The Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) will begin discussion of the draft code on March 1, 2012 and will continue to meet twice per month until code review is complete. The public is invited to attend and participate in CCAB meetings.

While there are many changes in the Seattle amendments, the more significant changes are found in the 2012 International Building Code. Significant IBC changes include:

• High-rise buildings over 120 feet in height that have more than one elevator will be required to have two fire service access elevators instead of one.
• Chapter 10, Means of Egress, has been significantly revised, mainly to coordinate the provisions for unenclosed interior stairways and ramps that are used as a portion of the means of egress.
• Floor-level exit signs will be required in areas serving guest rooms in hotels and other transient residential occupancies.
• Code provisions for wind resistance and fire protection of photovoltaic roofing systems are added.
• Type B accessible dwelling units will be required to be added to existing buildings when there is either a change of occupancy or if there is an alteration that affects more than 50 percent of the building.

If you would like to a copy of the draft code, or if you would like to comment on it, please contact:

Maureen Traxler
Dept. of Planning & Development
700 Fifth Ave, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019
maureen.traxler@seattle.gov

We may not be able to respond to individual comments, but we will take all comments into consideration.

If you would like to receive notice of future code activity, you may sign up for our email list by following this link www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Technical_Codes/
Subscribe_to_Our_Mailing_List/DPD_001990.asp.

The TDP program makes it possible for any owner of a character structure to sell development rights to eligible “receiving sites” in Pike/Pine, where a 10 foot height increase and additional FAR are allowed on the lot to accommodate the transferred floor area.  To prevent the use of TDP from putting character structures at risk, any development that would result in the loss of a character structure would not be eligible as a receiving site.  While the adopted program limits the use of Pike/Pine TDP to eligible sending and receiving sites within the Pike/Pine Conservation Overlay District, there is a provision to allow for the transfer of Pike/Pine TDP to receiving areas outside the neighborhood through future Council action.

The TDP legislation also resulted in the creation of a Conservation Core within the overlay district, an area roughly bounded by Broadway, Pine Street, 12^th Avenue, and a southern boundary midway between Pike and Union Streets.  This area, which has the greatest concentration of character structures listed as possible candidates for landmark designation on the DON Historic Resource Survey, is subject to tighter controls on bulk to promote development that will better maintain its existing character.   

The Restoration Plan can be found at the following website: www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/ShorelineMasterProgramUpdate/
ReportsMaterials/default.asp

Written comments on the plan are welcomed and encouraged. The comment period will last through Friday, February 10, 2012. Please send your written comments to Margaret Glowacki at margaret.glowacki@seattle.gov or to the following address:

Margaret Glowacki
City of Seattle – DPD
700 Fifth Ave. Suite 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

To request a CD of the draft Restoration Plan, please contact Maggie Glowacki by email or phone (206) 386-4036.

For general information about the SMP update please visit the following website: www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/ShorelineMasterProgramUpdate/
Overview/default.asp

The zoning changes allow additional height (up to 85 feet) on certain blocks. The changes also ensure more landscaping and a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape environment.

Located at the western end of the West Seattle Bridge, the West Seattle Triangle serves as a gateway to West Seattle and the Alaska Junction shopping district. In 2007, the Huling Brothers car dealership closed, leaving behind several acres of vacant lots and buildings. Since then, King County and the City of Seattle have been making plans for new RapidRide bus service. RapidRide Line “C” will begin service in 2012 with two stations in the Triangle planning area. 

In addition to the recent legislation, DPD has developed a streetscape concept plan that includes provisions for new green streets and public spaces, along with access for trucks, cars, bicycles and pedestrians. The concept plan will be appended to the City’s Right-of-Way Improvements Manual early next year by the directors of DPD and Seattle Department of Transportation.

“This is a good example of City and community planning together to integrate transportation and land use,” said Diane Sugimura, DPD Director. “The effort will benefit the neighborhood in very tangible ways as the area evolves in the coming years.”

For more information about the legislation passed by City Council, read their press release (www.seattle.gov/council/newsdetail.asp?id=12379&dept=28).

Background information about the West Seattle Triangle project is available on DPD’s website at www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/WestSeattleTriangle/
Overview/default.asp.

Now that the 2012 versions of the I-codes have been published by the International Code Council (ICC), the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC) is beginning to ramp up for the 2012 updates to the Washington State Codes.

• If the WSBCC process follows that of previous code update cycles the schedule will be: code change proposals due by March 1, 2012; WSBCC Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) will review the proposals in the spring of 2012 and make their recommendations to the WSBCC by the end of May 2012; the WSBCC will consider the TAG recommendations at their June 2012 meeting and vote on a draft for public review in July 2012; the draft will be published in August 2012; public hearings will be in September and October 2012; the WSBCC vote on the final wording for the codes will be in November 2012; and the 2012 codes will take effect on 1 July 2013. (Note that the WSBCC will decide the actual schedule.)
• For more information on the 2012 updates to the Washington State Codes, see the WSBCC website at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/apps/sbcc/default.aspx.

For the 2012 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), several factors will come into play: (1) possible new format, (2) State law requiring additional energy savings with each WSEC update, and (3) Federal Energy Policy Act (EPAct).

1. Possible new format:

• The WSBCC has expressed an interest in using the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the format for the 2012 WSEC. Then, there would be Washington State amendments so as to bring the 2012 IECC into compliance with State and Federal laws.
• At a minimum, this would change the format of the energy code.

2. State law requiring additional energy savings with each WSEC update:

• SB 5854 (passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2009) provided direction for future updates to the Energy Code in effect in Washington State (RCW 19.27A.160): “residential and nonresidential construction permitted under the 2031 state energy code must achieve a seventy percent reduction in annual net energy consumption, using the adopted 2006 Washington state energy code as a baseline; The council shall adopt state energy codes from 2013 through 2031 that incrementally move towards achieving the seventy percent reduction in annual net energy consumption …the council shall report its progress by December 31, 2012, and every three years thereafter.”
• To obtain a 70 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2031 (using the 2006 Washington State Energy Code as a base) would require a 14 percent improvement each cycle FROM THE CODE ADOPTED IN THE PREVIOUS CYCLE, therefore the energy consumption would be 86 percent of the previous code (e.g. the 2009 WSEC would have an energy consumption of 86 percent of the 2006 WSEC; the 2012 WSEC would have an energy consumption of 86 percent of the 2009 WSEC; etc).

3. Federal Energy Policy Act (EPAct):

• Federal law (1992 Energy Policy Act – EPAct) set baselines for state energy codes. For “commercial” buildings (defined as all buildings other than low-rise residential buildings), ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is specified. The law provides that the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) must evaluate each update to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 to see if it saves energy compared to the previous version.
• On October 19, 2011, USDOE issued their determination that ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010 saves more energy than ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 (“national source energy savings of approximately 18.2 percent of commercial building energy consumption; site energy savings are estimated to be approximately 18.5 percent”). Per Federal law, this started the statutory clock where States have two years to revise their Energy Codes to be as energy-efficient as ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010, and then to submit a certification to USDOE that they have achieved this.
• While the 2009 WSEC saved more energy than the 2007 version of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, it certainly did not save 18 percent more energy. Consequently, the 2012 WSEC provisions will need to be revised so as to save at least as much energy as ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010.
• For further information, see www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/10/19/2011-27057/building-energy-standards-program-final-determination-regarding-energy-efficiency-improvements-in.

Hard-copies of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code are available for purchase at the DPD Applicant Services Center on the 20th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Avenue, Seattle.

 An electronic version (pdf) of the entire 2009 Seattle Energy Code (2 MB) is posted and linked from the 2009 Seattle Energy Code update page www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Energy_Code/Overview/2009_ecupdate.asp.

For further information, contact John Hogan at john.hogan@seattle.gov, or (206) 386-9145. For Energy Code questions, please contact Shailesh Desai at shailesh.desai@seattle.gov, or (206) 233-7860.

AHRI worked with VRF manufacturers for several years to develop the certification program for AHRI Standard 1230. During the last year VRF manufacturers have submitted data to AHRI. AHRI now has reviewed the applications for a range of products from the major manufacturers in the field.

In September 2011, AHRI announced the launch of their 37th certification program, one for variable refrigerant flow (VRF) equipment covered under AHRI Standard 1230. Major manufacturers of VRF equipment have products listed in the program. For more information see the AHRI website at www.ahrinet.org.

Consequently, permit applications that include VRF equipment need to demonstrate that the VRF equipment has AHRI certification (i.e. VRF equipment efficiency needs to be determined in accordance with AHRI Standard 1230 and certified in the AHRI Certification Program).

Hard copies of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code are available for purchase at the DPD Applicant Services Center on the 20th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave. An electronic version of the entire

2009 Seattle Energy Code (2 MB) is posted and linked from the 2009 Seattle Energy Code update page: www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Energy_Code/Overview/2009_ecupdate.asp.

Work is underway to update the Seattle Energy Code website. See the “2009 Seattle Energy Code Update” link in the upper right hand corner of the Seattle Energy Code homepage: www.seattle.gov/dpd/energy. New material will be posted as it becomes available.

For further information, contact John Hogan at john.hogan@seattle.gov, or (206) 386-9145. For Energy Code questions, please contact Shailesh Desai at shailesh.desai@seattle.gov, or (206) 233-7860.

The proposal would add lot shape and configuration standards to the code by amending subdivision, short subdivision, and lot boundary adjustment regulations. Newly created or newly adjusted lots would be required to meet specific standards commonly found in the land use regulations of many communities, including the following:

• Minimum street frontage of 10 feet for lots proposed with street frontage
• Minimum width of 10 feet for a distance of more than 10 feet as measured perpendicular to the width (to prevent very narrow “connections between portions of lots)
• Maximum of 6 lot lines
• Must provide alley access if original lot fronts on alley
• Standards may be waived or modified based on specific site conditions such as location of streets, structures, natural topographic features, etc.
• Short plats of lots with 2 existing houses are exempt
• Departure under Design Review is not allowed

The proposed development standards for single-family lots with less than 2,500 square feet in area would limit maximum base height of new structures to 22 feet (current standard is 25 feet), and would limit structure depth to two times the width of lot (no current structure depth standard is required, but depth is limited by yard standards).

The proposal would also limit lot coverage calculations on all single-family zoned lots to portions of lots that measure at least 10 feet in any direction. This proposed change would not affect minimum lot area calculation for purposes of compliance with minimum lot size or the exceptions to minimum lot size. A final minor change clarifies the types of residential structures eligible for unit lot subdivisions.

A copy of the legislation, Council Bill 117304, can be found on the City Clerk’s website www.seattle.gov/leg/clerk/.

A copy of the legislation can also be found on Councilmember Sally Clark’s website www.seattle.gov/council/clark/.

Questions regarding the proposal or requests for electronic copies may be directed to:

William Mills
(206) 684-8738
william.mills@seattle.gov

For projects within the City of Seattle:

• DPD suspended enforcement of Chapter 12 for residential spaces effective July 12, 2011.
• After a briefing and discussion with DPD staff, Mayor Mike McGinn directed DPD to continue enforcement of Chapter 12 of the Seattle Energy Code for new nonresidential construction projects, and to suspend enforcement of its provisions for construction projects in existing buildings until further notice. 

However, Mayor McGinn also directed DPD to continue gathering input from stakeholders on the impacts of this decision. So with that:

• If you have comments on any aspect of Chapter 12, whether in favor of the provisions or not, please send them to John Hogan at john.hogan@seattle.gov.
• If you have questions about the application of the Seattle Energy Code to a particular project, please contact Shailesh Desai at Shailesh.desai@seattle.gov.

For more information and background, please visit the Seattle Energy Code website. 

You can download the decision memo directly.

• DR 11-2011 (Alternate Means of Compliance to Energy Code Requirements for On-Site Renewable Energy Systems) has been published, so per Section 1601 of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code, Chapter 16 is now in effect.
• Consequently, all permit applications submitted on July 14, 2011 or later must comply with Chapter 16 of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code.
• Projects have three options for compliance with the requirements for on-site renewable energy systems: (1) the option in Section 1621 of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code, (2) alternate “a” in DR 11-2011, and (3) alternate “b” in DR 11-2011.
• Copies can also be downloaded from the link on the Seattle Energy Code website at www.seattle.gov/DPD/Codes/Energy_Code/
  Overview/dr_summary.asp. Work is underway to update the Seattle Energy Code website and Director’s Rules. See the “2009 Seattle Energy Code Update” link in the upper right hand corner of the Seattle Energy Code homepage: www.seattle.gov/dpd/energy. New material will be posted as it becomes available.  

Also several updates have been made to the Seattle Energy Code website:

• The single-family residential tips, and the multifamily and nonresidential tips, have been revised for consistency with the 2009 Seattle Energy Code. These can be accessed from the right hand navigation tab on the Seattle Energy Code homepage.

Hard copies of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code are available for purchase at the DPD Applicant Services Center on the 20th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Avenue.