Form revised December 5, 2005

FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS

Department:	Contact Person/Phone:	DOF Analyst/Phone:
DPD	Maureen Traxler/233-3892	Amanda Allen/ 684-8894

Legislation Title:

An ordinance relating to the Seattle Residential Code, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.150; amending Chapter 1, Administration; Chapter 3, Building Planning; Chapter 10, Chimneys and Fireplaces; and Chapter 21, Hydronic Piping.

· Summary of the Legislation:

This Bill adopts amendments to the 2003 Seattle Residential Code that clarify and correct the existing Code, and implements State Building Code Council decisions on local residential amendments.

· Background::

This is one of three companion bills that correct and clarify the Seattle Building, Residential, and Mechanical Codes, which were first adopted in 2004.

Several of the provisions of this legislation are generated by actions of the State Building Code Council (SBCC).  According to the State Building Code Act, RCW 19.27.060, jurisdictions must submit all local amendments that affect small residential buildings as defined in the Act for SBCC approval.  This legislation deletes three amendments that were not approved. 

Other provisions of the legislation clarify and correct the Residential Code.  The International Residential Code was adopted in Seattle and throughout the rest of Washington for the first time in 2004.  As we have gained experience with the new Code, we have found that some sections need to be clarified.  A detailed list of proposed changes is attached.

· Please check one of the following:

__X__ This legislation does not have any financial implications.

Attachment 1:  Detailed List of Proposed Changes to 2003 Seattle Building Code

Detailed List of Proposed Changes to 2003 Seattle Building Code

Section	Subject	Description of amendment
R101.2	Purpose of Code	Note is added that explains the relationship between the Residential Code and the Housing and Building Maintenance Code
R101.3	Scope of Code	A Seattle interpretation is revised to further clarify that duplexes may share a garage
R105.2	Work exempt from permits	Clarification of the provision exempting reroofing work on one- and two-family buildings from building permit requirements
R109	Existing Buildings	A new section is added with specific provisions for alterations and additions to existing buildings that are within the scope of the IRC.  The current code provision requiring that IRC buildings comply with the existing buildings provisions of the Seattle Building Code has proven inadequate
R304, R306	Minimum Room Areas, Sanitation	Removes amendments that were disapproved by SBCC.  Amendments had specified minimum room sizes in dwellings, access to toilet rooms, and equipment required in kitchens
R317	Dwelling Unit Separation	Adopts an erratum published by the International Code Council that clarifies parapet requirements
R1003	Masonry Fireplaces	Removes amendments that were within the scope of State Building Code Council review but were not submitted
Chapter 21	Hydronic Piping	Adopts the IRC chapter on hydronic piping.  Chapter was deleted in original adoption of IRC due to mistaken belief that the Plumbing Code governed piping that serves boilers and hot-water heating systems

Attachment 1 to the Fiscal Note