Constuction Guidelines During WA Stay-at-Home Order
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At 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Gov. Inslee issued a stay-at-home order; this order takes effect on Wednesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. and will go for at least two weeks. See the order
here »
This order is in addition to those already issued that limited or closed dine-in restaurants, schools, salons, and gyms with bans on gatherings of 10+ people.
What does this new directive mean for home builders?
Under the Order “construction workers who support … construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction)” are listed as an “essential service.”
Based upon this language, homebuilders and remodelers may continue with operations while the stay-at-home order is in effect.
BIAW recommends, all companies that plan to continue to operate jobsites add these hygiene precautions to the usual safety requirements for workers:
- Continue social distancing of six feet
- Wash hands frequently and do not touch your face
- Wear gloves on jobsite
- Utilize jobsite best practices and 10-Point Plan for Building a Safer Job Site documents
Employers should also provide employees with a letter with your company name, contact, and statement that they are your employee working on your construction jobsite. Workers should always have the letter and their employee identification on them when commuting to and from jobsites.
Businesses not included in the list of essential services are required to have employees work remotely.
In accordance with the order, beginning Thursday morning, BIAW's offices will be closed. However, BIAW staff will still be available working remotely. Email will be easier and the timeliest way to connect with our staff.
Any questions?
Please contact Jan Himebaugh,
janh@biaw.com
or 425-577-1518.
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Central Washington Home Builders Assocation
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Home Resource & Buyer's Guide
Spring 2020 Edition Available
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You can find the Spring 2020 Home Resource & Buyers Guide here online. If you would like to display these in your business, we will gladly deliver a set of these when the the public health reccomendations have been lifted.
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CWHBA Membership Committee Meeting on Thursday
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CWHBA invites it members to join our next Membership Committee of the Board of Directors meeting this
Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:30am - 9:30am via ZOOM Conference Call.
During this meeting, we will be discussing the effects of recent public health concerns over COVID-19 and hoping to gain knowledge about what ways CWHBA can support our members and provide value during these trying times.
Please join us to observe, participate, or simply email us your ideas.
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BIAW Executive VP's Report,
from the desk of Greg Lane
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Updates include:
- Legislative Session Wrap-up
- Workers’ Comp Raid & HPA updates
- Resources for BIAW members regarding COVID-19
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Consider Enrolling in BIAW Health Trust
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The
BIAW Health Insurance Program
is proud to offer members of the
Central Washington Home Builders Association
an affordable group health insurance option. For over 20 years, the BIAW Health Insurance Program has set the standard among association health plans with its commitment to excellence in pricing, benefit plan designs, and customer service.
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Doctor on Demand Program for Participants
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Members of the BIAW Health Insurance Program also have access to telehealth powered by
Doctor On Demand
, a national leader in quality care. Members can talk to any of Doctor On Demand’s board-certified physicians any time by video chat on a computer or the mobile app—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Learn More >>
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Extra Time on Your Hands?
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Consider these learning opportunities that may be able to contribute to the success of your business.
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Content Marketing Webinar,
Constant Contact
March 26 @ 10am-11am PDT,
Content marketing is a way for you to reach your perfect customers by offering valuable, engaging information over time.
Learn More >>
Social Media Marketing,
US Small Business Administration
Marketing 101: A Guide to Winning Customers,
US Small Business Administration
30-minute course provides a basic overview of marketing for small business owners looking to reach a broader customer base and expand their markets.
Take the Course >>
Improving Your Business Through a Culture of Health,
Harvard University
Learn how a Culture of Health can transform your business to improve the well-being of your employees and company, while increasing revenue.
Sign up here >>
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Resources for Remote Work
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It’s difficult to try to keep things normal when the situation isn’t normal — this includes adjusting jobs to work from home. Find some expert guidance and best practices here.
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Tips for Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Crisis
Read More >>
- Establish Your Space
- Replicate Your Office Environment (If It Works for You)
- Set Up a Schedule
- Stick to Your Goals
- Check In Constantly
- Wear Pants
- Plan Ahead (As Much As You Can)
COVID-19 Has My Teams Working Remotely: A Guide for Leaders
Read More >>
- Individualization, expectations, communication are key for remote workers
- Managers need their leaders' support more than ever during this time
- Going fully remote may be your organization's new way to work
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In these days of video conferencing, texting, and file sharing, it is thankfully possible for many people to move their workdays to home. Here is a list of work-from-home tools we thoguht you might find useful.
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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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COVID-19 RESPONSE EFFORTS
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The Central Washington Home Builders Association (CWHBA) has been proactively working to stay in touch with
permitting and planning departments
and updating you all on changes to submission methods, inspections of occupied buildings, and how they do business to avoid exposure.
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You can find the most current city and county permitting status updates below.
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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 lgonzalez@cityofchelan.us
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
Closed to the public
- 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 massongy@ci.ellensburg.wa.us. 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 mcdonaldk@ci.ellensburg.wa.us. You can also email with any planning-related questions, or call (509) 962-7231
- More information here.
- 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 CD.director@co.chelan.wa.us, 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 cds@co.kittitas.wa.us 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 planning@co.okanogan.wa.us
- 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.
Offices closed to public
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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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