“Addition” means an extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

“Alter or alteration” means any construction or renovation to an existing structure other than repair or addition.

“Application filing date” means the date on which electronic record of permit application deemed to be complete per the requirements of VMC 17.08.100(A) is created in the city’s permit system and a permit number is assigned.

“Approved,” as to materials, types of construction, equipment and systems, refers to approval by the building official as the result of investigation and tests, or by reason of accepted principles or tests by recognized authorities, technical or scientific organizations.

“Building” means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.

“Building code” means the building code of the city of Vancouver.

“Building official” means the designated city official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of this title.

“Building service equipment” refers to the plumbing, mechanical, electrical and elevator equipment including piping, wiring, fixtures and other accessories which provide potable water, sanitation, lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, refrigeration, fire suppression, fire warning, fire-fighting facilities essential for the occupancy of the building or structure for its designated use and occupancy.

“Construction documents” are plans, specifications, supporting calculations and other data prepared to describe the design, materials, physical characteristics, location, orientation, and scope of the proposed project necessary to obtain a permit.

“Department” means the city of Vancouver community development department, or successor department or division charged with administering this chapter.

“Existing building” means a building erected prior to the adoption of the currently adopted building code of the city of Vancouver, or one for which a legal, unexpired building permit has been issued by the city.

“Fire official” means the designated city official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of fire related matters in this title.

“LID best management practices” means distributed stormwater management practices, integrated into a project design, that emphasize predisturbance hydrologic processes of infiltration, filtration, storage, evaporation and transpiration. LID BMPs include, but are not limited to, bioretention, rain gardens, permeable pavements, roof downspout controls, dispersion, soil quality and depth, minimal excavation foundations, vegetated roofs, and water re-use.

“LID principles” means land use management strategies that emphasize conservation, use of on-site natural features, and site planning to minimize impervious surfaces, native vegetation loss, and stormwater runoff.

“Listed and listing” are terms referring to equipment and materials which are shown in a list published by an approved testing agency qualified and equipped for experimental testing and maintaining an adequate periodic inspection of current productions and whose listing states that the equipment complies with recognized safety standards.

“Low impact development (LID)” means a stormwater and land use management strategy that strives to mimic predisturbance hydrologic processes of infiltration, filtration, storage, evaporation and transpiration by emphasizing conservation, use of on-site natural features, site planning, and distributed stormwater management practices that are integrated into a project design.

“Occupancy” means the purpose for which a building, site, or portion thereof, is used or intended to be used. The term “occupancy” as used in this chapter shall include the building or part thereof housing the intended use.

“Occupant” means the person or persons who reside in and/or has primary use of a building or a portion of a building or site.

“Owner” means any person having a recorded legal or equitable interest in the property.

“Permit” means an official document or certificate issued by the building official authorizing performance of a specified activity.

“Permit holder” means the person to whom a permit is issued.

“Permitted work” means the work for which a permit is issued.

“Person” means a natural person, any form of business or social organization and any other legal entity including but not limited to a corporation, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization.

“Premises” means and includes any lot, parcel, real estate, or land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved, including adjacent sidewalks and parking strips, and any lake, river, stream, drainage way, or wetland, within the territorial limits of the city.

“Registered design professional” means an individual who is registered or licensed to practice their respective design profession as defined by the statutory requirements of the professional registration laws of the state of Washington.

“Repair” means the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building, structure or building service equipment for the purpose of its maintenance.

“Structure” means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building.

“Technical codes” are those codes adopted in various titles of the Vancouver Municipal Code, including but not limited to Titles 16, 17, 20 and 22.

“Unfit building” means any structure determined by the building official to be in violation of the standards and provisions of Chapter 17.32 VMC.

“Unfit premises” means any premises determined by the building official to be in violation of the standards and provisions of Chapter 17.32 VMC.

“Valuation or value” for the purposes of this title, shall include total market value of work including materials and labor, grading, site development, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, painting, finish work, roofing, fire protection and any other permanent systems or equipment for which a permit is being issued. (Ord. M-4407 § 1, 2023; Ord. M-4165 § 2, 2016; Ord. M-4047 § 1, 2013; Ord. M-3958 § 8, 2010)