A. Permits Required. Except as specified in subsection B of this section, no building, structure or building service equipment regulated by this code and the Specialty Codes shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate, appropriate permit for each building, structure or building service equipment has first been obtained from the building official.

B. Work Exempt from Permit. A permit shall not be required for the types of work in each of the separate classes of permit as listed below. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of the Specialty Codes or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

1. Building Permits. A building permit shall not be required for the following:

a. One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected roof area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet (11.15m2);

b. Fences are not over six feet (one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine (1,829) mm) high;

c. Oil derricks;

d. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (one thousand seven hundred fifty-three (1,753) mm) high;

e. Retaining walls which are not over four feet (one thousand two hundred nineteen (1,219) mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids;

f. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons (eighteen thousand nine hundred twenty-five (18,925) L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one;

g. Platforms, walks and driveways not more than thirty (30) inches (seven hundred sixty-two (762) mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below;

h. Painting, papering and similar finish work;

i. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery;

j. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group M occupancies when projecting not more than fifty-four (54) inches (one thousand three hundred seventy-two (1,372) mm;

k. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3, occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and if the capacity does not exceed five thousand (5,000) gallons (eighteen thousand nine hundred twenty-five (18,925) L);

l. Agricultural buildings. Unless otherwise exempted by this code, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above exempted items.

2. Plumbing Permits. A plumbing permit shall not be required for the following:

a. The stopping of leaks in drains, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that should any concealed trap, drainpipe, soil, waster or vent pipe become defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, the same shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be procured and inspection made as provided in this code;

b. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, nor for the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

3. Mechanical Permits. A mechanical permit shall not be required for the following:

a. A portable heating appliance;

b. Portable ventilating equipment;

c. A portable cooling unit;

d. A portable evaporative cooler;

e. A closed system of steam, hot or chilled water piping within hating or cooling equipment regulated by the mechanical code;

f. Replacement of a component part of assembly of an appliance which does not alter its original approval and complies with other applicable requirements of the Specialty Codes;

g. Refrigerating equipment which is part of the equipment for which a permit has been issued pursuant to the requirement of the Specialty Codes;

h. A unit refrigerating system as defined in the mechanical code. (Prior code § 9.301)