Form revised December 4, 2006
FISCAL NOTE FOR NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS
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Department: |
Contact Person/Phone: |
DOF Analyst/Phone: |
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Planning and Development |
Maureen Traxler/3-3892 |
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Legislation Title: |
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Residential Code, amending Section 22.150.010, and adopting by reference Chapters 2 through 10, 12 through 24, 43, and Appendices F and G of the 2006 International Residential Code with errata published by the International Code Council, and amending certain of those chapters; adopting a new Chapter 1 for the Seattle Residential Code related to administration, permitting and enforcement; and repealing Sections 2 -27 of Ordinance 121521 and Sections 1-5 and 7-11 of Ordinance 122047. |
· Summary of the Legislation:
This Bill adopts the 2006 International Residential Code with Seattle amendments. It is part of a group of several companion Bills that regulate construction and use of buildings in the City of Seattle. The Code establishes construction standards for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
· Background: (Include brief description of the purpose and context of legislation and include record of previous legislation and funding history, if applicable):
The International Residential Code is adopted statewide according to the State Building Code Act, RCW 19.27. Seattle adds local interpretations and a chapter on administration and enforcement.
· Please check one of the following:
_X___ This legislation does not have any financial implications. (Stop here and delete the remainder of this document prior to saving and printing.)
Att 1. Changes in Seattle Amendments
Attachment A
Changes in Seattle amendments—2006 Seattle Residential Code
Note: This list includes changes proposed for the Seattle amendments to the International Residential Code. Amendments that are carried forward from the 2003 Seattle Residential Code are not listed; differences between the 2003 and 2006 editions of the International Residential Code are not listed.
Chapter 1 Administration
R101.2 Scope. The note is clarified to include standards other than the IBC as acceptable for seismic design of residences of more than two stories.
R102.2 & R102.3 The sections on emergency and hazard correction orders are revised to require the orders to specify a date certain by which deficiencies in the buildings subject to the orders must be corrected.
R103.3 The procedures for “review by the director” for notices of violation are revised to conform to recent judicial decisions, and so that they clearly apply to permit revocations.
R103.5.2 A section is added stating that civil actions to enforce the code must be brought in Municipal Court.
R103.6 The code is revised to clarify that criminal penalties are an alternative to civil penalties.
R104.4.3 A procedure for review by the director of stop work orders is added.
Several sections. The terms “registered design professional” and “design professional in responsible charge” replace “architect of record” and “engineer of record”. Both new terms are used in IBC.
R105.5.2.2 Clarification is added to explain when a design professional’s stamp is required on applications.
R105.6.2 An exception is added stating that approval of the building official is not required for modifications to issued permits when the scope of work proposed in the modification by itself wouldn’t require a permit.
R105.9.4 Permits may be revoked or suspended if permit is issued on basis of incomplete information. The procedure that DPD must follow is specified, including an opportunity for the permit holder to challenge the revocation.
R105.15.3 A procedure for review by the director is added for notices of revocation.
R107.3 Those who request inspections are required to provide safety equipment for inspectors.
Chapter 2 Definitions
Definitions of “architect”, “engineer”, “project architect or engineer” and “structural engineer of record” are deleted. The Seattle Code adopts the term “registered design professional” and “design professional in responsible charge”, as used in the IBC.
The definition of “dwelling unit” is revised to include adult family homes, foster care homes, home day cares, and home occupations. The effect of this change is that buildings containing those uses may be constructed according to the IRC instead of the IBC which requires sprinkler systems.
The definition of “existing structure” is revised so that buildings are not considered “existing” until after they have passed a final inspection. The IBC defines buildings as existing as soon as a permit is issued, which could allow revisions made during construction to be subject to older codes.
A definition of “small business” taken from the Washington State Residential Code is added. The definition is used to describe the businesses that are not required to comply with a new window testing standard.
An interpretation is added to the definition of “townhouse” to clarify that townhouses must have yards, driveway, parking lots or public ways on at least two sides.
Chapter 3 Building Planning
Table R301.2(1) The title of the first column in the table is changed from “ground snow load” to “roof snow load” to more accurately describe the data found in the column.
R317.2.1 A provision from the Washington State Residential Code is added that clarifies what fire protection is required for cantilevered upper stories of a residence.
R327 A provision of the Washington State Residential Code is added that adopts IRC Appendix F to govern radon mitigation measures. Radon provisions are deleted from the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code.
R328 A provision of the Washington State Residential Code is added that adopts Appendix G of the IRC to govern pools and hot tubs.
R332.6 Specific provisions related to standpipes for floating homes are deleted to reflect current practices.
R332.15 The 2003 SRC excludes floating home flotation from compliance with the Residential Code. In the 2006 Code, floatation will be subject to the Code. This code change reflects DPD’s practice. The Code does not contain standards applicable to floatation, so applicants will comply with other standards.
Chapter 4 Foundations
R402.2 An interpretation is added stating that specific sack mixes of concrete are deemed to be equivalent to the code for resistance to weathering. These sack mixes have been accepted in Seattle for many years.
R403 and R404 Several amendments are taken from the Washington State Residential Code that clarify the IRC provisions for braced wall panels. This ordinance incorporates an emergency rule adopted by the State Building Code Council on August 10, 2007. The emergency rule corrects an inadvertent omission of provisions requiring that bearing walls be anchored to the foundation.
R404.1 A provision is deleted that forbids jurisdictions from requiring an engineer to stamp plans for concrete foundation walls designed according to certain technical standards.
R408 A Washington State Residential Code amendment is adopted that coordinates Energy Code and Residential Code requirements for underfloor ventilation.
Chapter 6 Wall Construction
As in Chapter 4, several amendments are taken from the Washington State Residential Code that clarify the IRC provisions for braced wall panels.
An exception from the State Residential Code that relieves small window manufacturers from some testing requirements is adopted.
Chapter 8 Roof-ceiling Construction
R806.4 Provisions relating to insulation in attics are deleted. The provisions are in conflict with the Energy Code.