The Occupancy Permit (Day 486)

On Monday, I ventured into the big town (Port Townsend) to have a little visit with the building department. These folks are actually quite friendly and helpful, perhaps a sign of the times. They are a fee-based county department, meaning that they pay their people and do business on moneys collected from building permits and other fees. They have $4500 of our dollars, so I don't really mind using up some of their time, from time to time.

I needed to get a better grip on just what needs to be finished to get an "Occupancy Permit." Its a pretty self explanatory permit; you get one and you can occupy you house. Simple enough, but what's on their magical list. About 25 items, some that seem trivial but most of which deal with health and safety. Here's what they need to see (abridged for space). X means we've already finished with these items (i.e., installed and operable):

X Smoke detectors
X Fan in laundry room
X Sheetrock taped and sealed
X Plumbing in and inspected.
X Septic system finaled
X Heating system working
X Electrical outlets covered, no exposed wires (including light boxes)
X Roof drainage system installed
X Siding on and painted or stained
X Garage doors installed
X Glass doors on fireplaces
X 911 placard (address) installed
X Exterior doors and threshold fit tight and are weather stripped
X Waterlines insulated in crawl spaces
X Hotwater pressure-relief value drains to outside
X All holes in drywall filled (pipes, wires, ducts, etc)
X Insulation certificate on hand
X All glass in hazardous locations is tempered
X All bath and whole house fans installed and operable

Yet to be completed:
Firewall between house and garage (still need to install the fire rated door)
Crawl spaces and attic access sealed with weather stripping (easy)
Stairs and decks have handrails (working on this now)
All appliances installed, operable, and manuals on hand (at the end)
Dishwasher must have air gap device (at the end)
One complete and operational bathroom (seemingly the big enchilada for us)

As for the remaining items, the last seemed most daunting until I asked what all needs to be in the bathroom. Its a toilet and a sink. Shower or tub is optional. They said that in a pinch, you can clean up (bathe) in the sink. Go figure.

Things you don't need to occupy a house:
Paint on the walls. Very many lights. Carpet or other covering on the floors. A tub or shower. Window coverings. Cabinets in the kitchen or bathrooms. Just those little things that make a house a home.

Looks like we should be able to get our Occupancy Permit in the next month and perhaps quality for a $6500 tax break from Uncle Sam. Oh boy, I'm getting excited about finishing up this little project.