State Building Code Council. The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for adopting and updating the State Building Code, which provides minimum construction, mechanical, fire, plumbing, and energy code requirements for buildings in the state of Washington. The code consists of certain model codes, such as the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted and amended by SBCC for use in Washington. These codes help to ensure buildings and facilities constructed in the state are safe, accessible, energy efficient, and healthy for building occupants.

State Building Code Council Membership. SBCC consists of 15 members, appointed by the Governor. Six members represent local jurisdictions, including:

• two members who are county elected legislative body members or elected executives;
• two members who are city elected legislative body members or mayors;
• one member who is a local government building code enforcement official; and
• one member who is a local government fire service official.

SBCC includes two public members; one member is a person with a physical disability and represents the disability community, and one member, who is not eligible for membership on the council in any other capacity, who has not previously been nominated or appointed to the council to represent any other group, and represents the general public.

Seven members represent the private sector or professional organizations, including:

• one member representing commercial and industrial general construction;
• one member representing residential and multifamily general construction;
• one member representing the architectural design profession;
• one member representing the structural engineering profession;
• one member representing the mechanical engineering profession;
• one member representing the construction building trades; and
• one member representing manufacturers, installers, or suppliers of building materials and components.

At least 6 of the 15 members must reside east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Each of the 15 councilmembers appointed by the Governor hold office until the appointment of a successor, not to exceed 90 days after the term has expired. If no appointment is made to replace the member after 90 days, the member's position becomes vacant.

SBCC consists of 21 members and the composition of members is modified. SBCC members representing local elected legislative members must include:

• an elected legislative body member or elected county executive serving a population of no more than 300,000 residents;
• an elected county legislative body member or elected county executive serving a population greater than 300,000 residents;
• an elected city legislative body member or city mayor serving a population of no more than 50,000 residents; and
• an elected city legislative body member or city mayor serving a population greater than 50,000 residents.

The requirement that one member be a person with a physical disability is changed to allow for the member to be an expert in accessibility. One member must be a utility provider serving residents and businesses.

The number of members representing the private sector or professional organizations is changed from 7 to 13, to include members representing:

• general construction specializing in single-family residential building construction;
• general construction specializing in multifamily building construction;
• general construction specializing in green or sustainable building construction;
• general construction, specializing in remodeling or renovation building construction;
• the plumbing profession; and
• licensed real estate agents.

The requirement that one member represent manufacturers, installers, or suppliers of building materials and components, is replaced with a member that represents specialty construction, specializing in the installation of building materials and components and a member that represents manufacturers or suppliers of building materials and components.

The requirement that six members reside east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains, is replaced with a requirement that ten members reside in cities with no more than 50,000 residents or counties with no more than 300,000 residents.