1. If the cost to the owner is less than $4000, a permit is not required. However, all repairs must conform to this policy (see 1997 Seattle Building Code, Section 106.2). Exception: Minor patching does not require a permit, and need not comply with this policy.
2. Where chimney repairs extend below the top of the smoke chamber, the smoke chamber and the chimney must be entirely rebuilt in full compliance with current code requirements. A building permit will be required, and permit and plan review fees will be based on the value of construction. If the chimney extends more than 12 feet above the roof line, an engineer must design the chimney and its connections to the building.
3. All chimneys must either be repaired with reinforced masonry or be replaced with a factory-built metal chimney.

Exception: 1. Where damage is confined to the top 2 feet of the chimney, the damaged portion may be replaced in kind, provided that chimneys extending more than 12 feet in height above the roof are externally braced to the roof structure.

2. Where the existing chimney is of a size that cannot be reinforced, it may be rebuilt using unreinforced masonry provided that chimneys more than 3 feet in height above the roof are externally braced to the roof structure.

1. All chimneys that extend more than 3 feet in height above the roof must be supported at a minimum of two points, unless the provisions of Exception 1 to Section A.3 of this policy apply.
2. Any existing unreinforced masonry that is to remain must be inspected for damage or deterioration, and tuckpointed as needed.
3. The permit fee for repair shall be the minimum required for STFI permits, if DCLU standard details are used or an engineered design is used which has no correction comments. An additional plan review fee will be added if written correction comments are necessary on engineered designs.

B.   Repair Options:

Option 1 — support at floor and roof lines. Demolish the existing chimney to the floor line below the roof. Rebuild from that point upward in reinforced masonry in compliance with Attachment A “Typical Masonry Fireplace Chimney Repair” standard detail. To transition from the existing chimney to the new chimney, Attachment B “Concrete Bond Beam Anchorage Into Building” standard detail shall be used. Tie the reinforced portion to the building at the roof line and the floor line below the roof.

Option 2 — support at top of smoke chamber, floors, and roof. Demolish the existing chimney to the top of the fireplace smoke chamber. Rebuild from that point upward in reinforced masonry in compliance with Attachment A. Tie the reinforced portion to the building at the roof line and any floor line.

Option 3 — brace to roof and support at roof line. Demolish the existing chimney to just below the roof line. Rebuild from that point upward in reinforced masonry in compliance with Attachments A and B. Tie the chimney to the building at the roof line and provide an external brace in the upper portion of the chimney in compliance with Attachment C “Typical Masonry Chimney Roof Brace” standard detail. Where the existing chimney is of a size that cannot be reinforced, it may be rebuilt using unreinforced masonry. Unreinforced masonry chimneys less than 3 feet in height above the roof need not be braced.

Option 4 — replacement with factory built metal chimney. Demolish the existing chimney to the top of the smoke chamber. Add a UL or equivalent listed metal chimney transition assembly and a factory-built metal chimney above in accordance with Attachment D “Transition from Masonry Fireplace To Metal Chimney” and Attachment E “Adapter Kit, Transition from Masonry Fireplace To Metal Chimney” standard details. Tie the metal chimney at the roof level and brace the upper portion back to the roof for extensions according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A metal stud chase may be built to enclose the metal chimney as shown in Attachment F “Metal Stud Chase” standard detail; a roof brace for the chase should be installed as shown in Attachment G “Metal Stud Chase Roof Brace” standard detail.

Option 5 — engineered design. Engineered designs may be submitted for the entire chimney or portions of the chimney, including bracing. C. Inspections of Repair Work Under a Building Permit: The owner or contractor must call DCLU for inspections at the following times:

1. when the chimney demolition is complete and the contractor is ready to start;
2. prior to transitioning from the smoke box (if applicable), OR prior to placing concrete for the bond beam per Attachment B (if applicable), OR prior to installing steel straps to the floor/roof framing; and
3. when the work is complete.

The owner or contractor must call DCLU for inspections at the following times:

1. when the chimney demolition is complete and the contractor is ready to start;
2. prior to transitioning from the smoke box (if applicable), OR prior to placing concrete for the bond beam per Attachment B (if applicable), OR prior to installing steel straps to the floor/roof framing; and
3. when the work is complete.

To request an inspection for a chimney repair, call the DCLU Inspection Request Line at (206) 684-8900.

DCLU recognizes that previous policies may not have required this type of repair in the City of Seattle. However, these policies are less restrictive than rules other jurisdictions have put in place after earthquakes. The benefits of this policy are:

• Life safety should be enhanced
• In previous earthquakes, chimneys with repairs such as these have exhibited better behavior