Section 105 of the International Building Code is amended as follows:

105.1 Required. Any owner or 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 electrical,

gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or cause such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. A building permit shall also be required for the installation or structural modification of a sign which will be attached to building or be self supporting with the top of the sign over 36 inches above grade. The issuance of a building permit for the installation or structural modification of a sign does not exempt the applicant from obtaining the necessary sign permit.

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105.2 Work exempt from permit: 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 jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building:

1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, play houses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m²).

2. Fences not over 6 feet (1,829 mm) high.

3. Oil derricks.

4. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1,219 mm) 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 (18,925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

6. Sidewalks, driveways and platforms not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.

7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.

9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, as applicable in Section 101.2, which are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.

10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems.

11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one and two family dwellings.

12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R-3, as applicable in Section 101.2 and Group U occupancies.

13. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1,753 mm) in height.

14. All interior signs, flags, pennants, streamers, banners, balloons, inflatable signs, the painting of a sign on glazing, the change of a sign plastic face and other nonstructural modifications to a sign which is attached to a building or nonstructural modifications to a self supported sign. This exception does not exempt the applicant from obtaining the necessary sign permit.

Electrical:

Electrical permits, inspections and approvals shall be under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Electrical Section.

Gas:

1. Portable heating appliance.

2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.

Mechanical:

1. Portable heating appliance.

2. Portable ventilation equipment.

3. Portable cooling unit.

4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.

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 (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.

Plumbing:

1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work 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.

105.3. Application for permit.

A. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file a written application on a form furnished by the City for that purpose. A complete building permit application shall consist of the following information:

1. The legal description and tax parcel number(s) and the street address of the property;

2. The property owner’s name, address, and phone number;

3. A description of the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;

4. The proposed use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;

5. The valuation of the proposed work; and

6. Evidence of potable water and a sewer/septic connection.

7. All materials and information required by IBC Section 106.

B. For all projects with a valuation in excess of five thousand dollars, the following additional information shall be required in accordance with RCW 19.27.095:

1. The prime contractor’s business name, address, phone number, current state contractor registration number; and

2. 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;

3. A SEPA Checklist, and any other information required to demonstrate compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act, as adopted by the city under GHMC Title 18;

C. If the information required by IBC Section 105.3(B)(1) and (B)(2) above are not available at the time the application is submitted, the applicant shall so state and the application shall be processed forthwith and the permit issued as if the information had been supplied, and the lack of the information shall not cause the application to be deemed incomplete for the purposes of vesting. However, the applicant shall provide the remaining information as soon as the applicant can reasonably obtain such information.

105.3.1 Action on application. The director shall review the application according to the procedures in GHMC 19.02.003, and shall issue the building permit within the deadline required by GHMC 19.05.009. If the application or the construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the director shall deny such application in writing, stating the reasons therefor. If the director is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this code and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the director shall issue a permit therefor as soon as practicable.

105.3.2 Time limitation on application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or the permit has been issued; except that the director is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

Any permit application that has been approved by the director but for whatever reason has not been issued within a period of 180 days after approval shall be deemed to have expired. If an update in code editions in accordance with Chapter 51-50 WAC occurs after expiration, application for a new permit must be submitted with new construction documents demonstrating compliance with the appropriate code provisions as enumerated in 51-50 WAC and GHMC Title 15.

105.3.3 Vesting. A valid and fully complete building permit application for a structure, that is permitted under the zoning or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date the application shall be considered under the building permit ordinance in effect at the time of application, and the zoning or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date of application.

105.4 Validity of permit. 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 of the jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents or 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 jurisdiction.

Multiunit residential buildings: The building official is not charged with determining whether building enclosure design documents are adequate or appropriate to satisfy the requirements of EHB 1848. Nothing in EHB 1848 or this code requires the building official to review, approve or disapprove enclosure documents.

105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. Before such work recommences, a new permit shall be first obtained and the fee, therefor, shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made in the original construction documents for such work and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.

The director is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing prior to the expiration of the permit and justifiable cause demonstrated.