Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (URM)

<p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>How were URMs in this database identified?</b></p>

<p>SDCI compiled an inventory of URM buildings from various
visual and permit research surveys performed over the years. This inventory was
validated by reviewing photographs of the buildings, visiting selected
buildings to view the exterior construction details, and reviewing permit
records and other documents, to verify each building should be included. The <a href='https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDCI/Codes/ChangesToCodes/UnreinforcedMasonry/ReportToPolicyCommitteeURMListValidation.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc'>2016
Report to Policy Committee on URM List Validation</a> provides a detailed
description of the data validation process.</p>

<p><br /></p>

<p><b>Are all of Seattle’s URMs included in this database?</b></p>

<p>This URM database is intended to be a comprehensive
inventory of URM buildings in Seattle. There may be URM buildings that were not
identified during the City’s inventory process; if a building is found to
contain URM load bearing walls and is not included in the inventory, it will be
classified as a URM and subject to future mandatory retrofit requirements.</p>

<p><br /></p>

<p><b>How often is this database updated? </b></p>

<p>The URM database is maintained regularly by staff, and updates are pushed to this dataset weekly. </p>

<p><br /></p>

<p><b>How does the City recognize URM buildings as retrofitted?</b></p>

<p>A URM building owner must provide the <a href='https://seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDCI/Codes/ChangesToCodes/UnreinforcedMasonry/ApplicationFormforRetrofittedURMStatusintheURMDatabase.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc'>required
documentation</a> and follow <a href='https://seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDCI/Codes/ChangesToCodes/UnreinforcedMasonry/ProceduretoApplyforRetrofittedURMStatus.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc'>submittal
procedures</a> to demonstrate compliance with Seattle Existing Building Code
section <a href='https://up.codes/viewer/seattle/iebc-2021/chapter/3/provisions-for-all-compliance-methods#new_304.5.1' rel='nofollow ugc'>304.5.1</a>.
This code section establishes a minimum standard for a URM to be recognized as
retrofitted. Once SDCI approves this documentation, the building’s status in
the “Confirmed Compliant Retrofit” column will be updated to “Yes”. An adjacent
column, “Retrofit Method per SEBC 304.5.1”, will be updated to reflect the
appropriate level of completed retrofit. See page 3 for further description of
columns and field values.</p>

<p><br /></p>

<p><b>When will URM retrofits be required?</b></p>

<ul>
 <li><span>Owners can undertake a voluntary retrofit at any time.</span></li>
 <li><span>Owners must retrofit URM building parapets (any wall
     that continues vertically past the roofline) when they are doing other
     permitted construction work in the building. (Per Seattle Existing
     Building Code <a href='https://up.codes/viewer/seattle/iebc-2021/chapter/3/provisions-for-all-compliance-methods#new_302.9' rel='nofollow ugc'>302.9</a>
     and <a href='https://up.codes/viewer/seattle/iebc-2021/chapter/A/guidelines-for-the-seismic-retrofit-of-existing-buildings#A113.6' rel='nofollow ugc'>A113.6</a>.)</span></li>
 <li><span>The SEBC currently requires that buildings be
     seismically retrofitted if owners are conducting a major renovation,
     occupying a vacant building, or changing the use or occupancy of the
     building.</span></li>
 <li><span>Future mandatory requirements:</span></li>
 <ul>
  <li><span>The City will not require a mandatory retrofit until
      financial and supportive resources have been clearly identified. The City
      passed <a href='https://seattle.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&amp;ID=10511702&amp;GUID=A7BE542B-83CC-416F-BE0E-B6D8626F76F8' rel='nofollow ugc'>Resolution
      32033</a> in 2021 guiding the development of a Seattle mandatory URM
      retrofit program. The resolution recommends a variety of potential
      funding opportunities and f

Tags: sdci, seattle-gis-open-data, unreinforced-masonry-buildings, urm
Organization: City of Seattle