HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5552
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government
Title: An act relating to the creation of building codes for kit homes.
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 History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 3/26/25, 4/1/25 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
(As Amended by Committee)
  • Requires the State Building Code Council to conduct rulemaking on the portions of the State Building Code applicable to kit homes by November 1, 2026.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Duerr, Chair; Parshley, Vice Chair; Klicker, Ranking Minority Member; Stuebe, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Griffey, Hunt and Zahn.
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 Amended Bill:

Kit homes are structures intended for residential use that are 800 square feet or smaller, and comprised of prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs that are meant to be assembled on-site.  Pallet shelters and other prefabricated shelters designed for use as temporary emergency shelters are not kit homes.

 

The Council must conduct rulemaking on the portions of the Code applicable to kit homes by November 1, 2026.  The Council may thereafter update the Code as related to kit homes.
Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

The amendment:

  • provides that kit homes do not include pallet shelters or other prefabricated temporary emergency shelters; and
  • changes the date by which the Council must perform rulemaking related to kit homes from December 31, 2025, to November 1, 2026. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Kit homes have been around for more than 100 years.  Getting the Council to do rulemaking related to kit homes now should help address the housing crisis, as it adds another choice to the menu of housing opportunities.  Kit homes can be  flexible, and may serve as an accessory dwelling unit or a primary residence.

 

(Opposed) None.

 

(Other) An adoption date in 2025 would make the Council undertake rulemaking outside of its normal cycle, and the Council is already struggling to comply with the normal update cycle.  This would be a new code, as there currently are no model codes for kit homes.  The Council would like to have until November 1, 2026, to conduct rulemaking.  It is better to direct the Council to conduct rulemaking, as this bill does, than it is to put requirements directly into statute. 
Persons Testifying:

(In support) Senator Jeff Wilson, prime sponsor.

(Other) Dustin Curb, Washington State Building Code Council; and Tim Woodard, Washington Assn. of Building Officials.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.