The State Building Code (SBC) provides a set of statewide standards and requirements related to building construction. The SBC is comprised of various international model codes, including building, residential, fire, and plumbing codes (model codes) adopted by reference by the Legislature. The model codes are promulgated by the International Code Council.
The State Energy Code (Energy Code) is part of the SBC, which sets the minimum construction requirements for buildings in the state. The Energy Code establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings.
On August 19, 2023, the Governor declared a state of emergency for all of Washington due to the high risk of wildfires throughout the state.
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) must establish and administer a disaster relief payment program to provide assistance to qualifying property owners and local governments that had buildings damaged or destroyed by wildfires. Commerce must develop a system for evaluating applications in consultation with the emergency management division of the Military Department and tribal and local government emergency authorities.
In order to be eligible for disaster relief payments, a property owner who had a building damaged or destroyed during a wildfire after January 1, 2023, must meet all of the following criteria:
Disaster relief payments awarded by Commerce may only be used for the purpose of meeting increased energy efficiency standards, providing or increasing electric vehicle charging capacity, and the installation and use of solar panels on a building that did not, prior to being damaged or destroyed, use solar panels.
Until June 30, 2026, the SBC and Energy Code does not apply to the permitting, repair, or reconstruction of a rebuilt residential building to the extent that it would require additional energy efficiencies or offsets on, restrict, or prohibit the construction or use of a propane tank as a secondary heating source for the rebuilt building. Cities and counties may not prohibit the construction or use of a propane tank as a secondary heating source in a rebuilt residential building.