The regulations contained in this chapter shall be known as the construction administrative code of the City, and are hereinafter referred to as “this code.”
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the administration, organization and enforcement of the technical codes adopted by the City.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of this code shall apply to the administration of the technical codes as adopted by the state of Washington and listed:
A. 
2021 International Building Code - Chapter 51-50 WAC;
B. 
2021 International Residential Code - Chapter 51-51 WAC;
C. 
2021 International Mechanical Code - Chapter 51-52 WAC;
D. 
2021 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) - Chapter 51-52 WAC;
E. 
2020 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58) - Chapter 51-52 WAC;
F. 
2021 International Fuel Gas Code - Chapter 51-52 WAC;
G. 
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code - Chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC;
H. 
2021 International Existing Building Code - WAC 51-50-480000;
I. 
2021 Washington State Energy Code - Chapters 51-11C and 51-11R WAC;
J. 
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code - WAC 51-50-3109 and 51-51-0329.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0610 § 1 (Exh. A))
For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinary accepted meanings within the context with which they are used. Webster’s Third International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, latest edition, shall be considered as providing ordinary accepted meanings. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and the feminine the masculine.
A. 
“Action”
means a specific response complying fully with a specific request by the City.
B. 
“Building service equipment”
means and refers to the plumbing, mechanical and electrical equipment including piping, wiring, fixtures, and other accessories which provide sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, firefighting, and transportation facilities essential to the occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use.
C. 
“Complete response”
means an adequate response to all requests from City staff in sufficient detail to allow the application to be processed.
D. 
“Energy code”
means the Washington State Energy Code promulgated by the Washington State Building Code Council as adopted by the City.
E. 
“IBC”
means the latest edition of the International Building Code promulgated by the International Code Council as adopted by this City.
F. 
“IEBC”
means the latest edition of the International Existing Building Code promulgated by the International Code Council as adopted by this City.
G. 
“IMC”
means the latest edition of the International Mechanical Code promulgated by the International Code Council as adopted by this City.
H. 
“IRC”
means the latest edition of the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings promulgated by the International Code Council as adopted by this City.
I. 
“ISPSC”
means the latest edition of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code promulgated by the International Code Council as adopted by this City.
J. 
“KPMC”
means Kenmore Property Maintenance Code.
K. 
“Minor field change”
means a change to an approved plan that does not change the building use, area, height, or location on a lot and does not affect the means of egress, accessibility, or structural design and does not add plumbing or mechanical fixtures or appliances.
L. 
“NEC”
means the edition of the National Electrical Code promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association as adopted by this City.
M. 
“Occupancy”
means the purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.
N. 
“Shall,”
as used in this chapter, is mandatory.
O. 
“Temporary growing structure”
means a structure that has the sides and roof covered with polyethylene, polyvinyl, or similar flexible synthetic material and is used to provide plants with either frost protection or increased heat retention.
P. 
“Temporary worker housing”
means a place, area, or piece of land where sleeping places or housing sites are provided by an employer for his or her employees or by another person, including a temporary worker housing operator who is providing such accommodations for employees, for temporary, seasonal occupancy, and includes “labor camps” under RCW 70.54.110.
Q. 
“UPC”
means the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code promulgated by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials as adopted by this City.
R. 
“Valuation” or “value,”
as applied to a building or building service equipment, means and shall be the estimated cost to replace the building and its building service equipment in kind, based on current replacement costs. It shall also include the contractor’s overhead and profit.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 23-0577 § 5 (Exh. A); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of safety, health and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation, and for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions, and to provide a reasonable level of safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The codes listed in KMC § 15.30.020 and referenced elsewhere in this code shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the International Building Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.
Exception: Detached one-and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories above grade plane in height with separate means of egress, and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height, shall comply with the International Building Code or the International Residential Code.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of detached one-and two-family dwellings, adult family homes, and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with separate means of egress and their accessory structures not more than three stories above grade plane in height.
Exceptions:
A. 
Live/work units located in townhomes and complying with the requirements of Section 508.5 of the International Building Code shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings. An automatic sprinkler system required by Section 508.5.7 of the International Building Code when constructed under the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings shall conform to Appendix AWU.
B. 
Owner-occupied lodging houses with one or two guestrooms shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings.
C. 
Owner-occupied lodging homes with three to five guestrooms shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings when equipped with a fire sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix AWU.
D. 
A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial care within a dwelling unit shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings where equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix AWU.
E. 
A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care within a dwelling unit shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings where equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix AWU.
F. 
A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving care that are within a single-family dwelling shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings where equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Appendix AWU.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the International Mechanical Code shall apply to the design, installation, maintenance, alteration, and inspection of mechanical systems that are permanently installed and utilized to provide control of environmental conditions and related processes within buildings. The International Mechanical Code shall also regulate those mechanical systems, system components, equipment and appliances specifically addressed herein. The installation of fuel gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the International Fuel Gas Code. References to Group R shall include Group I-1, Condition 2 assisted living facilities licensed by Washington State under Chapter 388-78A WAC and Group I-1, Condition 2 residential treatment facilities licensed by Washington State under Chapter 246-337 WAC.
Exceptions:
A. 
Detached one-and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the International Residential Code.
B. 
The standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) and NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code).
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the National Fuel Gas Code and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 54 and 58) shall apply to the installation of all materials and equipment utilizing liquid propane gas.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code shall apply to the installation of fuel gas piping systems, fuel gas utilization equipment, gaseous hydrogen systems and regulated accessories.
Exceptions:
A. 
Detached one-and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) not more than three stories high with separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the International Residential Code.
B. 
The standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) and NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code).
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code shall apply to the installation, alteration, repair and replacement of plumbing systems, including equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings and appurtenances, where connected to a water or sewage system and all aspects of a medical gas system. Fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems shall be regulated by the International Fuel Gas Code and liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be regulated by NFPA 58 and NFPA 54.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the energy code shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.
(Ord. 10-0310 § 4 (Exh. C); Ord. 13-0360 § 6 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The provisions of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair and maintenance of aquatic recreation facilities, pools and spas. The pools and spas covered by this code are either permanent or temporary, and shall be only those that are designed and manufactured to be connected to a circulation system and that are intended for swimming, bathing or wading. Swimming pools, spas and other aquatic recreation facilities shall comply with the ISPSC, where the facility is one of the following, except that public swimming pool barriers are regulated by WAC 246-260-031(4):
A. 
For the sole use of residents and invited guests at a single-family dwelling;
B. 
For the sole use of residents and invited guests of a duplex owned by the residents; or
C. 
Operated exclusively for physical therapy or rehabilitation and under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.
All other “water recreation facilities” as defined in RCW 70.90.110 are regulated under Chapters 246-260 and 246-262 WAC.
(Ord. 16-0423 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 20-0518 § 4 (Exh. D); Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))