Chapter 20.20 MECHANICAL CODE


Section 20.20.080 Applicability to persons and entities.

    1. Owner-occupants of single-family dwellings. The following work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter:
        a. Repair or replacement of existing materials, such as:
            (1) Thermostats;
            (2) Supply and return air grilles; and
            (3) Any similar existing fixture or mechanism for which air supply and return air ducting is currently in place and the work consists only of removing the existing fixture and installing a similar new fixture in the same location.
        b. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the replacement of furnaces, boilers, or any similar central heating/cooling unit, appliance or fixture.
        c. This section shall not be interpreted to allow owner-occupants to perform any repair or replacement of gas piping (except: owner-occupants may install and replace flexible gas appliance connectors, where their use is permitted by the code).
        d. It is the intent of this section to enable homeowners to perform routine maintenance and limited improvements to their homes. This section shall not be interpreted to enable owner-occupants to completely reduct their homes.
        e. All work permitted under this section must comply with the code requirements for materials, methods and workmanship which govern such work.
    2. Owners and managers of rental dwellings. The following work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter, when performed by the owner, manager or maintenance employees:
        a. Repair or replacement existing fixtures, such as:
            (1) Thermostats;
            (2) Supply and return air grilles; and
            (3) Any similar existing fixture or mechanism for which air supply and return air ducting is currently in place and the work consists only of removing the existing fixture and installing a similar new fixture in the same location.
        b. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the replacement of furnaces, boilers, or any similar central heating/cooling units, appliances or fixtures.
        c. This section shall not be interpreted to allow owners and managers of rental dwellings to perform any repair or replacement of gas piping (except: owners and managers may install and replace flexible gas appliance connectors, where their use is permitted by the code).
        d. It is the intent of this section to enable owners and managers to perform routine maintenance and limited improvements to their rental dwellings. This section shall not be interpreted to enable owners and managers to completely reduct their rental dwellings.
        e. All work permitted under this section must comply with the code requirements for materials, methods and workmanship which govern such work.
    3. Tenants of rental dwellings. No work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter.
    4. Owners and managers of commercial and industrial buildings. The following work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter when performed by the owner, manager or maintenance employees:
        a. Repair or replacement of existing materials, such as:
            (1) Thermostats;
            (2) Supply and return air grilles; and
            (3) Any similar existing fixture or mechanism for which air supply and return air ducting is currently in place and the work consists only of removing the existing fixture and installing a similar new fixture in the same location.
        b. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the replacement of furnaces, boilers, or any similar central heating/cooling units, appliances or fixtures.
        c. This section shall not be interpreted to allow owners, managers and maintenance employees to perform any repair or replacement of gas piping (except: such persons may install and replace flexible gas appliance connectors, where their use is permitted by the code).
        d. It is the intent of this section to enable owners, managers and maintenance employees to perform routine maintenance and limited improvements to their properties. This section shall not be interpreted to enable owners, managers and maintenance employees to completely reduct their properties.
        e. All work permitted under this section must comply with the code requirements for materials, methods and workmanship which govern such work.
    5. Tenants of commercial and industrial buildings. No work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter.
    6. Licensed and registered contractors. Licensed mechanical contractors may perform all mechanical work regulated by this chapter utilizing licensed or unlicensed employees. The following work activities are exempt from permit and inspection requirements of this chapter:
        a. Repair or replacement of existing materials, such as:
            (1) Thermostats;
            (2) Supply and return air grilles; and
            (3) Any similar existing fixture or mechanism for which air supply and return air ducting is currently in place and the work consists only of removing the existing fixture and installing a similar new fixture in the same location.
        b. This section shall not be interpreted to permit the replacement of furnaces, boilers, or any similar central heating/cooling units, appliances or fixtures.
        c. It is the intent of this section to enable licensed contractors to perform routine maintenance and limited improvements to their customers properties. This section shall not be interpreted to enable contractors to completely reduct their customers properties.
        d. All work permitted under this section must comply with the code requirements for materials, methods and workmanship which govern such work.  (Ord. 2000-9735; 90/T-9325)