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1 WASHINGTON STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL APPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF A PROPOSED STATEWIDE AMENDMENT TO THE WASHINGTON STATE BUILDING CODE 2012 Code Adoption Cycle Log # (office use only) PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE FIVE 1. State Building Code to be Amended: [ ] International Building Code [ ] State Energy Code [ ] International Existing Building Code [ ] International Mechanical Code [ ] ICC ANSI A117.1 Accessibility Code [ ] International Fuel Gas Code [X] International Residential Code [ ] NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code [ ] International Fire Code [ ] NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code [ ] Uniform Plumbing Code Section _IRC R105.2 Page 3 2. Applicant Name (Specific local government, organization or individual): Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED) 3. Signed: Executive Director 2/28/14 Proponent Title Date 4. Designated Contact Person: Mia Devine Name Project Manager Title Address: rd Ave Suite 901 Seattle, WA Office Phone: (206) Cell:( ) address: _mia@nwseed.org 1

2 5. Proposed Code Amendment. Reproduce the section to be amended. Underline all added language, strike through all deleted language. Insert any separate new sections in the appropriate place in the code in order to continue the established numbering system of the code. If more than one section is proposed for amendment or more than one page is needed for reproducing the affected section of the code, additional pages may be attached. (Please indicate number of additional pages below) Code _IRC Section R105.2 Page 3 Amend section to read as follows: R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption 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. Building: 1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2). 2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high. 3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge. 4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons ( L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to Sidewalks and driveways. 6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work. 7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep. 8. Swings and other playground equipment. 9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support. 10. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R Roof mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar modules meeting all of the following criteria: 1. The design wind speed for the area in which the modules are installed does not exceed 90 mph. 2. Total dead load of modules, supports, mountings, raceways and all other appurtenances weigh no more than one of the following: Four pounds per square foot Frameless modules on at least 3/12 pitch roof weighing no more than four and one-half pounds per square foot Frameless modules on at least 5/12 pitch roof weighing no more than five pounds per square foot. 3. Modules are not mounted higher than 18 above the surface of the roofing to which they are affixed. 4. Modules on pitched roofs do not exceed the highest point of the roof unless approved by the local jurisdiction. 5. Modules on flat roofs do not exceed the maximum height allowed by the local zoning and building code for the building on which they are installed unless approved by the local jurisdiction. 6. Supports for solar modules are to be installed to spread the dead load across as many roof-framing members as needed, so that no point load exceeds 50 pounds. 7. Attachment to the roof must be as specified by the mounting system manufacturer. 8. Fire department access aisles must comply with the International Fire Code with Washington State amendments. 9. All required electrical permit(s), review and inspection(s) must be obtained from the Authority Having Jurisdiction to administer the electrical code. Electrical: 1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting. 2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor. 3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location. 4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy. 5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Gas: 1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.

3 2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe. 3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid. Mechanical: 1. Portable heating appliances. 2. Portable ventilation appliances. 3. Portable cooling units. 4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code. 5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe. 6. Portable evaporative coolers. 7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less. 8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid. Are additional pages attached? Yes No X Please note number of additional pages: 3

4 Log # (office use only) Supporting Data for Statewide Amendment Proposals This information is required for all statewide amendment proposals. Attach supporting documentation, as necessary; incomplete proposals will not be accepted. The SBCC requires supporting data on any amendment proposal to show: a. That it meets basic criteria See Part I to specify how this proposal meets the criteria for code amendment. b. The intended effect See Part II to describe the purpose of the proposed amendment, including the benefits and the problems addressed. c. The potential impacts or benefits on business See Part III/Types of Construction, to explain how methods in construction businesses, industries and services would be affected. d. The potential impact on enforcement procedures, See Part III/Types of Services Required, to provide some analysis of the impacts on code enforcement in local jurisdictions. e. Economic costs and benefits Use the Table in Part IV of this form to estimate the costs and benefits of the proposal on the construction industry, the user and/or public, the enforcement community, and operation and maintenance. Part I Background information on amendment. Code References: IRC Title: International Residential Code Related codes: No (Does this amendment change other related codes?) Proponent: Northwest SEED Phone: _ Date: February 28, 2014 NOTE: State-wide and emergency state-wide amendments to the state building code must be based on one of the following criteria; please indicate the pertinent rationale for the proposed amendment by selecting from the list below: (1) The amendment is needed to address a critical life/safety need. (2) The amendment is needed to address a specific state policy or statute. (3) The amendment is needed for consistency with state or federal regulations. (4) The amendment is needed to address a unique character of the state. (5) The amendment corrects errors and omissions. Part II Amendment Benefit: PROBLEM(S) ADDRESSED (Describe the intended effect of the proposed code amendment): Currently, the solar photovoltaic (PV) market in Washington State is challenged by an assortment of permitting processes that vary widely by jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions exempt certain rooftop solar PV systems from requiring a building permit or issue over the counter permits while others may require roof load engineering calculations and an engineer s wet stamp. The inconsistent permit requirements and unclear processes make it difficult for installers to accurately plan for the cost and time frames required to obtain a permit. This ultimately leads to unnecessary costs to the customer or a decision by the customer not to install solar at all due to the additional complexity. In some cases, solar installation companies avoid doing business in certain jurisdictions because of the onerous solar permitting process in those jurisdictions. PRIMARY REASON FOR AMENDMENT: (Describe how the amendment meets one of the criteria listed above) This proposal aims to establish a standard, streamlined process whereby simple rooftop solar photovoltaic systems meeting certain criteria would be exempt from requiring a building permit. The proposed criteria are based on national best practices and were adapted for Washington through close collaboration with four Washington jurisdictions and representatives from several solar installation companies and local utilities. This proposal would reduce the permitting time and expense for both solar installation companies and homeowners while ensuring an appropriate level of safety is maintained. TYPE OF BENEFITS PROJECTED: Although no quantitative studies have been completed specifically for Washington State, a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that streamlining city-level solar permitting processes in California 4

5 could reduce the price of an average residential solar photovoltaic system by $1,000 or more and reduce the project development timeline by one month 1. A similar nationwide survey estimates potential savings at $1,900 per household 2. The reduced cost and time associated with solar permitting will lead to an increased number of solar PV installations on residences throughout Washington State and will help to expand the solar market to previously unserved jurisdictions. Reference 1: Wiser, Ryan and Changgui Dong. The Impact of City-level Permitting Processes on Residential Photovoltaic Installation Prices and Development Times: An Empirical Analysis of Solar Systems in California Cities. Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, April Reference 2: The Impact of Local Permitting on the Cost of Solar Power. Sunrun, January Part III Amendment Impacts or Benefits: TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION: New Construction Alteration/Tenant Improvement/Repair Residential-Single Family Residential-Multi Family Commercial Industrial List businesses/industries affected by amendment Fire Protection Industry: Specific Construction Contractors & Trades: Construction Supply Industry: Specialty Trades: Buildings: Manufacturers: Solar installers Types of Services Required: List any reporting, record keeping or other requirements. Indicate if equipment, material or services required by this proposal are available from multiple sources. _No additional services needed Part IV Amendment Costs and Benefits Construction 1 Enforcement 2 Operations & Maintenance 3 Building Type Costs % impact 4 Benefits 5 Costs % impact 4 Benefits 5 Costs % impact 4 Benefits 5 Residential Single family Multi-family Commercial/Retail Industrial Institutional 1 $ / square foot of floor area or other cost. Attach data. Construction costs are costs prior to occupancy, and include both design and direct construction costs that impact the total cost of the construction to theowner/consumer. 2 Cost per project plan. Attach data. Enforcement costs include governmental review of plans, field inspection, and other action required for enforcement. 3 Cost/benefits to building owner/tenants over the life of the project. 4 Cost differential over a specific size project or range of projects as determined by the proponent. Provide sufficient cost and benefit detail to clarify the impact to the Council. All data should be created and referenced to third party reputable sources for verification. 5 Include measurable benefit to the user and/or public from Part II. 5