CITY OF SEATTLE ORDINANCE __________________ COUNCIL BILL __________________ AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Municipal Code Section 22.100.010; amending Sections 103, 106, 907, 908, 911, 1029, 1606, 1805, 3016 and 3107 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, to clarify regulations and adopt amendments consistent with Washington State regulations. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 1 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 103 ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES * * * 103.10 Administrative review by the building official. Prior to issuance of the building permit, (( A )) a pplicants may request administrative review by the building official of decisions or actions pertaining to the administration and enforcement of this code. Requests shall be addressed to the building official. 103.11 Administrative review by the Construction Codes Advisory Board. After administrative review by the building official, and prior to issuance of the building permit, (( A )) a pplicants may request review of decisions or actions pertaining to the application and interpretation of this code by the Construction Codes Advisory Board, except for stop work orders, notices of violations, revocations of permits, and enforcement of Section 3107. The review will be performed by three or more members of the Construction Codes Advisory Board, chosen by the Board Chair. The Chair shall consider the subject of the review and members' expertise when selecting members to conduct a review. The decision of the review panel is advisory only; the final decision is made by the building official. * * * SECTION 106 BUILDING PERMITS * * * 106.2 Work exempt from permit. A building permit is not required for the work listed below. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of the City. 1. Minor repairs or alterations that, as determined by the building official, cost the owner $6,000 or less in any six month period. Such repairs and alterations shall not include the removal, reduction, alteration, or relocation of any loadbearing support. Egress, light, ventilation, and fire-resistance shall not be reduced without a permit. 2. Minor work including the following, provided no changes are made to the building envelope: patio and concrete slabs on grade, painting or cleaning a building, repointing a chimney, installing kitchen cabinets, paneling or other surface finishes over existing wall and ceiling systems applied in accordance with Chapter 8, insulating existing buildings, abatement of hazardous materials, demolition of nonstructural interior tenant improvements in retail and office uses, and in-kind or similar replacement of or repair of deteriorated members of a structure. 3. One-story detached accessory buildings used for greenhouse, tool or storage shed, playhouse, or similar uses, if: 3.1 The projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet; and 3.2 The building is not placed on a concrete foundation other than a slab on grade. 4. Fences not over 8 feet high that do not have masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet. 5. Arbors and other open-framed landscape structures not exceeding 120 square feet in projected area. 6. Display cases, cabinets, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high. 7. Retaining walls and rockeries which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, if: 7.1 There is no surcharge or impoundment of Class I, II or III-A liquids. 7.2 Construction does not support soils in a steep slope area, potential landslide area or known slide area as identified in the Seattle Environmentally Critical Areas Ordinance Section 25.09.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code. 7.3 Possible failure would likely cause no damage to adjoining property or structures. 8. Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 18 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below. 9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery. 10. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3, and Group U occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches. 11. Prefabricated swimming pools, spas and similar equipment accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons. 12. Replacement of siding. This shall not include structural changes, replacement of sheathing or alterations to doors and windows. See Energy Code Sections R101.4.3, and C101.4.3 for requirements for existing buildings. 13. Roof recover . 14. Roof replacement (( Replacement of roofing materials ))under either of the following conditions: 14.1. In oneand two-family dwellings and townhouses if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation, and the insulation value is equivalent to or better than the existing structure; or 14.2. Where less than 500 square feet of roof sheathing or insulation is exposed within any 6 month period. Permits are required for structural changes and replacement of sheathing of any size. See Energy Code Sections R101.4.3 and C101.4.3 for insulation requirements for existing buildings. (( 14 )) 15 . School, park or private playground equipment including tree houses. (( 15 )) 16 . Removal and/or replacement of underground storage tanks that are subject to regulation by a state or federal agency.

(( 16 )) 17 . Installation of dish and panel antennas 6.56 feet (2 m) or less in diameter or diagonal measurement. (( 17 )) 18 . Water tanks not located in Environmentally Critical Areas that are supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1. * * * 106.13 Permits for temporary structures. 106.13.1 Tents and similar facilities used for 18 months or less. The building official may issue a permit to erect and maintain (( for a period not to exceed six months, ))a tent or other similar temporary structure to be used for religious services, conventions, circuses, carnivals, fairs, special sales or similar uses for a period not to exceed eighteen months. Exceptions: 1. Authority to issue permits is vested with the Fire Department for temporary tents and canopies meeting all of the following conditions: 1.1. The permit is for less than four weeks; 1.2. The temporary structure will be located 200 feet or more from shorelines; 1.3. No stage, platform, bleacher or similar structure greater than 4 feet in height will be installed inside any temporary structure; 1.4. No temporary structure will be attached to a building or other permanent structure for support; 1.5. The temporary structure is not proposed to be used during severe weather, and 1.6 The temporary structure is not of unusual shape, unusual location or large area or height.

106.13.1.1 Renewal. Permits issued pursuant to Section 106.13.1 are not renewable. 106.13.1.2 Subsequent permits. If the occupant load of the structure is 100 or more and is issued for less than 4 weeks, no more than one permit per tent vendor for each event shall be issued in any three-month period. 106.13.1.3 Removal. Such structures shall be removed before the expiration of the permit. 106.13.1.4 Requirements for tents and similar structures. The structure shall be subject to such reasonable safeguards for persons and property as the building official prescribes. The nature and extent of fireextinguishing equipment and decorations shall be subject to the requirements of the fire chief, and the sanitary facilities shall meet the requirements of the Director of Public Health. 106.13.1.5 Cash deposit or bond. The building official may require that removal of the structure be guaranteed by a cash deposit with the building official or by a surety bond, the amount of which, in either case, shall be fixed by the building official. The cash deposit or bond shall also be conditioned so that, if the occupant or owner fails to conform to any of the requirements of the City related to the erection, maintenance or removal of the tent or other structure, the building official may enter the premises and take steps necessary to make the structure conform to the requirements. The City shall be permitted to recover the cost thereof from the cash deposit or bond. * * * Section 2. Chapter 9 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 907 FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS * * * [F] 907.5.2.2 Emergency voice/alarm communication systems. Emergency voice/alarm communication systems required by this code shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 72. The operation of any automatic fire detector, sprinkler waterflow device or manual fire alarm box shall automatically sound an alert tone followed by voice instructions giving approved information and directions for a general or staged evacuation in accordance with the building's fire safety and evacuation plans required by Section 404 of the International Fire Code. In high-rise buildings, the system shall operate on a minimum of the alarming floor, the floor above and the two floor s below. Speakers shall be provided throughout the building by paging zones. At a minimum, paging zones shall be provided as follows: 1. Elevator groups. 2. Exit stairways. 3. Each floor. 4. Areas of refuge as defined in Section 1002.1. Exception: In Group I-1 and I-2 occupancies, the alarm shall sound in a constantly attended area and a general occupant notification shall be broadcast over the overhead page. * * * SECTION 908 EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS *** [W] [F] 908.7 Carbon monoxide alarms. Group I or R occupancies shall be equipped with single-station carbon monoxide alarms installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units or sleeping units and on each level of the dwelling. The carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed as complying with UL 2034 and be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 720 and the manufacturer's instructions. Exceptions: 1. For other than (( R-3 )) R-2 occupancies, the building does not contain a fuelburning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace, or an attached garage; or 2. Sleeping units or dwelling units in I and R-1 occupancies and R-2 college dormitories, hotel s , Washington State Department of Corrections prisons and work release facilities, and DSHS licensed boarding home and residential treatment facility occupancies which do not themselves contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace or have an attached garage, need not be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms provided that: 2.1. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not adjacent to any room which contains a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace or an attached garage; and 2.2. The sleeping unit or dwelling unit is not connected by duct work or ventilation shafts with a supply or return register in the same room to any room containing a fuel-burning appliance, a fuel-burning fireplace or to an attached garage; 2.3. The building is equipped with a common area carbon monoxide detection system; 3. An open parking garage, or enclosed parking garage ventilated in accordance with Section 404 of the International Mechanical Code shall not be deemed to be an attached garage. [F] 908.7.1 Carbon monoxide detection systems. Carbon monoxide detection systems, which include carbon monoxide detectors and audible notification appliances, installed and maintained in accordance with this section for carbon monoxide alarms and NFPA 720 shall be permitted. The carbon monoxide detectors shall be listed as complying with UL 2075. * * * SECTION 911 FIRE COMMAND CENTER [F] 911.1 General. Where required by other sections of this code and in all buildings classified as high-rise buildings by this code, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided and shall comply with Sections 911.1.1 through 911.1.5. [F] 911.1.1 Location and access. The location and accessibility of the fire command center shall be approved by the fire code official. [W] [F] 911.1.2 Separation. The fire command center shall be separated from the remainder of the building by not less than a (( 1 )) 2 -hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. *** Section 3. Chapter 10 of the Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 1029 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE 1029.1 General. In addition to the means of egress required by this chapter, provisions shall be made for emergency escape and rescue openings in 1. Group R-2 occupancies in accordance with Tables 1021.2(1) and 1021.2(2) , 2. Buildings designed with a single exit according to Section 1021.2, Exception 9, and 3. Group R-3 occupancies. Basements and sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall have at least one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency escape and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way. Exceptions: 1. Basements with a ceiling height of less than 80 inches (2032 mm) shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings. 2. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court or exterior exit balcony that opens to a public way. 3. Basements without habitable spaces and having no more than 200 square feet (18.6 m ² ) in floor area shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings. * * * Section 4. Chapter 16 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 1606 DEAD LOADS * * * 1606.3 Solar zone for solar-ready roof. Where a solar zone is required by the International Energy Conservation Code, the roof shall be designed for an assumed dead load of 5 pounds per square foot in addition to other required live and dead loads. An area of 2 square feet for each 1000 square feet of solar zone area shall be designed for an assumed dead load of 175 pounds per square foot. If the actual weight of the system at the time of installation exceeds the assumed loads in this section, the actual weight shall be used to verify the adequacy of the roof structure. This area shall be located within or adjacent to the solar zone. The as-designed dead load and live load for the solar zone shall be clearly marked on the construction documents.

* * * Section 5. Chapter 18 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 1805 DAMPPROOFING AND WATERPROOFING * * * 1805.4 Subsoil drainage system. Where a hydrostatic pressure condition does not exist, dampproofing shall be provided and a base shall be installed under the floor and a drain installed around the foundation perimeter. A subsoil drainage system designed and constructed in accordance with Section 1805.1.3 shall be deemed adequate for lowering the groundwater table. 1805.4.1 Floor base course. Floors of basements, except as provided for in Section 1805.1.1, shall be placed over a floor base course not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in thickness that consists of gravel or crushed stone containing not more than 10 percent of material that passes through a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve. Exception: Where a site is located in well-drained gravel or sand/gravel mixture soils, a floor base course is not required. 1805.4.2 Foundation drain. A drain shall be placed around the perimeter of a foundation that consists of gravel or crushed stone containing not more than 10-percent material that passes through a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve. The drain shall extend a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) beyond the outside edge of the footing. The thickness shall be such that the bottom of the drain is not higher than the bottom of the base under the floor, and that the top of the drain is not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the top of the footing. The top of the drain shall be covered with an approved filter membrane material. Where a drain tile or perforated pipe is used, the invert of the pipe or tile shall not be higher than the floor elevation. The top of joints or the top of perforations shall be protected with an approved filter membrane material. The pipe or tile shall be placed on not less than 2 inches (51 mm) of gravel or crushed stone complying with Section 1805.4.1, and shall be covered with not less than 6 inches (152 mm) of the same material. 1805.4.3 Drainage discharge. The floor base and foundation perimeter drain shall discharge by gravity or mechanical means into an approved drainage system that complies with the Seattle Stormwater Code and the (( International )) Uniform Plumbing Code. (( Exception: Where a site is located in well-drained gravel or sand/gravel mixture soils, a dedicated drainage system is not required. )) * * * Section 6. Chapter 30 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * SECTION 3016 NEW INSTALLATIONS -CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS * * * 3016.12 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher. (( In buildings four stories or more in height, and in buildings that are required to have an elevator and contain Group R-1, R-2 or I occupancies on a level other than the level of exit discharge, at least one elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. )) At least one elevator shall provide fire department emergency access to all floors for either of the following conditions: 1. an elevator is provided in buildings four stories or more above or below grade plane; or 2. an elevator is required in buildings that contain Group R-1, R-2 or I occupancies on a level other than the level of exit discharge. The elevator car shall be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate a 24-inch by 84-inch (610 mm by 2134 mm) ambulance stretcher with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of life). The symbol shall not be less than 3 inches (76 mm) in height and shall be placed inside on both sides of the hoistway door frame. Exception: Elevators are not required in Group R-3 occupancies and within dwelling units.

Section 7. Chapter 31 of the 2012 Seattle Building Code, which Chapter was last amended by Ordinance 124273, is amended as follows: * * * 3107.4 Permits. 3107.4.1 Permits required. A permit issued by the building official is required before any sign is erected, constructed, painted, posted, applied, altered, structurally revised or repaired, except as provided in this chapter. A permit is required for existing signs when a different business entity uses the sign. 3107.4.2 Specific rules. 1. Permits are required for signs located within the interior of the building that are not visible from the public right-of-way when: 1.1. The sign is mounted within an interior shared pedestrian mall of a multi-tenant retail facility and is located over or adjoining the pedestrian walking surface; or 1.2. When the sign is greater than 5 square feet (0.46 m ² ) in area; or 1.3 When it is an electric sign; 2. Permits are not required for the changing of the advertising copy or message on lawfully erected signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy unless a different business entity uses the sign; 3. Permits are not required for the normal maintenance such as painting, repainting, cleaning and repairing, unless a structural or electrical change is made or a different business entity uses the sign; 4. Permits are required for on-premises signs if they are electric signs; or have an area of 5 square feet (0.46 m ² ) or more; (( and not located entirely on private property; )) 5. Permits are not required for signs for public facilities indicating danger or providing service or safety information. * * * Section 8. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020. Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2014, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of ___________________, 2014. _________________________________ President __________of the City Council Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2014. _________________________________ Edward B. Murray, Mayor Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2014. ____________________________________ Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk (Seal) Maureen Traxler DPD 2014 Seattle Building Code Update ORD July 21, 2014 Version #3