Correspondence //5/0 set, le•eyace.ilrcc, D -�
CITY OF TIG�
Monday, September 11, 2000
OREG
Calvin Taylor
11510 SW Terrace Trails Rd.
Tigard, OR 97223
RE Required corrections to construction.
Dear Mr. Taylor, •
The purpose of this letter is to assist you in identifying the specific corrections needed
to bring your deck and garden building projects into compliance with the relevant
Building and Municipal Codes.
This summarizes the observations made when we inspected the projects on September
1, 2000 at your request. If you need any further information or if you or your
contractors have any questions, please call me at 639 -4171.
This acknowledges that you have voluntarily contacted this department to find out what
would be needed to bring these projects into compliance. Thank you for your
cooperation. I hope that this letter summary of the corrections is helpful to you.
SITUATION SUMMARY:
Deck and garden construction projects were undertaken by a contractor without permits
and without detailed plans. Projects included the construction of:
1. Deck at front of home with attached planter box;
2. Deck at rear with roof framing and fiberglass roof;
3. Greenhouse on concrete foundation, approx. 6x8 ft.;
4. Three decorative rock ponds;
5. Extension of water line to hose bibbs at greenhouse and ponds;
6. Extension or addition of electrical circuit(s) to receptacles at greenhouse and
ponds.
Homeowner has become aware that no permits were taken out and that there are
violations of the One and Two Family Dwelling Code (OTFDC) in the construction as
it stands. Homeowner has been in touch with the State Contractors' Board and is
voluntarily cooperating and seeking to bring the construction into compliance.
13125 SW Hall lvd , Tigard, OR 97223 (503) 639 -4171 TDD (503) 684 -2772
1
Homeowner has taken out appropriate Building, Electrical, and Plumbing permits and
has drawn up and submitted diagrams of the decks as constructed. Building Division,
City of Tigard, has conducted an on -site inspection and has noted the following:
STRUCTURAL ITEMS:
Materials: Supporting posts, ledgers, beams, and joists of decks are of pressure treated
fir as required. Deck surface, guardrails, handrails, balusters, and stair treads for
decks, and ceiling joists, ledger, and braces at rear are of acceptable untreated Douglas
Fir with sealer /water repellant coating. OTFDC does not require pressure treated for
these items although homeowner should note that regular re- treatment with water
repellant will be required to extend useful life. Sizing of deck planking, ledgers, and
joists (2x6), girder (4x8), and supporting posts (4x4) are adequate, except as noted
below for ceiling joists at rear. Planter box and tool shed materials are not pressure -
treated and are not required to be. The existing cast concrete pier blocks are deemed
acceptable as bases for the supporting posts, given the number used, so long as the base
of each block is buried at least 3 -4" in soil or fill and the post anchor /post termination
is kept above grade and allowed to drain.
Corrections required:
1. Baluster spacing on all guardrails, gaps between guardrails and deck, gap between
guardrail and house wall: OTFDCode requires maximum 4" spacing (Section
315.4). Existing balusters are spaced alternately at 3" and 6 ", gap between deck
and lower rail varies from 3" to 6" approx., space between balusters and house wall
at front door slopes from approx 5" to 10 1/2". Balusters, rails, or lattice to be
added or repositioned to "not allow passage of an object 4 inches or more in
diameter."
2. Space between stairs and guardrail (front deck) right of stairs leaves diagonal gaps
of 4" to 7 ". OTFDCode requires maximum 5" gap (Section 315.4 Exception 2.)
Close with additional rail below or otherwise reduce gaps to 5" or less.
3. Space to left of stairs (front deck) is open. OTFDC Section 315.4 Ex. 2 above
requires guardrails with a maximum 5" gap. Install balusters, lattice, rails, etc., or
otherwise reduce gaps to 5" or less.
4. Stairs for rear deck have four risers, requiring a handrail on at least one side per
OTFDCode Section 315.1. Add handrail.
5. Handrail size: OTFDC Section 315.2 requires handgrip portion of handrails at
stairs to be "not less than 1 'A inches or more than 2 5/8 inches" or equivalent. 2x6
at front stairs is not acceptable. Install acceptable handgrips, stairs for front and
rear decks.
6. Joists are not attached to rim joists, load is not shared with outboard posts and pier
blocks. Attach joists to rim joist, using galvanized joist hangers from under decks
or nailing /screwing through from exterior.
7. Ceiling joists, rear deck: 2x6 Douglas Fir joists are used to span 10 ft. and 12 ft.
on 24 in centers. Allowable maximum ceiling span for 2x6 Douglas Fir #1 or #2 is
•
r.
10'9" on 24" and 12'3" on 16" centers. All existing 12 ft. joists are overspan.
Add and reposition 2x6 joists to 16" centers, with appropriate joist hangers. Two
of the 10 ft. joists have no hangers. Re -hang with hangers.
8. Girder butt joint: girder butt joint under front deck is inadequately secured, with '
in carriage bolt passing between the two girder segments. Add galvanized steel
straps or pressure- treated fir braces to both sides of joint.
GREENHOUSE: Foundations dug and poured within 5 ft. of side yard line, violating •
setback requirements of Municipal Code. Remove section in violation or abandon,
building no structure above the foundation within the 5 ft. setback unless a variance is
applied for and approved by the Zoning Department.
ELECTRICAL ITEMS:
1. Circuit(s) extended or new circuit(s) run to receptacle at decorative pool and to
greenhouse without electrical permit, plans, or inspection. Unable to inspect
without plans or description. Secure permit (done by homeowner) and have
electrical contractor review work and provide plans, schedule inspection. (May be
done by homeowner if property is not for sale or for rent.)
2. New receptacle at pool left live by contractor, reported by homeowner to be
interrupted by GFCI when used, indicating faulty installation. Have repaired prior
to inspection.
3. Make sure that materials used are properly rated for the installation.
PLUMBING ITEMS:
1. Water line extended to hose bibb at greenhouse and at decorative ponds without
plumbing permit, plans, or inspection. Secure permit (done by homeowner) and
have plumbing contractor review work and schedule for inspection.
2. No back -flow prevention device was observed. If none has been installed, have one
installed.
3. Make sure that materials used are properly rated for the installation.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerel i '
• 1 • • rt Shield •
Enforcement Officer, Building Division