The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the Kitsap County Building and Fire Code.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.1, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 1, 2004)
The purpose of the Kitsap County Building and Fire Code is to regulate construction and or development of site work within the unincorporated boundaries of Kitsap County. Further it is the purpose of this chapter to adopt locally state mandated laws and codes regulating construction in order to promote the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures and the general public as a whole by enforcement of building codes throughout this jurisdiction.
It is also the purpose of this chapter, through enforcement of referenced codes, to regulate the safe and proper function of elements of a site or site improvement work and essential systems of a building including: plumbing and sanitation, water conservation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, energy efficiency, fire suppression systems, alarm systems, and fire department access.
Provided, notwithstanding anything in this chapter or in the codes adopted by this ordinance to the contrary, this ordinance establishes duties owed to the public as a whole and not any duties to protect any person or class of persons.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.2, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 2, 2004)
Kitsap County amendments or additional sections contained within this chapter shall retain the same code section designations as the original documents or similar numbering and section designations in order to produce a user-friendly document.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.3, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 3, 2004)
Pursuant to and by the authority of Chapters 19.27, 36.32, 36.43, 36.70A, 43.22, 43.22A, and 70.77 RCW, the following codes and standards as further amended in this chapter are adopted by reference:
A.
The International Building Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Code Council, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC.
This shall be known hereafter as the “International Building Code” or the “IBC.”
B.
The International Residential Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Code Council, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC.
This shall be known hereafter as the “International Residential Code” or the “IRC.”
C.
The International Mechanical Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Code Council, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-52 WAC, together with the International Fuel-Gas Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Code Council.
This shall be known hereafter as the “International Mechanical Code” or the “IMC.”
D.
The International Fire Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Code Council, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-54 WAC.
This shall be known hereafter as the “International Fire Code” or the “IFC.”
E.
The Uniform Plumbing Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-56 WAC, except Chapters 12 and 15; and those requirements of the Uniform Plumbing Code relating to venting and combustion air of fuel-fired appliances as found in Chapter 5; and those portions of the code addressing building sewers.
This shall be known hereafter as the “Uniform Plumbing Code” or the “UPC.”
G.
The Washington State Energy Code as amended and published by the Washington State Building Code Council, Chapters 51-11(C) and 51-11(R) WAC.
This shall be known hereafter as the “Energy Code” or “WSEC.”
J.
The International Existing Building Code (2021 Edition) published by the International Code Council, and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in WAC 51-50-4800.
This shall be known as the “International Existing Building Code” or the “IEBC.”
Any wording or reference to codes other than those established and adopted herein shall mean the relevant International Codes or Washington State Codes.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.4, 1998; Ord. 224-B (1999) § 1, 1999; Ord. 280 (2002) § 2, 2002; Ord. 323 (2004) § 4, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 1, 2007; Ord. 464 (2010) § 1, 2010; Ord. 552 (2018) § 1, 2018; Ord. 592 (2021) § 1, 2021; Ord. 638 (2025) § 1, 2025)
In case of conflict among the above adopted codes, the codes adopted by reference in subsections (A) through (E) of Section 14.04.040 determine the hierarchy. The first-named code shall supersede and shall govern over those following, except as specifically described within WAC Chapters 51-11 through 51-57.
Wherever the adopted codes state the International Plumbing Code, it shall mean the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State of Washington. Wherever the adopted codes state the International Electrical Code, ICC Electrical Code, or the Electrical Code, it shall mean the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) as adopted by the State of Washington in accordance with RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B. Wherever the adopted codes state the International Energy Conservation Code, it shall mean the Washington State Energy Code as adopted by the State of Washington.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.5, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 5, 2004)
The Kitsap County department of community development is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Kitsap County building and fire code. To this end, the director of the department of community development shall provide a system that will retain necessary personnel, conduct inspections and investigations, issue appropriate permits, maintain necessary records and files, and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary and proper for the administration and enforcement of the Kitsap County building and fire code.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 1.6, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 6, 2004; Ord. 592 (2021) § 2, 2021)
A.
The violation of any provision of this title shall constitute a Class I civil infraction. Each violation shall constitute a separate infraction for each and every day or portion thereof during which the violation is committed, continued, or permitted. Infractions shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2.116, as now or hereafter amended.
B.
Any use, building or structure in violation of this chapter is unlawful, and a public nuisance. Notwithstanding any other remedy or means of enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to Chapter 9.56 pertaining to the abatement of public nuisances or Article 9 of this chapter, Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, the county may bring an action for a mandatory injunction to abate the violation in accordance with the law. The costs of such a suit shall be taxed against the person found to have violated this title.
C.
The provisions in this section are cumulative and not intended to limit the enforcement remedies available for violations of this chapter. In addition to the provisions in this section, the county may take any and all enforcement actions available to it under law.
(Ord. 323 (2004) § 7, 2004; Ord. 391 (2007) § 2, 2007; Ord. 592 (2021) § 3, 2021)
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or provision in the Kitsap County Building and Fire Code, or its application to any person, entity or circumstances, is for any reason held invalid, the remainder of the Kitsap County Building and Fire Code, or the application of the provisions to other persons, entities or circumstances, shall not be affected.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 15, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 8, 2004)
The rule of strict construction shall have no application to the Kitsap County Building and Fire Code, but the same shall be liberally construed in order to carry out the purposes and objectives for which it is intended.
(Ord. 224 (1998) § 16, 1998; Ord. 323 (2004) § 9, 2004)