H-0695

AN ACT Relating to the state building code; reenacting and amending RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.060; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the state building code has not realistically addressed the demands on women's public restrooms and needs to be revised. Public places of assembly are not provided with an adequate ratio of toilet facilities for women to prevent crowding and unsanitary conditions. The results have been congested restrooms at public events, burdening the owner with the costs to retrofit existing buildings with more restrooms.

Because of certain provisions in the code, counties and cities have been able to exclude public assembly buildings from code requirements and state authority and substitute the original appendices of the uniform plumbing code with a modified table that requires a smaller ratio of facilities for women than the original appendices.

To better address the health and safety needs of the public, the legislature finds that the state building code should include requirements for public assembly buildings as well as adopt the original appendices with the tables that require a higher ratio of restroom toilets for women.

Sec. 2. RCW 19.27.031 and 1989 c 348 s 9 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following codes which are hereby adopted by reference:

(1) Uniform Building Code and Uniform Building Code Standards, published by the International Conference of Building Officials;

(2) Uniform Mechanical Code, including Chapter 22, Fuel Gas Piping, Appendix B, published by the International Conference of Building Officials;

(3) The Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code Standards, published by the International Conference of Building Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association: PROVIDED, That, notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying hand-held candles;

(4) Except as provided in RCW 19.27.150, the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, including that portion of Appendix C entitled "Assembly Places‑-Theatres, Auditoriums, Convention Halls, etc.‑-for public use": PROVIDED, That chapters 11 and 12 of such code are not adopted; and

(5) The rules and regulations adopted by the council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically handicapped or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160.

In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following.

The codes enumerated in this section shall be adopted by the council as provided in RCW 19.27.074.

The council may issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local building official.

Sec. 3. RCW 19.27.060 and 1989 c 266 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minimum performance standards and objectives contained in the state building code.

(a) No amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council that affects single family or multifamily residential buildings shall be effective unless the amendment is approved by the building code council under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b).

(b) Any county or city amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 which is approved under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b) shall continue to be effective after any action is taken under RCW 19.27.074(1)(a) without necessity of reapproval under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b) unless the amendment is declared null and void by the council at the time any action is taken under RCW 19.27.074(1)(a) because such action in any way altered the impact of the amendment.

(2) Except as permitted or provided otherwise under this section, the state building code shall be applicable to all buildings and structures including those owned by the state or by any governmental subdivision or unit of local government.

(3) The governing body of each county or city may limit the application of any portion of the state building code to exclude specified classes or types of buildings or structures according to use other than single family or multifamily residential buildings((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)), except that in no event shall the minimum sanitary facilities specified in that portion of Appendix C of the Uniform Plumbing Code entitled "Assembly Places‑-Theatres, Auditoriums, Convention Halls, etc.‑-for public use" be diminished. Furthermore, in no event shall fruits or vegetables of the tree or vine stored in buildings or warehouses constitute combustible stock for the purposes of application of the uniform fire code.

(4) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any building four or more stories high with a B occupancy as defined by the uniform building code, 1982 edition, and with a city fire insurance rating of 1, 2, or 3 as defined by a recognized fire rating bureau or organization.

(5) No provision of the uniform fire code concerning roadways shall be part of the state building code: PROVIDED, That this subsection shall not limit the authority of a county or city to adopt street, road, or access standards.

(6) The provisions of the state building code may be preempted by any city or county to the extent that the code provisions relating to the installation or use of sprinklers in jail cells conflict with the secure and humane operation of jails.

(7) (a) Effective one year after July 23, ((~~1989~~)) 1991, the governing bodies of counties and cities may adopt an ordinance or resolution to exempt from permit requirements certain construction or alteration of either group R, division 3, or group M, division 1 occupancies, or both, as defined in the uniform building code, 1988 edition, for which the total cost of fair market value of the construction or alteration does not exceed fifteen hundred dollars. The permit exemption shall not otherwise exempt the construction or alteration from the substantive standards of the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031, as amended and maintained by the state building code council under RCW 19.27.070.

(b) Prior to July 23, ((~~1989~~)) 1991, the state building code council shall adopt by rule, guidelines exempting from permit requirements certain construction and alteration activities under (a) of this subsection.