Bldg Letter dated 9-7-07.pdf11-� c 18 () "
CITY OF EDMONDS GARY HAAKENsoN
MAYOR
121 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • FAX (425) 771-0221
Website: wwwdedmonds.wa.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Planning • Building • Engineering
September 7, 2007
Mr. Bilal Jamil
9417 22e Street Southwest
Edmonds, Washington 98020
RE: Request for Code Modification Sleeping Room Egress Sill Height
Dear Mr. Jamil,
The City is in receipt of your request for code modification to provide a permanent step in lieu of
a complying sill height of 44 inches in a previous living room window that has been converted
into a sleeping room. The issues under question include the following:
• This is a change of use request as the original room use was living room. At the time of
original building construction there were no sill height requirements for windows in living
rooms. It is not reasonable to grant a code modification on a room that was never intended to
be used as a sleeping room.
• Secondly, the existing sliding door for this room has already been removed which is
unfortunate since keeping the sliding door would have resolved the emergency egress
requirement.
• Third, remodeling work on this room was started and completed without first obtaining a
building permit. It is not reasonable to grant a code modification on a violation especially
since the homeowner himself created the code hardship.
Egress from sleeping rooms is considered to be one of the most important and stringent codes as
egress windows are used to escape from danger or be rescued from. You have not provided any
information regarding structural rationale why the sill height cannot be provided without the
step. Therefore, without further detailed information the request will be denied.
Sincerely,
a6lpy
Jeannine L. Graf
Building Official
• Incorporated August 11, 1890 •