19.04.120 Process.
A. Permit Required. For the purposes of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, no person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, remove, repair, move, improve, convert, or demolish any building or structure in the City, or cause the same to be done, without obtaining a separate building permit for each such building or structure from the Building/Fire Official.
B. Approval of Application. The building permit application shall be reviewed by City Department Heads and the Fire District as applicable. The application shall be approved or denied by the Building/Fire Official.
C. No Authority to Violate Codes or Ordinances. 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 City of Snohomish shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the Building/Fire Official from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents or other data. The Building/Fire Official is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure in violation of this code or of any other ordinances of the City of Snohomish.
D. Permit Validity. To be considered valid:
1. Every permit shall have all applicable fees paid at the time of issuance and work authorized by the permit shall commence within 180 days of issuance.
2. The work authorized by the permit shall continue to progress to completion without any work suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days. A minimum of one inspection shall be requested and approved by the City during each 180-day period to show continued progress.
3. Permits for which no inspections have been requested and approved by the City within the 180-day period shall be considered invalid, null, and void.
E. Permit Renewal.
1. Permits which have already expired will not be considered for permit renewal.
2. A valid permit that has not expired may be renewed one time for a period not to exceed 12 months, provided a written permit renewal application is submitted and received by the Building/Fire Official within 30 days prior to the permit expiration. The applicant shall demonstrate good and justifiable cause why the renewal is appropriate.
a. The Building/Fire Official or their designee will approve or deny the application and calculate the renewal fees. Provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications, a renewal fee shall be assessed that is one-half of the amount required for a new permit for such work.
b. Upon approval and payment of the required fees, the permit will remain valid for an additional 12 months, subject to the provisions of subsection D of this section.
F. Permit Expiration. Provided the issued permit remains valid in accordance with subsection D of this section, all permits shall expire by limitation two years or 24 months from the date of issuance, except where a renewal has been obtained in accordance with subsection E of this section.
1. Where a valid permit has been allowed to expire, a new permit shall be obtained. Where a new permit is required, the application shall include the payment of all applicable fees at 100 percent of the fee schedule as approved by City Council resolution and submittal of construction plans and other supporting documentation that reflects City ordinances regulating construction requirements, land use, design requirements, and/or other applicable laws and regulations in effect at the time of submittal of the new completed permit application.
2. Where the work previously authorized has not been completed at the time the permit expires by limitation, the plans shall be revised to reflect the most recent adoption of regulations for those portions of work not yet completed.
G. Residential Use Structures Not Greater Than 120 Square Feet. A structure up to 120 square feet in size, designed for use as a storage or tool shed, may be placed on a legal lot in Snohomish without a building permit provided the following provisions are met:
1. Applicable provisions of SMC Title 14, Land Use Development Code.
2. The structure does not create a fire and life safety hazard by virtue of the use, and a minimum six-foot clearance is provided between combustible construction and the structure.
3. The structure will not be fastened to a permanent foundation.
4. Only one unpermitted residential use structure shall be allowed on a legal lot unless allowed elsewhere.
5. The setbacks are in accordance with RCW 19.27.560.
H. Nonresidential Use Structures – Other Requirements. Except mobile food vendors pursuant to Chapter 5.30 SMC, a permit is required for structures used for, but not limited to, espresso stands, temporary construction trailers, and similar uses, and must comply with subsections (H)(1) through (3) of this section:
1. The site and proposed structure shall comply with all applicable provisions of SMC Title 14.
2. The structure shall be connected to City of Snohomish water, sewer, and storm utilities including payment of applicable connection fees, and subject to applicable provisions of the City of Snohomish Public Works Standards.
3. Applicable provisions of the International Building, Fire, Mechanical, Uniform Plumbing Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code of the State of Washington.
I. Inspections.
1. It shall be the duty of the owner or their authorized agent to notify the Building/Fire Official when the work requiring inspection under the adopted Code is ready for inspection. It shall also be the duty of the owner or their duly authorized agent to provide access to and means for inspections of work.
a. The owner or their authorized agent shall make inspection requests in a form and/or process as designated by the City.
b. The owner or their authorized agent shall ensure the work to be inspected is complete and ready for the type of inspection requested and conforms to the approved construction drawings.
c. It shall be the duty of the owner or their authorized agent to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes, and it shall not be covered or placed in service until the Building/Fire Official or his or her designee performs an inspection, and the work is approved.
d. Whenever any work subject to inspection is covered or concealed without the benefit of inspection, the Building/Fire Official shall have the authority to require that such work be exposed for inspection. Where the work is placed in use, the Building/Fire Official shall have the authority to have the use discontinued, which may include disconnection of power or other public utilities.
e. Neither the Building/Fire Official nor his or her designee, nor the City of Snohomish shall be liable for the expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required, or the disconnection/reconnection of any public utilities or equipment, to allow inspection.
2. The Building/Fire Official shall have the authority to impose fees for reinspection or investigation of work without permits as adopted by City Council resolution or penalties as described in SMC 19.04.190, where an owner or their authorized agent violates provisions of the adopted codes. Where reinspection fees or penalties are imposed, the owner or their authorized agent is not relieved from correcting the violation.
J. Appeals. All references to boards of appeals, building construction advisory and appeals board, hearing advisory and appeals board, or other appellate board in any code adopted by reference, shall be replaced with and shall refer to the City Land Use Hearing Examiner.
1. Appeals of the Building/Fire Official shall be in accordance with Chapter 14.20 SMC, Permit Classifications and Development Review Process.
2. Appeal fees shall be as established by City Council resolution. (Ord. 2483, 2024)