COVID-19 Updates

Phase I - Low-risk Construction Work Building Inspections

In response to the Governor's Executive Order No. 20-25 issued on March 23, 2020 along with a plan and recommendations to restart low-risk construction work issued on April 24, 2020, construction projects currently underway are now allowed to be completed.   

At this time, in-person inspections for occupied heated spaces (OHS) is suspended.  OHS inspections can continue to be scheduled if they can be completed virtually.  All other inspections can continue as long as social distancing is followed.  For more information regarding virtual inspections please click on the links below.  

Social Distancing Guide

Virtual Inspection Customer Guide

Virtual Inspections for Occupied Structures 

Low-Risk Construction Work FAQs

General Questions
1. What type of construction is allowed?
  • Any previously and newly authorized construction activities that are in compliance with the COVID-19 Job Site Requirements may resume only those work activities that do not require workers to be closer than six-feet together. Please refer to the Implementation of Phase I Construction Restart - Proclamation 20-25 Memo issued by the Governor's Office on April 29, 2020.
2. What qualifies as previously and newly authorized construction?
3. In the memo issued by the Governor's Office on April 29, 2020, it states that existing construction needed to fulfill an obligation under a contract effective prior to March 23, 2020 can start once a permit is in hand and safety requirements are met. My understanding is that the City is currently under a building moratorium so can I even apply for a building permit at this time?
  • Under the current moratorium, no new building permit applications are being accepted. However, for applications currently under review, building permits may be issued if the work was under contract prior to March 23, 2020. Please refer to the 2020 Moratorium web page for more information.
4.  Where can I report COVID-19 job safety violations? 
  • Workplace safety and health complaints may be submitted to the Labor and Industries (L&I) Call Center at 1-800-423-7233 or via email to adag235@lni.wa.gov. 
5.  Where do I report all other violations related to Proclamation 20-25?
6. Where do I request an inspection?
7. What is the City's role? 
  • The City's role is to inspect projects under construction as required by the Sammamish Municipal Code.  The City does not enforce COVID-19 Job Site Requirements.  Violations of these requirements should be reported to the L&I Call Center at 1-800-423-7233 or via email to adag235@lni.wa.gov. 

 

Emergency Extension of Building Permits

On April 21, 2020, City Council Approved an Emergency Ordinance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to temporarily extend expiration dates of issued building and construction permits.  The emergency ordinance adjusts the expiration date of issued building and clearing and grading permits that were valid as of March 23, 2020 and would otherwise expire under SMC 16.15.070(4)(b) and SMC 16.20.235(1) by extending them equal to the number of days of work stoppage under Governor Jay Inslee’s Emergency Proclamation 20-25. 

References:

Ordinance O2020-500

building permit extension FAQS

General Questions
1. What type of permits will be extended?
  • Any building and clearing and grading permit may be extended.
2.  How long will permits be extended?
  • The permit expiration date shall be revised based on the number of calendar days construction has been suspended.
3. Is there any other extensions allowed? 
  • The City Manager may extended a permit at his discretion, as deemed necessary to both protect the City from possible liability and to diminish economic loss and hardship to permittees.
4. Is the ‘number of days construction has been suspended’ just the time from 3/23/2020 to 4/24/2020?
  • It depends.  If the type of work is considered “low-risk” and the contractor is able to comply with the COVID-19 Job Safety Requirements issued on April 24, 2020 and can resume work, then the permits associated with that work will be extended for the number of days construction was suspended (3/23/2020 to 4/24/2020). For all other construction activity, the expiration date of the associated permit will be extended for the number of days construction is suspended as determined by the Governor’s Office.
5. What about construction work that is not “low risk”?
  • Construction activities that are not considered low risk and cannot comply with COVID-19 Safety Requirements may not resume.