23.05.100 Permit issuance.
A. Issuance.
1. The application and construction documents filed by an applicant for permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of the city to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this chapter and the technical codes and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in BCC 23.05.120 have been paid, and the applicant is the correct person to whom a permit may be issued as defined in this chapter, the building official shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.
2. When a permit is issued when plans are required, the building official shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications “Approved.” Approved construction documents shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorizations from the building official, and all work regulated by this chapter and the technical codes shall be done in accordance with the approved construction documents.
3. The building official may issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure or building service equipment before the construction documents for the whole building, structure or building service equipment have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this chapter and the technical codes. The holder of such partial permit shall proceed at the holder’s own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire building, structure or building service will be granted.
B. To Whom Permit Issued. Permits shall be issued only to a person, firm or corporation who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the building official that he/she is properly licensed, or exempt, as required by Chapter 18.27 RCW, or for electrical contractors, as required by Chapter 19.28 RCW, now or as hereafter amended, or to a person doing work at his/her own residence or place of business or other property owned by him/her; provided further, no such person, firm or corporation shall employ any unlicensed person, firm or corporation to perform the work authorized by the permit.
C. Retention of Plans. One set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the building official for the period required by law, and one set of approved construction documents shall be returned to the applicant and shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.
D. 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 chapter or the technical codes or of any other ordinance of the city. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter, the technical codes, 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 which is in violation of this chapter, the technical codes, or of any other ordinances of the city.
E. Expiration of Permit.2
1. Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one year from the date of such permit issuance, or if work authorized by the issued permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days or more after the work is commenced. The building official may extend single-family permits that have expired under this section for additional periods of up to 180 days at his sole discretion, provided:
a. No significant changes have or will be made to the originally approved plans and specifications for the approved work; and
b. No permit shall be extended past the maximum limit stated in subsection (E)(2) of this section from the date of permit issuance.
2. Permits issued under which work is started and continuously performed, and the necessary periodic inspections are made, such that the permit does not expire according to subsection (E)(1) of this section, shall expire by limitation and become null and void three years from the date of such permit issuance, except that the building official may grant single-family permits one extension of up to 90 days at his sole discretion.
3. For permits other than single-family permits, when only the final inspection approval is remaining and all other work has been approved, the building official may grant one 90-day extension of time past the expiration date for permits stated in subsection (E)(1) or (E)(2) of this section to allow the final inspection to occur.
4. The time extensions provided in this section shall not apply to any properties that are the subject of an active request for voluntary compliance or civil violation proceeding under Chapter 1.18 BCC.
F. Suspension or Revocation.
1. The building official may revoke or suspend the permit provided for in this section whenever:
a. The permittee requests such revocation or suspension;
b. The work does not proceed in accordance with the construction documents, as approved, or is not in compliance with the requirements of this section, the technical codes or other city ordinances;
c. Entry upon the property for the purpose of investigation or inspection has been denied;
d. The permittee has made a misrepresentation of a material fact in applying for such permit;
e. The progress of the work indicates that the plan is or will be inadequate to protect the public, the adjoining property, street, utilities in the street, or the work endangers or will endanger the public, the adjoining property, street or utilities in the street;
f. The permit has not been acted upon within the time allowed for extensions pursuant to this section; and
g. The related building permit has expired without renewal, or has been revoked or canceled.
2. Upon suspension or revocation of the permit, all work thereupon shall cease, except as authorized by the building official.
G. Assurance Device for Permits. Before issuing any permit provided for in this section, the city may, in the discretion of the building official, require the applicant to execute and file with the city an assurance device pursuant to LUC 20.40.490 in such reasonable sum and with the securities as the responsible administrative official may specify, conditioned that the applicant will pay any and all damages that may be recovered against the city by any person on account of injury to persons or property occasioned by or in any manner resulting from the issuance of the permit or by reason of any act or thing done pursuant thereto, or from the occupancy or disturbance of any street or sidewalk in the city and also to save and keep the city free from all such damages and costs as may be incurred in defending any such claim, and/or further conditioned that the applicant will pay to the city the cost of repairing any and all damage which may be done by the applicant or his agents to the streets, utilities or property of the city during or pursuant to the work covered by such permit.
H. Placement of Permit. The permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project. Approved plans and manufacturer’s installation instructions, as required by the technical codes, shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection. (Ord. 6113 § 3, 2013; Ord. 5951 § 2, 2010; Ord. 5750 § 1, 2007; Ord. 5528 § 2, 2004.)