Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
(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 not apply to work located primarily in a public way, public utility towers and poles and hydraulic flood control structures. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this City. Permits shall not be required for the following, provided it is not located within critical areas, shorelines, associated buffers, or native growth protection areas (e.g., tracts):
A. 
Building.
1. 
One-story detached accessory structures accessory to residential buildings constructed under the provisions of the IRC used as tool and storage sheds, tree-supported play structures, playhouse and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet, and the structure is located in accordance with all land use regulations including but not limited to Chapter 18.30.230.Q;
2. 
Fences not over eight feet high;
3. 
Oil derricks;
4. 
Retaining walls which are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids;
5. 
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1;
6. 
Sidewalks, driveways, decks and steps not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route;
7. 
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work; provided, that existing, required accessible features are not altered;
8. 
Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery;
9. 
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a one-and two-family dwelling or Group R3 occupancy, which are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground;
10. 
Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems;
11. 
Swings, slides and other similar playground equipment;
12. 
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of one-and two-family dwellings or Group R-3 and Group U occupancies which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support;
13. 
Nonfixed and movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches in height;
14. 
Satellite earth station antennas six and one-half feet or less in diameter or diagonal dimensions in zones other than residential zones;
15. 
Satellite earth station antennas three and one-quarter feet or less in diameter in residential zones;
16. 
Video programming service antennas three and one-quarter feet or less in diameter or diagonal dimension, regardless of zone;
17. 
Replacement of nonstructural siding on IRC structures except for veneer, stucco, or exterior finish and insulation systems (EFIS);
18. 
In-kind window replacement for IRC structures where no alteration of framing members is required and when the window U-values meet the prescriptive requirements within the energy code;
19. 
Job shacks that are placed at a permitted job site during construction may be allowed on a temporary basis and shall be removed upon final approval of construction. A job shack is a portable structure for which the primary purpose is to house equipment and supplies, and which may serve as a temporary office during construction for the purposes of the construction activity;
20. 
In-kind reroofing on IRC structures, provided roof sheathing is not removed, replaced or added; and
21. 
Photovoltaic solar panels installed on structures, provided they comply with all land use regulations and:
a. 
Each photovoltaic array is no larger than 150 feet by 150 feet in either axis;
b. 
Total dead load of panels, supports, mountings, raceways and all other appurtenances weigh no more than four pounds per square foot;
c. 
Panels are mounted no higher than 18 inches above the surface of the roof;
d. 
The equipment layout meets the IFC access and pathways requirements.
B. 
Mechanical.
1. 
Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances.
2. 
Portable ventilation appliances and equipment.
3. 
Portable cooling unit.
4. 
Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment or appliances regulated by the construction codes.
5. 
Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. 
Portable evaporative cooler.
7. 
Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of one horsepower or less.
8. 
Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected.
C. 
Plumbing.
1. 
The stopping and/or repairing of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that should any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe become defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, the same shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. 
The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
3. 
Reinstallation or replacement of prefabricated fixtures that do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves or pipes.
(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))
Where equipment replacements and equipment repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.
(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))
Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
(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))
To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file a complete application as defined by the City therefor in writing on a form furnished by the department for that purpose. Such application shall:
A. 
Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.
B. 
Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
C. 
Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
D. 
Be accompanied by construction documents and other information as required in KMC § 15.30.260 through 15.30.325.
E. 
State the valuation of the proposed work.
F. 
Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
G. 
Give such other data and information as required by the department.
(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))
A. 
No application for building permit relating to any construction, including landfill or pier and piling to support same upon privately owned shorelands submerged by the water of Lake Washington, shall be accepted for filing with the building department, unless there are attached to such application certified copies of the approval of such project by such state and federal agencies as may have jurisdiction or regulatory authority over such proposed project.
B. 
The requirements for a fully complete building permit application include compliance with KMC § 15.30.220 and RCW 19.27.097 (which relates to water supply); provided, that for any construction project costing more than $5,000 the following shall also be required:
1. 
The legal description, or the tax parcel number assigned pursuant to RCW 84.40.160, and the street address if available, and may include any other identification of the construction site by the prime contractor;
2. 
The property owner’s name, address, and phone number;
3. 
The prime contractor’s business name, address, phone number, and current state contractor registration number; and
4. 
Either:
a. 
The name, address and phone number of the office of the lender administering the interim construction financing, if any, or
b. 
The name and address of the firm that has issued a payment bond, if any, on behalf of the prime contractor for the protection of the owner, if the bond is for an amount not less than 50 percent of the total amount of the construction project; provided, that if any of this information is not available at the time the application is submitted, the applicant shall so state and the lack of said information shall not cause the application to be deemed incomplete for the purposes of this section. However, the applicant shall provide the remaining information as soon as the applicant can reasonably obtain such information.
The requirements for a fully complete building permit application include a consent statement of the property owner to confirm dedication of rights-of-way which abut the subject property, if any are shown as such on City, county or plat maps, and to verify the designation of public road easements as rights-of-way.
(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 building official shall examine or cause to be examined applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after filing. If the application is incomplete or the construction documents or other submittal information does not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the building official may reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor. If the building official is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this code and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the building official shall issue a permit therefor as soon as practicable.
(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))
A. 
Applications for which no permit is issued within 18 months following the date of application shall expire by limitation and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed in accordance with state law by the building official.
B. 
Applications may be canceled for inactivity, if an applicant fails to respond to the department’s written request for revisions, corrections, actions or additional information within 90 days of the date of request. The building official may extend the response period beyond 90 days if within the original 90-day time period the applicant provides and subsequently adheres to an approved schedule with specific target dates for submitting the full revisions, corrections or other information needed by the department.
C. 
The building official may extend the life of an application if any of the following conditions exist:
1. 
Compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act is in progress; or
2. 
Any other City review is in progress; provided the applicant has submitted a complete response to City requests or the building official determines that unique or unusual circumstances exist that warrant additional time for such response, and the building official determines that the review is proceeding in a timely manner toward final City decision;
3. 
Litigation against the City or applicant is in progress, the outcome of which may affect the validity or the provisions of any permit issued pursuant to such application; or
4. 
At the sole discretion of the building official when there have not been newly adopted codes, fees, ordinances or laws which affect the application.
(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 construction codes and construction administrative code that are in effect when the building permit application is deemed complete by the building official shall apply. The city has the authority to establish policies and procedures for establishing the requirements of a complete application. For mechanical, plumbing or fire permit applications submitted after the ordinance codified in this title has taken effect, but related to the scope of work identified in a building permit application that was complete prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, all applicable construction codes adopted and in force at the time of filing of the complete building permit application will apply. An expired permit may lose its code vesting under KMC § 15.30.240.
(Ord. 24-0602 § 4 (Exh. D))
The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or of any other ordinance or laws of the City. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the City shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the building official from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents and other data. The building official is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure where in violation of this code or of any other ordinances of this 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))
A. 
Every building permit and its associated ancillary permits issued for an IRC-permitted structure or for a tenant space within an existing building shall expire in two years from the date of issuance. Within two years of the issuance of the permit for an IRC structure, the outside must be complete including roofing, siding, windows, exterior doors and applicable site and right-of-way improvements. Unless otherwise approved by the building official, the two years to complete the IRC structure exterior work may not be extended.
B. 
Every building permit and its associated ancillary permits issued for a commercial, educational, institutional, multifamily, public, industrial or similar structure shall expire in three years from the date of issuance.
C. 
Sign permits and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits not associated with a building permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance.
D. 
The building official may grant a 30-day extension of time for permits when only the final inspection is remaining and all other work has been approved.
E. 
It is a violation of this chapter to allow a permit to expire without first obtaining an approved final inspection.
Exception 1: A new building permit issued to complete the work of an IRC structure, issued under a previous permit shall expire in:
1. 
Six months if the framing inspection was not approved on the previous building permit. The project will lose its original code vesting and will be vested to the codes that are in force at the time the new building permit application is deemed complete. The fees for the new building permit will be based on the valuation of the work remaining to complete the project and current fee resolution; or
2. 
Six months if the framing inspection was approved under the previous building permit and the exterior of the structure is not completed including; roofing, siding, windows, exterior doors and applicable site and right-of-way improvements. The project will retain its original code vesting. The fees for the new building permit will be based on the valuation of the work remaining to complete the project and current fee resolution; or
3. 
Two years if the outside of the structure is complete including roofing, siding, windows, exterior doors and applicable site and right-of-way improvements. The fees for the new building permit will be based on the valuation of the work remaining to complete the project and current fee resolution.
Exception 2: For permits resulting from work without a permit or other code enforcement action(s), the expiration date will be determined by the building official.
F. 
During or after a declared emergency covered under Chapter 38.52 RCW, the building official may authorize a six-month extension to an unexpired permit if the building official finds that the state of emergency resulted in a stoppage of work or substantial construction delays.
G. 
The provisions of this section apply retroactively to all permits regulated by this code.
(Ord. 09-0301 § 1 (Att. A); 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 building official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of 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 building permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project.
(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))