Chapter 14.04
BUILDING CODES

Sections

14.04.010    Adoption of building and other codes

14.04.020    Copies on file/sale

14.04.025    Plan check

14.04.050    Fees—required

14.04.070    Temporary structures

14.04.080    Hoop houses

14.04.090    Roof snow load

14.04.120    Footings—general

14.04.150    Certificate of occupancy

14.04.010 Adoption of building and other codes

The following codes are hereby adopted by reference as the building codes for the city of Kodiak:

(a) 2009 International Building Code, as adopted with revisions in 13 AAC 50.020 in effect as of November 16, 2012, and including Appendix H, Signs, for all buildings except one- and two-family dwellings and residential accessory buildings; provided, that the following revisions to the 2009 International Building Code in 13 AAC 50.020 are not adopted: (1) the deletion in 13 AAC 50.020(1) of Sections 103, 104.4, 104.6, 104.8, 105.4, 107.5, 109.2, 109.5, and 110 through 115; and (2) the revisions in 13 AAC 50.020(7) through (11), (16), (17), (66), (73), (74), and (77).

(b) 2012 International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings with the following revisions:

(1) R105.2, Work exempt from permit #10, is modified by striking out “are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.”

(2) R301.2.1.1 is modified by adding to the end of the section:

The following may be built to Seismic design category D2 with 110 MPH wind speed in B and C wind exposure areas provided that the house was permitted before the adoption of the 2012 Residential Building Code.

One permit only. An addition that is not more than 15% of the total gross square foot area of the existing building that the addition will be attached to. Roof pitch is a maximum of 5/12 or less. One story additions may be built on a piling foundation provided existing building has a piling foundation.

Other exempt structures in section R105.2 titled Work exempt from permit.

(3) R311.7.5.1, Riser height, is modified as follows:

The maximum riser height shall be 8 inches (203mm). The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Risers shall be vertical or sloped from the underside of the nosing of the tread above at an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.51 rad) from the vertical. Open risers are permitted provided that the opening between treads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

(4) R311.7.5.2, Tread depth, is modified as follows:

The minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (228mm). The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread’s leading edge. The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).

(5) R313.1, Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems, and R313.2, One and two family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems, are modified by changing the word “shall” to “may.”

(6) Chapter 11, Energy Efficiency. Delete and replace with:

The AHFC amended 2012 IECC and Bees is the energy standard for the IRC.

(7) Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33. Delete these chapters related to plumbing and replace with the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code.

(8) Chapters 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43. Delete these electrical chapters and replace with the 2011 National Electrical Code.

(9) M2002.5, Boiler low-water cutoff, is modified by striking out the words “and hot water.”

(10) Sections R905.2.7.1, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1, R905.8.3.1. Add to exceptions:

Exception #2 Ice barriers are not required on roofs that can achieve R-42 insulation factor at the top plate of an exterior wall.

(c) 2009 International Building Code Appendix J, Grading.

(d) 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code, as adopted with revisions in 8 AAC 63.010, Appendix Chapter B, Explanatory Notes on Combination Waste and Vent Systems.

(e) 2009 International Mechanical Code, as adopted with revisions in 13 AAC 50.023 in effect as of November 16, 2012, except for the deletions in 13 AAC 50.023(1) of Sections 103, 104, and 106 through 110 of the 2009 International Mechanical Code.

(f) 2014 National Electric Code.

(1) New Section 300.4(I) is added to read as follows:

Thermoplastic type insulated conductors may not be installed when the working environment is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

(2) Section 410.16 is amended to read as follows:

Luminaries and Transformers in closets.

(g) 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.

(h) 1997 Uniform Housing Code.

(i) 2009 International Fuel Gas Code, Chapters 6 and 7.

They are adopted to regulate erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of buildings or structures in the city of Kodiak; to provide for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and to provide penalties for violations of those regulations. The building codes so adopted shall be interpreted, administered, and enforced with the local amendments hereinafter specifically set forth by the city building official who is authorized to take such action as may be reasonably necessary to enforce the purposes of this section. The city manager may appoint or authorize an assistant or agent to the building official if necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. [Ord. 1354 §§1—3, 2016; Ord. 1305 §1, 2013; Ord. 1246 §1, 2009; Ord. 1195a §1, 2005; Ord. 1145 §1, 2002; Ord. 1099, 1999; Ord. 1045 §1, 1997; Ord. 936 §1, 1992; Ord. 914 §1, 1991; Ord. 904, 1991; Ord. 836 §1, 1988; Ord. 722 §1, 1984; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.020 Copies on file/sale

After adoption, the building official shall provide for sale, to those interested, copies of all codes adopted pursuant to KCC 14.04.010. At least two copies of each code of technical regulations adopted by reference in KCC 14.04.010 shall be kept at the building department office. [Ord. 1246 §2, 2009; Ord. 1195a §2, 2005; Ord. 722 §2, 1984; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.025 Plan check

(a) Before beginning construction, alteration, or remodeling of all occupancies and buildings, plans and specifications regarding location on the property, area, height, number of stories, type of construction, fire-resistive construction, interior finish, exit facilities, electrical systems, mechanical systems, automatic fire-extinguishing systems, and fire alarm systems must be submitted to the building official for examination and approval.

(b) When the building official determines it advisable because of the complexity of the plans submitted, the plans may be submitted to the International Code Council (ICC) or a professional plan review service approved by the building official. The person submitting the plans to the building official shall be responsible for the plan review fee. [Ord. 1195a §3, 2005]

14.04.050 Fees—required

(a) All building permit fees and charges and all water and sewer connection fees associated with the construction which the permit authorizes shall be paid in full prior to issuance of the permit.

(b) The fees and charges for building permits and services associated with such permits shall be established by resolution of the city council. [Ord. 979 §4, 1993; Ord. 938 §2, 1992; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.070 Temporary structures

(a) Temporary structures, necessary for a construction project, may be erected, located, or maintained for a period of not more than 180 days. The location of the temporary structure must be approved by the building department.

(b) No certificate of occupancy or certification of project completion shall be issued until the temporary structure is removed. If the building official feels it is necessary to do a reinspection after a job has been completed, the fee for such reinspection shall be as established by resolution of the city council. [Ord. 1246 §3, 2009; Ord. 951 §§10, 11, 1993; Ord. 836 §3, 1988; Ord. 710 §1, 1984; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.080 Hoop houses

A “hoop house” or “high tunnel,” used exclusively for the production or storage of live plants, shall be exempt from the permit requirements of the city of Kodiak building codes if it meets the following criteria:

(a) There is no permanent anchoring system or foundation;

(b) There is no storage, temporary or otherwise, of solvents, gases, or other chemicals or flammable materials;

(c) The structure is no wider than 24 feet and no greater length than 32 feet;

(d) The covering of the structure is of a flexible polyethylene material no greater than 10 mils in thickness;

(e) The support structure of the hoop house is made of noncombustible materials, e.g., metal, and hoop house must be purchased as a kit per the USDA high tunnel program. Installation is per manufacturer’s recommendations;

(f) The structure is not utilized for retail sales;

(g) The structure is located no closer than 5 feet from all property lines and cannot redirect the existing drainage. [Ord. 1305 §2, 2013]

14.04.090 Roof snow load

The basic design snow load shall be not less than 40 pounds per square foot on the horizontal projection of the roof. At the discretion of the building official the snow load may be increased depending on the exposure. [Ord. 836 §4, 1988; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.120 Footings—general

Exterior porch and entrance platforms or landings constructed of any material shall be anchored to and supported by the building foundation wall at the point of junction. The outer edges of such platforms or landings shall be supported on concrete or masonry walls or piers extending a minimum of 36 inches below finish grade. This shall not apply to cantilevered platforms or landings, nor shall it apply to concrete platforms or landings not supporting any part of a building and extending no more than eight inches above finish grade.

Exceptions: In lieu of extending footings below the frost line, one of the following may be used, but in no case shall the footing extend less than the minimum cover depth required by the building code:

(a) Place footings on natural sand or gravel backfill compacted to 95 percent standard density. The minimum width of the compacted sand or gravel shall be twice the depth plus the width of the footing, except where the water table is within the depth of frost penetration, in which case the footings shall extend below frost line, 36 inches or as required by the building official.

(b) Place footings at a depth and in a type of soil so that allowable soil bearing pressure may be calculated as prescribed elsewhere in this code. [Ord. 1195a §6, 2005; Ord. 722 §8, 1984; Ord. 650, 1982]

14.04.150 Certificate of occupancy

(a) It is unlawful to occupy or inhabit any building or structure for which a certificate of occupancy has not been issued by the building official as provided in this title.

(b) The building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy upon completion of each building or structure found to be in compliance with the terms of this title and rules adopted hereby.

(c) Falsification of a certificate of occupancy for a building or structure not in conformity with such certificates shall be deemed a violation of this title. [Ord. 1049 §4, 1997]