Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Code topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bonney Lake CDC backs reverting local sprinkler rules to state minimums; residents press for simpler critical‑area procedures
Summary
Committee reviewed an ordinance to repeal local automatic fire‑extinguisher/sprinkler amendments (chapter 15.16) to align with state minimums; residents raised objections to notice signs, title easements and long permit timelines, and staff said code updates are planned for later this year.
The City Development Committee on April 7 reviewed an ordinance that would repeal Bonney Lake Municipal Code chapter 15.16 and revert local sprinkler and procedural rules to the state minimum fire‑code.
"The request was to really just revert back to what the minimum state law is regarding the fire code," Lauren said, explaining that the ordinance removes local amendments so the state minimum applies across the board.
Staff and East Pierce Fire clarified inspection responsibilities: construction‑stage plan review and inspections are handled through plan reviewers and contractors, while East Pierce Fire performs annual fire and life‑safety inspections for commercial properties. Staff explained state thresholds for residential sprinklers based on building square footage and measured hydrant flow: a home under 3,600 square feet with a minimum fire flow of 1,000 gallons per minute at the hydrant typically does not require sprinklers under state law; larger homes or lower flows trigger higher requirements.
A resident and permit applicant who identified himself as Mr. Hansen described a prolonged, year‑plus permitting process to replace a rotting deck and objected to requirements that could place permanent notices on property titles and require a sign in his backyard. "It's like, suddenly, I just wanna repair a deck," Mr. Hansen said, describing the time and cost of surveys, geotechnical reports and related conditions.
Staff said the sign and notice‑to‑title requirements were added about a decade ago after repeated public requests and that the city has placed the geological‑hazard/code rewrite on this year's work plan. "The sign can go," the staff member said, and staff told the committee they can remove the sign or title notation from future code if council directs. Staff also noted vesting and retroactivity complications: a building permit vests to the code in effect the day it is submitted, so retroactive relief or code changes affecting already‑submitted permits would require specific ordinance language.
Next steps: staff will proceed with public hearings (planning commission/public hearing scheduled in May) and return the ordinance to council for action; staff will continue code rewrite work on geological hazards and consider removing the sign/title requirement if council requests it during the code amendment process. No formal ordinance adoption occurred at the CDC meeting.
