CWHBA is a member focused association that serves its members by
providing resources and a network
to positively influence the building industry.
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The above vision statement is what guides everything we do here as staff at CWHBA but it was particular inspiration for this special edition of the Punchlist. Throughout the last few days, we have striven
to be a resource for the most accurate, up-to-date, and industry-specific information
regarding government and community response to coronavirus fears. Below you will find all of that information collected in one place focused on keeping the doors open, the lights on, businesses operating, and commerce flowing.
While nobody can be sure of what the next few days and weeks will bring, we’ll be here to advocate and inform. As always, we’re available by phone or
email
for anything at all.
Best Wishes,
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The Central Washington Home Builders Association (CWHBA) has been proactively working to stay in touch with
permitting and planning departments
as well as commissioners and council members to make the case for keeping permitting offices open and permits on track. There will be
changes to submission methods, inspections of occupied buildings, and how they do business
to avoid exposure.
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Below, we have included the current status of these departments, but encourage you to check our
COVID-19 Response Page
regularly for the most recent updates throughout the coming days.
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Planning and Building asks that the public call or email and limit in office visits unless absolutely necessary.
- Building will perform all new construction inspections; however, occupied structure inspections will be done on a case by case basis. If your inspection is within an occupied building, please email or call us about your inspection at (509) 682-8017
- Luis Gonzalez Building & Fire Code Official [email protected]
Reduced Hours for City Hall (10:00-2:00)
- Building permits accepted during open hours and via mail: 119 West First Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922
- All permits other than building accepted electronically with payments by phone or check
City hall closed to the public, staff still reporting for work
- Plumbing, mechanical and roofing permits can be submitted online by clicking on the SmartGovbutton located here.
- Other building permits can be submitted via email to Building Permit Technician, Yesenia Medina at [email protected]. You can also email your building questions to Yesenia, or call (509) 962-7239.
- To request a building inspection, call (509) 962-7142 no later than 4:00 to request an inspection for the next day
- Planning applications can be submitted electronically to Kelli McDonald at [email protected]. You can also email with any planning-related questions, or call (509) 962-7231
- More information here.
City offices closed to public, permits still being processed
- Visitation from the public may be available by appointment; please call (509) 548-5275 for more information or to make an appointment.
- Development Services Department staff will be available by phone or email, on a limited basis
- Building inspections will be scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
- Pre-application meetings will resume in May
- Design Review permit/review meetings will resume May 13, 2020
- Planning Commission Hearing and meeting postponed to May 6, 2020
All city offices closed
City staff will still be accepting and processing right-of-way applications, fire hydrant valve applications, building and land use permits.
- Applications can be submitted to the City in a variety of ways, including:
- Online at: https://ci-wenatchee-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home
- By mail: 1350 McKittrick St. Wenatchee, WA 98801
- You can pay for your approved permit through the following methods:
- By phone by calling: (509) 888-3244
- By mail: 1350 McKittrick St. Wenatchee, WA 98801
- Secure drop-box: Located at the main door of the Public Services Building at 1350 McKittrick St
- Paid permits will be issued electronically and emailed to you.
City staff will continue to perform building inspections under the following precautions:
- Please do not request inspections where work is in an occupied home or building where there are occupants present who are displaying any symptoms of illness, are currently sick, or have been sick in the last 14 days.
- If the inspection involves work in an occupied home or work area and the inspection is not time sensitive, please consider postponing your request for a later date.
- Inspections may be cancelled or postponed at the inspector’s discretion if there are any health concerns regarding exposure to sick or symptomatic individuals.
Planning Commission Canceled – No other changes at this time
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County Permitting Updates
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Office closed to public, building permit submittal and pick-up by appointment only.
- Processing permits and applications and scheduling/performing building permit inspections.
- All land use applications are requested to be submitted via mail or the drop box at the Community Development entrance (316 Washington Street, Suite 301)
- If supplemental materials are being submitted, there will be a transmittal form available to identify the project or permit number.
- Wait times for all submittals this week may be significantly increased.
- Please submit general inquiries via email to [email protected], or telephone (509) 667-6225, for both building and planning.
No Changes
County buildings are closed to the public, permits and planning are continuing as scheduled
- Building permit applications requiring full size plans may be mailed to 411 N. Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg, Washington 98926. Applications must include a check for the required fees made out to Kittitas County CDS.
If you would like to pay fees by credit card, please indicate that in your application and we will contact you by phone for credit card information. Please note that a 3% service fee is required if paying by credit card.
- All other applications may be submitted to [email protected] or may be submitted by mail to 411 N. Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg, Washington 98926. Applications must include a check for the required fees made out to Kittitas County CDS or pay by credit card with 3% fee.
- Once CDS staff has collected and reviewed your submittal, we will contact you to verify receipt of your application and to let you know if additional information or submittal items are required.
- We will continue to conduct inspections at this time, implementing procedure changes to reduce in-person contact. Please respect our inspectors and give them space while they are conducting inspections.
- Pre-application conferences have been temporarily waived for all applications.
No Changes – Social distancing and rescheduling if there has been exposure
Closed to the public for foot traffic but open for business
- The Planning office is staffed for call in and email assistance.
- Applications are being accepted by mail or email only. Please mail checks and or applications to: Okanogan County Planning Department, 123 5th Ave. N. Suite 130 Okanogan, WA 98840.
- Front Desk (509) 422-7160 [email protected]
- If your project requires a preapplication meeting with a staff member please call that staff member to set up an appointment. If you are showing any signs of illness please do not set up a preapplication meeting.
No Changes – Planning Commission Canceled
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Significant Changes to the 2018 Codes
COURSE GOING DIGITAL
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Thursday, April 9th 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Member Full Amt $85.00
Non-Mbr Full Amt $150.00
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We will be hosting this through an online platform TBD.Learn the significant changes from the last edition to the current edition (2018) of the International Residential Code, including Washington amendments, as well as the Plumbing, Fire and Mechanical Codes. This class will also include the recently adopted changes to the Washington Energy Code. These
changes take effect July 1st
, so don't miss your chance to take advantage of this great class at a remarkable price.
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Extra Time? FREE Professional Development
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Here are a few FREE opporutinties we have come across that can contribute to the success of your business.
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- Keeping the Lights On; a Business Resiliency Webinar, March 20 @ 11am - 12pm PDT, WA Small Business Development Center. Learn More >>
- AWB COVID-19 Business Impact Webinar, March 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 pm PDT, WA Small Business Development Center. Learn More >>
- Content Marketing Webinar, March 26 @ 10am-11am PDT, Constant Contact Learn More >>
- How Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Impacting Small Businesses and What You Can Do About It, The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is developing rapidly, leaving many small business owners uncertain about their future. Read More >>
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COVID-19 Local Permitting Action Plan
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Home builders can spur quick economic growth and reinvigorate the economy after the restrictions and quarantines are lifted. But in order to do this, the
builders need to have approved permits in hand.
- Ask county and city governments to delay implementation of new or upcoming regulations.
- Ask county and city governments to request the governor delay implementation of all new building codes set to be implemented on July 1, 2020.
- Request construction be allowed to continue as an essential service.
- Request financial institutions, including title and escrow, continue as an essential service....
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2018 Washington State Energy Code Update
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Building Industry Association of WA has reached out to the governor’s office
seeking assistance to delay the implementation of the 2018 Washington State Energy Codes
. The Washington State Building Code Council approved all new building codes to be implemented on July 1, 2020, which was then sent to the WA State Legislature who gave their approval this session...
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Working with the White House on Housing Stimulus
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"With the coronavirus hitting all sectors of the economy, NAHB is working diligently to mitigate its effects on the residential construction sector...Our message to the White House is simple, yet urgent: As housing goes, so goes the economy. We are just at the beginning stages of this process. We’ll reevaluate as the situation progresses and will be making more policy asks as warranted.
Meanwhile, builders in the near-term should be prepared for approval and other business delays, check on their subs and workforce, and watch their cash reserves. Once mitigation efforts end to check the spread of the coronavirus, housing should be set for a rebound given low mortgage rates."
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IRS Extends 2020 Tax Payment Date
:
The President has instructed the Treasury Department to allow individuals and businesses negatively affected by the coronavirus to defer their tax
payments
beyond the April 15 filing deadline. The IRS would also waive interest payments or other penalties for missing the deadline.
Learn More >>
Excise Tax Filing Assistance:
The Washington State Department of Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their excise taxes on time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Affected businesses may qualify for filing extensions or penalty waivers.
Learn more »
Small Business Administration (SBA):
SBA will be providing up to $2 million in Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19.
Learn more »
Export Voucher Program:
The Washington State Department of Commerce Export Assistance Team is available to help companies that need vouchers to help pay for some of the costs for certain business needs.
Find out if you are eligible »
B&O Tax:
The WA State Department of Revenue is allowing businesses to request a one-time, 24-month penalty waiver if you have not owed a late penalty in the last 24 months. Also, businesses can request a 30-day extension of B&O taxes without payment or 30+ days with deposit. For more information, call (360) 705-6705.
Learn more »
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Washington State Unemployment:
If you or an employee is affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help. The agency has adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and quarantine for workers and businesses.
Learn more »
Paid Family and Medical Leave:
If you are sick with COVID-19, as with any other illness, a healthcare provider must certify that you are unable to work in order to qualify for Paid Family and Medical Leave. Quarantine (and school closures) are not qualifying events under this program. It is recommended that you use employer-provided paid sick leave if available.
SharedWork Program:
SharedWork is a voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. This is a little known but powerful program to help workers stay employed while drawing needed benefits
.
Learn more »
Department of Financial Resources Institutions:
Here is a list of financial resources for Washington Residents impacted by COVID-19
.
Learn more »
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- Centers for Disease Control: Learn more »
- Washington Department of Health – COVID-19 Information Learn more »
- More Washington State Dept of Health - Workplace: Learn more »
- SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus: Learn more »
- Workers' Compensation Coverage and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Questions: Learn more »
- NAHB Coronavirus Preparedness: Learn more »
- Planning for a Coronavirus Pandemic: A guide for businesses and organizations: Learn more »
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By a vote of 90-8, the Senate on March 18
approved H.R. 6201
, the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. The bill will guarantee free coronavirus testing, establish paid leave for all employees, enhance unemployment insurance, expand food security initiatives and increase federal Medicaid funding...
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President Trump announced today that he has directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development to
suspend foreclosures and evictions
for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration through the end of April...
Read More >>
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CWHBA Events on Hold Through April
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In response to the public health threat of COVID-19, we have postponed any gathering or planned events cancelled through the month of April. We will continue communicating with those affected by these event cancellations and working to develop a plan, as we get better understanding of the long term affect. The upcoming events in May are tentative at this time and we will regularly keep you updated with decisions for cancellation or postponement.
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CWHBA Yakima | 3301 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902
CWHBA Wenatchee | 25 N. Wenatchee Ave., Suite 207-B, Wenatchee, WA 98801
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