Chapter 15.04
BUILDING CODES
Sections:
15.04.020 Adoption of uniform standards.
15.04.030 Permit application – Review – Acquisition – Fees – Term.
15.04.040 Enforcement authority.
15.04.050 Violation – Penalty.
15.04.060 Board of appeals – Appeals.
15.04.010 Codes adopted.
In compliance with Chapter 19.27 RCW, the following codes, standards, and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) provisions are hereby adopted by reference as the same exist now or may be hereafter amended as the building code of the city:
A. International Building Code. The current edition of the International Building Code, including Appendices H and J, published by the International Code Council (ICC) as adopted by the State Building Code Council as set forth in WAC Title 51. To the extent other provisions of the city municipal code currently refer to the Uniform Building Code, all such references shall hereafter be interpreted as references to the International Building Code as adopted in this section.
B. International Residential Code. The current edition of the International Residential Code, including Appendices G and J, published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the State Building Code and as set forth in WAC Title 51.
C. International Mechanical Code. Except as provided in RCW 19.27.031, the current edition of the International Mechanical Code, including all appendices published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the State Building Code Council and as set forth in WAC Title 51.
D. Uniform Plumbing Code. Except as provided in RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.170, the current editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and including all additions, deletions, and exceptions as set forth in WAC Title 51, as the same exist now or may hereafter be amended are adopted by this reference as if fully set forth as the plumbing code of the town of Waterville, except such portions as may be deleted, modified, or amended by ordinance.
E. International Fire Code. Except as provided in RCW 19.27.031, the current edition of the International Fire Code, including Appendices B, C, D, E, F, and G, including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., including all additions, deletions, and exceptions as set forth in WAC Title 51, as the same now exists or may be hereafter amended, is hereby adopted by this reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth as the fire code for the town of Waterville, except such portions as may be deleted, modified, or amended by ordinance.
F. Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. The most current edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials.
G. Washington State Energy Code. The current edition of the Washington State Energy Code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council, and as set forth in WAC Title 51.
H. Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code. The current edition of the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council, and as set forth in WAC Title 51.
I. Washington State Historic Building Code. The current edition of the Washington State Historic Building Code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council as set forth in WAC Title 51. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004; Ord. 600 § 9, 2000; Ord. 594 §§ 1, 2, 1999).
15.04.015 Conflicts.
In the case of a conflict between the codes adopted by reference by the city in this title, the first of the following named codes shall govern over those following:
A. Building code;
B. Residential code;
C. Mechanical code;
D. Fire code;
E. Plumbing code. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004).
15.04.020 Adoption of uniform standards.
Pursuant to RCW 35A.12.140 and for the purposes provided therein for the adoption of standard codes and technical regulation, the following standard codes and regulations are adopted by reference: the Washington Department of Transportation/American Public Works Association Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction as set forth in the current edition together with all newly adopted amendments and additions. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004; Ord. 585, 1998).
15.04.030 Permit application – Review – Acquisition – Fees – Term.
A. Application. All applications for building permits shall be submitted in completed form to the office of the town clerk at Waterville Town Hall. All applications must include the following:
1. Building permit application with all applicable information. This should include legal description and street address of the proposed project property and contractor information.
2. Vicinity map showing all platted lots within 500 feet, adjacent streets, north arrow, and subject lot highlighted.
3. Site drawings showing location of all property lines, roads and alleys abutting the property, all proposed and existing buildings with setbacks from property line and the relation with existing and adjacent property, driveways and utility lines, and the overall size and dimensions of the property where project is proposed.
4. Building plans with sufficient drawings to indicate structural materials and assembly. For full residence or business building construction, these should be blueprints.
B. Review. The town clerk’s office shall review all building permit applications as received and provide complete copies to the building inspector. The building inspector shall review the applications, including site plan review and structural plan review, for compliance with local zoning and building codes. If there are any questions regarding zoning, the inspector shall notify the town clerk’s office and applicant of the need for alteration of site plan, variance or conditional use permit. The inspector shall make notes on the applicant plans to inform applicant of the requirements.
Approval or disapproval of the building permit application is subject to applicable codes and final plan approval by the building inspector. At the time of approval, the inspector will determine and compute the appropriate fees for the building permit consistent with the International Building Code fee schedule. The permit will be issued with the assistance of town staff.
C. Acquisition of Permit. Once approval for a building permit is granted by the building inspector, the applicant may obtain a permit for the building project by payment of appropriate fees at Town Hall.
D. Fees. Building permit and plan review fees shall be as set forth in WMC 15.04.035, Fees.
E. Term. A building permit shall expire if the work authorized by the issued permit is not commenced within 180 days of the date of the permit, or if the work is suspended at any time for a period of 180 days; or it shall expire unless a written extension is requested and then granted by the town. If a building permit expires for inactivity under this provision, there shall be no refund of plan review or building permit fees. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004).
15.04.035 Fees.
When a building permit is required by this title or any applicable code, the fees as adopted by resolution of the town council and in effect at the time of application shall be paid. (Ord. 824 § 1, 2020; Ord. 684 § 1, 2007; Ord. 647 § 1, 2004; Ord. 600 § 9, 2000; Ord. 594 § 3, 1999).
15.04.040 Enforcement authority.
The codes adopted by this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the mayor, or his/her designee. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004).
15.04.050 Violation – Penalty.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any provision of this chapter or to fail to comply with any provision thereof. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty of violating or failing to comply with any provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and punishable by a monetary fine of $125.00. For any violation of a continuing nature, each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense, and shall subject the offender to the above penalty for each offense. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004).
15.04.060 Board of appeals – Appeals.
Appeals of a decision of an administrative official shall be filed with the town clerk within 14 calendar days of the issuance of the decision being appealed and shall be processed pursuant to the provisions applicable to administrative appeals, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended.
The board of appeals required by any code listed in WMC 15.04.010 shall consist of the town planning commission. The planning commission shall hear and make final decisions on appeals from the decisions of the building official pursuant to the applicable code listed in WMC 15.04.010.
Appeals of a decision of the planning commission shall be judicial appeals to the Douglas County superior court and must be filed in the superior court and served on the town clerk within 21 days after the date of issuance of the notice of final decision of the planning commission, pursuant to the applicable provisions of Chapter 36.70C RCW as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 647 § 1, 2004).
15.04.070 Copies on file.
The town clerk is hereby directed to maintain at all times one copy of each of the codes, appendices, and WAC Title 51, adopted by this chapter, for public inspection and use during regular town business hours. (Ord. 647 § 2, 2004).