WAC 51-19-300   Definitions.  For the purpose of the HBC, certain terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this chapter. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and the feminine the masculine.

     Where terms are not defined, they shall have their ordinary accepted meanings within the context in which they are used. In the event there is a question about the definition of a term, the definitions for terms in the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 and the edition of Webster's Dictionary, referenced therein shall be considered as the sources for providing ordinarily accepted meanings.

     "Adaptive use" is the process of adapting a building to accomplish a use other than that for which it was designed; i.e., a piano factory being converted into housing, or a mansion into an office or apartments.

     "Addition" is an extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

     "Alter or alteration" is any change, addition, or modification in construction or occupancy.

     "Approved agency" is an established and recognized agency regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing inspection services, when such agency has been approved by the building official.

     "Building" is any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. (See structure.)

     "Building Code" is the Uniform Building Code, promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials as adopted by the state building code council.

     "Building official" is the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the HBC, or a duly authorized representative.

     "Building service equipment" refers to the plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and elevator equipment including piping, wiring, fixtures, and other accessories which provide sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, firefighting, and transportation facilities essential for the habitable occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use and occupancy.

     "Certified local government" or "CLG" means the local government has been certified by the state historic preservation officer as having established its own historic preservation commission and a program meeting federal and state standards.

     "Dangerous Building Code" is the code, adopted by this jurisdiction, which outlines the processes and procedures for the determination and abatement of dangerous buildings.

     "Electrical Code" is the National Electrical Code, promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted by the Washington state department of labor and industries, electrical section.

     "Equivalency" is meeting the intent of the HBC by means other than those detailed in specific code provisions.

     "Fire hazard" is any thing or act which increases or may cause an increase of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily recognized as normal by persons in the public service regularly engaged in preventing, suppressing, or extinguishing fire; or which may obstruct, delay, hinder, or interfere with the operations of the fire department or the egress of occupants in the event of fire.

     "Historic building" is any structure, collection of structures, and their associated sites, deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state, or federal governmental jurisdiction. Included shall be structures on official national, state, or local historic registers or official listings such as the National Register of Historic Places, the state register of historic places, state points of historical interest, and registers or listings of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks as adopted by a certified local government.

     "Historic fabric" consists of the original materials and portions of the building intact when exposed or as they appeared and were used in the past.

     "Historical aspects" are the particular features of the historic site, building, or structure that gives it its historic significance. Features may include but are not limited to one or more of the following: Historical background, noteworthy architecture, unique design, works of art, memorabilia, and artifacts.

     "Imminent hazard" is a condition which could cause serious or life threatening injury or death at any time.

     "Occupancy" is the purpose for which a building, or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.

     "Original materials" are those portions of the structure's fabric that existed during the period deemed to be most architecturally and/or historically significant.

     "Preservation" is the maintenance of the structure in its present condition or as originally constructed. Preservation aims at halting further deterioration and providing structural safety, but does not contemplate significant rebuilding. Preservation includes techniques of arresting or slowing the deterioration of a structure; improvement of structural conditions to make a structure safe, habitable, or otherwise useful; normal maintenance and minor repairs that do not change or adversely affect the fabric or appearance of a structure.

     "Prevailing code" is the "regular building regulations" which governed the design and construction or alteration of historical buildings within the jurisdiction of the enforcing agency at the time of their construction.

     "Reconstruction" is the process of rebuilding a nonextant structure or portion of a structure to its original appearance through archival and archeological investigation. Although parts of the original structure are sometimes included in the reconstruction, the process usually involves new construction materials.

     "Rehabilitation" involves equipping the building or facility for an extended useful life with a minimum alteration of original construction or the process of returning a structure to a state of usefulness by repairs, alterations, or additions.

     "Relocation" involves any structure or a portion of a structure that may be moved to a new location.

     "Renovation" is to make sound again any structure involved under the various definitions hereunder by cleanup, repair, and replacement of deteriorated detail or structure.

     "Repair" is the reconstruction, renovation, or renewal of any portion of a historic building for the purpose of its maintenance.

     "Reproduction" is a duplication, copy, or close imitation of the original.

     "Restoration" is the process of accurately recovering, by the removal of later work and the replacement of missing earlier work, the form and details of a structure, together with its setting, as it appeared at a particular period of time.

     "Structure" is that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.120 and 19.27.074. 91-01-103, § 51-19-300, filed 12/18/90, effective 7/1/91.]