06/10/2026
I represent Western Washington cities on the State Building Code Council. The SBCC sets building standards statewide.
The SBCC adopts building codes on a three-year cycle and we have reached an important milestone, releasing the latest building codes for public comment. Of interest are work on housing affordability and climate.
Public hearings will be held on June 10th and June 12th for live or remote testimony, or comments can be sent to [email protected]. Details are at https://sbcc.wa.gov
Public comment on the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fire Code (IFC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is open through June 12th. Public comment on the Washington State Energy Codes, Commercial (WSEC-C) and Residential (WSEC-R) will open on July 1st through August 7th.
In addition to changes based on the 2024 version of international codes and those recommended by technical advisory groups, I wanted to highlight some potential changes.
To help with housing affordability:
- Standards to build multiplex housing up to 6 units under the International Residential Code instead of the more involved International Building Code (see IRC Appendix WD, p. 100)
- Standards for building six story multifamily housing with a single stair exit (see IBC Appendix T, p. 104)
Important proposals on climate:
- Changes to standards for electric vehicle charging, increasing number of EV-capable spaces (see IBC, p. 18-19)
- Optional appendix to building code that individual jurisdictions can choose to adopt setting standards to measure and reduce the embodied carbon impact of building materials over the course of a building's life (see IBC Appendix S, p. 102).
After considering public comment, SBCC will take final action later this year. Updated codes will become effective May 3rd, 2027.
The SBCC has filed CR-102 for the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code. The public comment period for these codes is now open May 6, 2026, and will close June 12, 2026, after conclusion of th...
