13.12.070 Repair and construction regulations.
(1) Trenches and Excavations – Safety Standards.
(a) All trenches or excavations within four feet of any public place and all obstructions or encroachments upon a public place shall be barricaded as required for public safety. It is unlawful to fail to maintain the lateral support of any public place while constructing, altering or repairing any side sewer or storm drain. All trenches or excavations shall be covered during hours of inactivity of work on the side sewer.
(b) Barricades posted upon arterial streets or highways must conform to the standards established by the WSDOT, and/or such addenda to such standards as the County may establish.
(c) All work performed under the authority of this section shall be accomplished within the minimum safety standards prescribed by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Evidence of failure to comply with the requirements of L&I shall be sufficient reason for the Director to order stoppage of work until the required safety precautions are established on the job.
(2) County May Complete Unfinished Work. Work within the limits of any public area shall be prosecuted to completion with due diligence in accordance with a valid permit, and if any excavation is left open, whether covered or uncovered, beyond a time reasonably necessary to fill the same, the Director may cause the same to be backfilled and the public area restored forthwith. Costs incurred by the Director in such work shall be charged to the side sewer contractor in charge of such work and shall be immediately payable to the County by the contractor upon written notification of the amount thereof given to the contractor or posted at the location. A lien shall be placed on the property if payment is not received within 30 days of the date of written notification.
(3) Owner or Contractor Liable for County Completion Costs. If any work performed on a side sewer is not completed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the plans and specifications as approved by the Director, and if the contractor or person doing the work refuses to properly construct and complete such work, notice of such failure or refusal shall be posted on the premises where the work is being done, and the Director may cause the work to be completed and the sewer connected in the proper manner, and the cost of such work and any materials necessary therefor shall be charged to the owner or contractor and be payable by the owner or contractor immediately upon the Director giving written notice of the amount thereof or posting a notice thereof on the premises. A lien shall be placed on the property if payment is not received within 30 days of the date of written notification.
(4) In no case shall the County be responsible for the maintenance or repair of side sewers on property not owned by the County.