Q: What are the general rules for building permits?Permits Required:
No building or structure regulated by the PERMITS AND INSPECTION DIVISION for the CITY OF BELLEVUE and the two mile jurisdiction shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, improved, removed, converted or demolished, unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the BUILDING OFFICIAL.
Exempted Work:
1. One story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet.
2. Oil Derricks.
3. Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 ft 9 inches high.
4. Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measuring from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
6. Replacement of concrete or asphalt driveways and walks provided that the area being replaced is no larger than that which previously existed, or that it does not go over any basement or story below.
7. Painting, papering, floor covering and similar finish (cosmetic) work.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Window and door awnings supported by an exterior wall of a single family dwelling or garages when projecting not more than 54 inches.
10. Swimming Pools: Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a single family dwelling in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed 5000 gallons.
UNLESS OTHERWISE EXEMPTED separate PLUMBING, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL permits will be required for the above items.
Plumbing Work Not Requiring A Permit:
No permit shall be required in the case of any repair work as follows:
The stopping of leaks in drains, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that should any trap, drainpipe, soil, waste or vent pipe be or become defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material in any part or parts, the same shall be considered as such new work and a permit shall be procured and inspections made as provided. No permit shall be required for the cleaning of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, when such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
Mechanical Work Not Requiring a Permit:
1. A portable heating appliance, portable ventilating equipment, portable cooling unit or portable evaporative cooler.
2. A closed system of steam, hot or chilled water piping within heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
3. Replacement of any component part or assembly of an appliance which does not alter its original approval and complies with other applicable requirements of this code.
4. Refrigerating equipment which is part of the equipment for which a permit has been issued pursuant to the requirements of this code.
5. A unit refrigerating system.
Electrical Work Not Requiring a Permit:
1. Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an attachment plug end to be connected to an approved receptacle when that cord or cable is permitted by the ELECTRICAL CODE.
2. Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers or fixed approved appliances of the same type and rating in the same location.
3. Temporary decorative lighting.
4. Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contractor or control device.
5. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets.
6. Repair or replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity in the same location.
7. Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for sign or gas tube systems.
8. Taping joints.
9. Removal of electric wire.
10. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.
11. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television sets.
12. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
13. Low-energy power, control and signal circuits of Classes II and III as defined in the ELECTRICAL CODE.
14. A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment or the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electrical energy or in the operation of signals or the transmission of intelligence by a public or private utility in the exercise of its function as a serving utility.