EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY		CONTACT:	Sue Simpson, 425-556-2434
August 10, 2007			Marta Gronlund, 425-638-2333

Redmond Property Owners Get Break on Insurance

Results of a recent evaluation of how the City of Redmond administers and enforces its building codes could mean dollar savings for property owners in obtaining insurance coverage for future property loss. The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule study, performed by the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau, examined how effectively the City can ensure that the building codes and enforcement of those codes help to minimize or avoid potential building damage from natural hazards.

The City received the score of 2 (on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being less than the minimum recognized protection). This score places all of Redmond’s new residential, commercial and industrial property in the top group of cities, allowing credits to be applied to the cost of insurance premiums purchased against property damage or loss resulting from a natural disaster. The rating applies only to buildings receiving a certificate of occupancy or final inspection during 2007 or later and continues with the building throughout its economic life.

The Rating Bureau's analysis covered a number of areas, including building code enforcement, construction drawing review and building inspection process for compliance with the adopted codes and regulations, as well as certification and training of Building Division staff.

For more information, contact Sue Simpson, Supervisor Permit Technicians and Plans Examiners, at 425-556-2434.

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