. Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below. 78. Painting, papering and similar finish work. 89. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery. kht0. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group U occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches. 104-1:. 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 5,000 gallons. 114-2. 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 $tx-,-,-,-,-,-,-,-,~ $1,906 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 1st, according to 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, 4-9°~ 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as amended by Chapter 51-S--2 42 WAC. 3. The Uniform Fire Code, Volumes 1 and 2, and appendix chapters, 499~ 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as amended by Chapters 51-54, 44 and 51-95 45 WAC. 4. The Uniform Plumbing Code, 499t: 1997 Edition, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as amended by Chapters 51--26 46 and 51--2-7 47 WAC. 5, The Washington State Energy Code, 1994 1997, 2nd 4th Edition (Chapter 51-4-1:13 WAC). 2 Ord. 2649 6. The 1995 1997, 4th Edition 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 fried with the clerk of the city and is available at City Hall. (Ord. 2649 § 1, 1998; Ord. 2527 § 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. Chapter 16.04, Building Code, Section 16.03.020, Establishment of office of building official, is hereby amended to read as follows: 16.04.020 Establishment of office of building official. A. The office of building official is created and the executive in charge shall be known as the building official. tt t9. The building official shall not have any interest whatever, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of any material or device entering into or used in or in connection with building construction, alterations, removal or demolition. (Ord. 2649 § 2, 1998; Ord. 2160 § 2, 1989; Ord. 1530 § 2, 1968). SECTION 3. Chapter 16.04, Building Code, Section 16.03.040, Duties of building official, is hereby amended to read as follows: 16.04.040 Duties of building official. A. The building official shall receive applications required by city ordinances. ~ The building offici~ shall examine premises for which permits have been issued and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of law are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely,.-I-Ie and shall enforce all provisions of the building code. ~ wWhen requested by proper authority, or when the public interest so requires, ht.tx_ah.e~dl make investigations in connection with matters referred to in the building code and render written reports on the same. To enforce compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction, or to require adequate exit facilities in buildings and structures, he or she shall issue such notices or orders as may be necessary, as authorized by the Uniform Building Code, any other uniform codes adopted by this chapter, and/or the city enforcement code, PTMC Chapter 20.10. 3 Ord. 2649 B. Inspections required under the provisions of the building code shall be made by the building official or iris Iht.flffirda~ duly appointed assistant. The building official may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services, after investigation of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate called for by any provisions of the building code shall be issued on such reports unless the same are in writing and certified to be a responsible officer of such service. C. The building official shall keep comprehensive records of applications, of permits issued, of certificates issued, or inspections made, or reports rendered, and of notices or orders issued. He shall retain on file copies of required plans and all documents relating to building work so long as any part of the building or structure to which they relate may be in existence. D. All such records shall be open to the public inspection for good and sufficient reasons at the stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the building official without his written consent. E. The building official shall make written reports to the immediate superior once each year, or more often if requested, including statements of permits and certificates issued, and orders promulgated. (Ord. 2649 § 3, 1998; Ord. 1530 § 4, 1968). SECTION 4. 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 adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 15th day of June, 1998. Attest: Pam Kolacy, Citj Elerk~ 06/16/98 Ord\{Chl6-04.doc} Su~6 McCul~o~h,/ l~ayor -v ~ Approved as to Form: '~i{~oth~ ~/lVlkMfihan, ~t~ttorney 4 Ord. 2649