Chapter 11.44
PLUMBING CODE
Sections:
11.44.010 Adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code.
11.44.020 Application and scope.
11.44.040 Amendment to Part 1—Administration.
11.44.041 Amendment to Subsection 103.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
11.44.042 Amendment to subsection 221 of Chapter 2 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
11.44.050 Qualification of plumbers.
11.44.100 Amendment to Section 305.
11.44.101 Amendment to Section 311.1.
11.44.110 Amendment to Section 604 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
11.44.010 Adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code.
The Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, excluding Chapter 12, but including IAPMO installation standards and appendices thereto, consisting of Appendix A, “Rules for Sizing the Water Systems,” Appendix B, “Combination Waste and Vent Systems,” and Appendix I, “Installation Standards,” of which one or more copies each have been filed and are now on file in the office of the code administration manager of the city of Yakima, is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out in full herein, as the plumbing code of the city of Yakima, except as hereinafter amended, and the provisions and regulations thereof are adopted as the provisions and regulations of the city of Yakima; and several sections or numbers therein shall constitute, and may be referred to as, the numbers of this chapter.
The above-referenced texts are incorporated in this chapter by reference. One or more copies of the texts that comprise the plumbing code of the city of Yakima shall be maintained on file in the office of the code administration manager of the city of Yakima. (Ord. 2024-008 § 6, 2024; Ord. 2021-001 § 6, 2021; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 93-66 § 3, 1993: Ord. 3424 § 1, 1991: Ord. 3401 § 1, 1991: Ord. 3145 § 1, 1988: Ord. 2900 § 1, 1985: Ord. 2671 § 1, 1983: Ord. 2459 § 1, 1980: Ord. 2027 § 1, 1976: Ord. 1618 § 1, 1974: Ord. 1237 § 1, 1970: Ord. 1025 § 1, 1968: Ord. 293 § 1, 1961).
11.44.020 Application and scope.
The ordinance codified herein shall be known as the Yakima Plumbing Code, may be cited as such and will be referred to in this chapter as “this code.” (Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 1618 § 2, 1974).
11.44.040 Amendment to Part 1—Administration.
Part 1, Administration, of the Uniform Plumbing Code, as applied to the city of Yakima, is amended to read as follows:
10.1. Title. This ordinance shall be known as the “Uniform Plumbing Code” and will be referred to as “this Code” herein.
10.2. Purpose. This code is an ordinance providing minimum requirements and standards for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare. Enforcement and adoption of this Code shall not be construed for the particular benefit of any individual person or group of persons, other than the general public. In the event of a conflict between the intent of this subsection and any other section herein, this subsection shall govern insofar as applicable.
10.3. Scope.
(a) Moved Buildings. Plumbing systems which are a part of buildings or structures moved into this jurisdiction shall comply with the provisions of this Code for new installations.
10.4. Authority to Abate
(a) Any portion of a plumbing system found by the Administrative Authority to be insanitary, as defined herein, is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
(b) Where a nuisance exists or a plumbing system is maintained in violation of this Code or any notice issued pursuant to this section, the Administrative Authority shall require the nuisance or violation to be abated and, where necessary, shall seek such abatement in the manner provided by law.
20.1 Administrative Authority. Whenever the term “Administrative Authority” is used in this Code, it shall mean the Code Administrative Manager or his authorized representative.
20.2 Duties and Powers of Administrative Authority.
(a) The Administrative Authority may appoint such assistants, deputies, inspectors, or other employees as are necessary to carry out the functions of the department and this Code.
(b) Right of Entry. Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or whenever the Administrative Authority or his authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises, any condition or violation of this Code which make the building or premises unsafe, insanitary, dangerous or hazardous, the Administrative Authority or his or her authorized representative may enter the building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed upon the Administrative Authority by this Code, provided that if such building or premises is occupied, Administrative Authority shall present credentials to the occupant and request entry. If such building or premises is unoccupied, reasonable effort shall first be made to locate the owner or the other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the Administrative Authority or his or her authorized representative has recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.
When the Administrative Authority or his or her authorized representative shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner, occupant, or person having charge, care, or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry herein by the Administrative Authority or his or her authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.
(c) Stop Orders. Whenever any work being done contrary to the provisions of this Code, the Administrative Authority may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in the doing or causing such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop work until authorized by the Administrative Authority to proceed with the work.
(d) Authority to Disconnect Utilities in Emergencies. The Administrative Authority and his or her authorized representative shall have the authority to disconnect a plumbing system to a building, structure or equipment regulated by this Code in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property.
(e) Authority to Condemn. Whenever the Administrative Authority ascertains that any plumbing system or portion thereof, regulated by this Code, has become hazardous to life, health, property, or has become insanitary, the Administrative Authority shall order in writing that such plumbing either be removed or placed in a safe or sanitary condition, as appropriate. The order shall fix a reasonable time limit for compliance. No person shall use or maintain defective plumbing after receiving such notice.
When such plumbing system is to be disconnected, written notice shall be given. In cases of immediate danger to life or property, such disconnection may be made immediately without such notice.
(f) Liability. The Administrative Authority or his or her authorized representative, charged with the enforcement of this Code, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of duties, shall not thereby render himself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to the persons or property as a result of any act or by reason of any act or omission in the discharge of his duties. A suit brought against the Administrative Authority or employee because of such act or omission performed by him in the enforcement of any provision of this Code shall be defended by legal counsel provided by this jurisdiction until final termination of such proceedings.
20.3 Violation and Penalties.
(a) Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.00, or by imprisonment in the jail facility for the City of Yakima not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each separate day or any portion thereof, during which any violation of this Code occurs or continues, shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable as herein provided. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be deemed or construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this Code. No permit presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code shall be valid, except insofar as the work or use which it authorized is lawful.
(b) The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans shall not prevent the Administrative Authority from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans and specifications or from preventing construction operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this Code or any other ordinance or from revoking any Certificate of Approval when issued in error.
(c) Every permit issued by the Administrative Authority under the provisions of this Code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of issuance of such permit, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall first be obtained to do so.
(d) The City Council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of fees for plumbing permits and plan review.
(Ord. 2024-008 § 6, 2024; Ord. 2017-024 § 1, 2017: Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2014-037 § 3 (Exh. C), 2014: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 2004-84 § 1, 2004: Ord. 3424 § 2, 1991: Ord. 3401 § 2, 1991: Ord. 3145 § 2, 1988: Ord. 2900 § 2, 1985: Ord. 2671 § 1, 1983: Ord. 2459 § 2, 1980: Ord. 2027 § 2, 1976: Ord. 1618 § 3, 1974: Ord. 1241 § 1, 1970: Ord. 1237 § 2, 1970: Ord. 1025 § 3, 1968: Ord. 306, 1961: Ord. 293 § 3, 1961).
11.44.041 Amendment to Subsection 103.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Subsection 103.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code shall read as follows:
103.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction. The Authority Having Jurisdiction is the Code Administration Manager or the Director of the Department of Community Development or their respective designees.
(Ord. 2021-001 § 6, 2021; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 3401 § 4, 1991: Ord. 3145 § 3, 1988: Ord. 2900 § 3, 1985: Ord. 2671 § 3, 1983: Ord. 2459 § 4, 1980).
11.44.042 Amendment to subsection 221 of Chapter 2 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Section 221 of the Uniform Plumbing Code is amended to read as follows:
Shall—The word “shall” is defined to have the following meaning:
(1) With respect to the functions and powers of the Director of Community Development, Code Administration Manager, any agents and employees of the City of Yakima and any board authorized hereunder, a direction and authorization to act in the exercise of sound discretion and in good faith.
(2) With respect to the obligations upon owners and occupants of premises and their agents, a mandatory requirement to act in compliance with this Code at the risk of civil and criminal liability upon failure so to act.
(Ord. 2021-001 § 6, 2021; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 3401 § 5, 1991: Ord. 3145 § 4, 1988: Ord. 2900 § 4, 1985: Ord. 2671 § 4, 1983: Ord. 2459 § 5, 1980).
11.44.050 Qualification of plumbers.
A. Side Sewer Installer’s License Required.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of installing or contracting to install, repair or alter plumbing or side sewers without first obtaining and being the authorized holder of a current certificate of registration issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries pursuant to the provisions of Title 18 of the Revised Code of Washington.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business or trade of plumbing as a journeyman without first having a current certificate of competency issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries pursuant to the provisions of Title 18 of the Revised Code of Washington. A journeyman plumber’s license permits the holder to work on all types of plumbing including side sewers, only while in the employ of a properly licensed plumbing contractor.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to labor at the trade of side sewer installer in the capacity of journeyman installer without first having obtained and being the authorized holder of a valid and subsisting journeyman sewer installer’s license.
A journeyman sewer installer’s license permits the holder to perform only such work as is provided for herein in the construction and installation of side sewers and such work shall not include any work within the interior of any building line.
B. License Procurement and Fees.
(1) All contractors’ licenses required by this chapter shall be obtained from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Professional Licensing Division, and shall be maintained in accordance with Title 18 of the Revised Code of Washington.
(2) All journeyman plumbers’ certificates of competency required by this chapter shall be obtained from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, Building and Construction Safety Inspection Division, and shall be maintained in accordance with Title 18 of the Revised Code of Washington.
(3) All journeyman side sewer installers’ licenses required by this chapter shall be obtained from the code administration manager or his designee upon presentation of a certificate of qualification issued and approved by the division of code administration. License fees shall be paid to the city of Yakima at the time of issuance in accordance with the rates set forth in the city of Yakima master fee schedule adopted via resolution by the city council.
Licenses expire on December 31st of each year. (Ord. 2022-040 § 67, 2022; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 3401 § 3, 1991; Ord. 3145 § 5, 1988: Ord. 2900 § 5, 1985: Ord. 2671 § 2, 1983; Ord. 2459 § 3, 1980; Ord. 2027 § 3, 1976: Ord. 1618 § 4, 1974: Ord. 1237 § 3, 1970: Ord. 1025 § 4, 1968: Ord. 306, 1961: Ord. 293 § 4, 1961).
11.44.100 Amendment to Section 305.
A new subsection of Section 305 of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by this chapter is hereby added to read as follows:
Section 305—Damage to Drainage System or Public Sewer.
(a) No such rainwater shall be allowed to flow over any public sidewalk, but shall be conducted under the sidewalk to the gutter or storm drain. In areas where storm drains are not available such rainwater shall be conducted to dry wells constructed for that purpose.
(Ord. 2021-001 § 6, 2021; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 1237 § 8, 1970: Ord. 1025 § 9, 1968).
11.44.101 Amendment to Section 311.1.
A new subsection of Section 311.1 of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by this chapter is hereby added to read as follows:
Section 311.1-General
The drainage system of each new building and new work installed in an existing building shall be separate and independent from that of any other building, and, where available, every building shall have an independent connection with a public or private sewer.
Exceptions:
1. Where one building stands in the rear of another building on an interior lot, and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining court, yard, or driveway the building drain from the front building shall be permitted to be extended to the rear building.
2. Sewer service to a single attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) may be provided by a connection from the ADU to the primary dwelling unit on the property, subject to conditions listed in YMC 7.65.050(D)(3).
(Ord. 2023-016 § 2, 2023).
11.44.110 Amendment to Section 604 of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
A new subsection of Section 604 of the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by this chapter is hereby added to read as follows:
Section 604.1.1 Materials.
(a) Water pipe and fittings shall be of approved materials. The installation of galvanized steel piping and associated fittings shall be prohibited.
(b) Cast iron fittings up to and including two (2) inches (50.8 mm) in size, when used in connection with potable water piping shall be galvanized.
(c) All malleable iron water fittings shall be galvanized.
(Ord. 2021-001 § 6, 2021; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 93-76 § 1, 1993: Ord. 3401 § 6, 1991: Ord. 3145 § 5, 1988. Formerly 11.44.120).
11.44.120 Board of appeals.
In order to determine the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction and to provide reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this code, the hearing examiner as set forth in YMC 11.04.113 shall also serve as the board of appeals for this code. (Ord. 2024-008 § 6, 2024; Ord. 2016-011 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016: Ord. 2013-030 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2013: Ord. 1618 § 5, 1974. Formerly 11.44.130).