Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Local Government Committee
SSB 5552
Brief Description: Concerning the creation of building codes for kit homes.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Wilson, J., Shewmake, Fortunato, Nobles, Braun, Short, Gildon, Christian, Chapman, Holy, McCune, Warnick, Goehner, Dozier, Wilson, C., Slatter, Cortes, Liias, Frame, Krishnadasan and Ramos).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires the State Building Code Council to conduct rulemaking on the portions of the State Building Code applicable to kit homes by December 31, 2025.
Hearing Date: 3/26/25
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134).
Background:

The State Building Code Council (Council) is a state agency responsible for the adoption of the State Building Code (Code).  The Code establishes the minimum requirements and standards for buildings and facilities constructed in the state.  The Code consists of the State Energy Code, model codes adopted by reference, as well as any amendments made to the model codes by the Council.  The model codes are the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Fire Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code standards, and portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code.  The Council updates the Code on a three-year cycle, following the update cycle of the model codes.

 

The most recent update to the Code went into effect on March 15, 2024.
Summary of Bill:

Kit homes are structures intended for residential use that are 800 square feet or smaller, comprised of prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs that are meant to be assembled on-site.

 

The Council must conduct rulemaking on the portions of the Code applicable to kit homes by December 31, 2025.  The Council may thereafter update the Code as related to kit homes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.