Washington Administrative Code
2023 Archive

Chapter 51-50 WAC
Last Update: 11/15/23

STATE BUILDING CODE ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
(Formerly chapter 51-40 WAC)
PDF of Chapter Digest
WAC Sections
51-50-001Authority.
51-50-002Purpose.
51-50-003International Building Code.
51-50-005International Building Code requirements for barrier-free accessibility.
51-50-007Exceptions.
51-50-008Implementation.
51-50-009Reserved.
51-50-0107Section 107—Construction documents.
51-50-0108Temporary structures and uses.
51-50-0110Reserved.
51-50-0200Chapter 2—Definitions.
51-50-0303Section 303—Assembly Group A.
51-50-0305Section 305—Educational Group E.
51-50-0306Section 306—Factory Group F.
51-50-0308Section 308—Institutional Group I.
51-50-0309Section 309—Mercantile Group M.
51-50-0310Section 310—Residential Group R.
51-50-0312Reserved.
51-50-0403Section 403—High-rise buildings.
51-50-0405Section 405—Underground buildings.
51-50-0406Reserved.
51-50-0407Reserved.
51-50-0412Section 412—Aircraft-related occupancies.
51-50-0420Section 420—Groups I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4.
51-50-0422Section 422—Ambulatory care facilities.
51-50-0427Reserved.
51-50-0429Section 429—Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
51-50-0430Section 430—Recycled materials.
51-50-0502Reserved.
51-50-0503Section 503—General building height and area limitations.
51-50-0504Section 504—Building height and number of stories.
51-50-0505Section 0505—Mezzanines and equipment platforms.
51-50-0506Reserved.
51-50-0508Section 508—Mixed use and occupancy.
51-50-0509Section 509—Incidental uses.
51-50-0510Section 510—Special provisions.
51-50-0601Reserved.
51-50-0602Section 602—Construction classification.
51-50-0603Reserved.
51-50-0703Reserved.
51-50-0704Section 704—Fire-resistance rating of structural members.
51-50-0705Section 705—Exterior walls.
51-50-0706Section 706—Fire walls.
51-50-07070Reserved.
51-50-0708Section 708—Reserved.
51-50-0710Section 710—Reserved.
51-50-0713Section 713—Shaft enclosures.
51-50-0716Section 716—Opening protectives.
51-50-0717Reserved.
51-50-0718Reserved.
51-50-0722Reserved.
51-50-0803Reserved.
51-50-0902Reserved.
51-50-0903Section 903—Automatic sprinkler systems.
51-50-0907Section 907—Fire alarm and detection systems.
51-50-0908Reserved.
51-50-0909Section 909—Smoke control systems.
51-50-0911Section 911—Fire command center.
51-50-0913Section 913—Fire pumps.
51-50-0915Section 915—Carbon monoxide detection.
51-50-0918Section 918—Emergency responder communication coverage enhancement.
51-50-1003Section 1003—General means of egress.
51-50-1004Section 1004—Occupant load.
51-50-1005Section 1005—Means of egress sizing.
51-50-1006Section 1006—Number of exits and exit access doorways.
51-50-1007Section 1007—Reserved.
51-50-1008Section 1008—Means of egress illumination.
51-50-1009Section 1009—Accessible means of egress.
51-50-10100Section 1010—Doors, gates, and turnstiles.
51-50-1011Section 1011—Stairways.
51-50-1012Section 1012—Ramps.
51-50-1014Section 1014—Handrails.
51-50-1015Section 1015—Guards.
51-50-10170Section 1017—Exit access travel distance.
51-50-1018Section 1018—Reserved.
51-50-1019Reserved.
51-50-1020Section 1020—Corridors.
51-50-1023Section 1023—Interior exit stairways and ramps.
51-50-10240Reserved.
51-50-1028Reserved.
51-50-10300Reserved.
51-50-1101Section 1101—General.
51-50-11050Reserved.
51-50-1106Section 1106—Parking and passenger loading facilities.
51-50-1107Section 1107—Motor vehicle related facilities.
51-50-1108Section 1108—Dwelling units and sleeping units.
51-50-11090Reserved.
51-50-1110Section 1110—Other features and facilities.
51-50-1202Section 1202—Ventilation.
51-50-1203Section 1203—Temperature control.
51-50-1204Reserved.
51-50-1206Reserved.
51-50-1207Reserved.
51-50-1208Section 1208—Interior space dimensions.
51-50-1209Reserved.
51-50-1210Section 1210—Toilet and bathroom requirements.
51-50-1402Section 1402—Performance requirements.
51-50-1403Reserved.
51-50-1405Reserved.
51-50-1406Reserved.
51-50-1602Reserved.
51-50-1604Reserved.
51-50-1607Reserved.
51-50-1609Section 1609—Reserved.
51-50-1613Section 1613—Earthquake loads.
51-50-1615Tsunami loads.
51-50-1702Reserved.
51-50-1705Section 1705—Required special inspections and tests.
51-50-17090Preconstruction load tests.
51-50-1710Reserved.
51-50-1715Reserved.
51-50-1807Section 1807—Foundation walls, retaining walls and embedded posts and poles.
51-50-1901Reserved.
51-50-1903Reserved.
51-50-1904Reserved.
51-50-1905Reserved.
51-50-1908Reserved.
51-50-1909Reserved.
51-50-2103Section 2103—Masonry construction materials.
51-50-2104Reserved.
51-50-2106Reserved.
51-50-21070Reserved.
51-50-2108Section 2108—Reserved.
51-50-2111Section 2111—Masonry fireplaces.
51-50-2114Reserved.
51-50-2115Section 2115—Emission standards.
51-50-2303Section 2303—Minimum standards and quality.
51-50-2304Section 2304—General construction requirements.
51-50-2400Reserved.
51-50-2405Section 2405—Sloped glazing and skylights.
51-50-2407Reserved.
51-50-2603Reserved.
51-50-2702Section 2702—Emergency and standby power systems.
51-50-2900Reserved.
51-50-2901Section 2901—General.
51-50-2902Section 2902—Minimum plumbing facilities.
51-50-3001Reserved.
51-50-30020Section 30020—Hoistway enclosures.
51-50-3004Reserved.
51-50-30050Section 3005—Machine rooms.
51-50-3006Section 3006—Elevator lobbies and hoistway opening protection.
51-50-3009Reserved.
51-50-3101Section 3101—General.
51-50-3102Reserved.
51-50-3103Temporary structures.
51-50-3108Section 3108—Reserved.
51-50-3109Section 3109—Swimming pools, spas and other water recreation devices.
51-50-3114Reserved.
51-50-3116Section 3116—Fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems.
51-50-3304Reserved.
51-50-3314Section 3314—Fire watch during construction.
51-50-3401Reserved.
51-50-3404Reserved.
51-50-3410Reserved.
51-50-3411Reserved.
51-50-3500Chapter 35—Referenced standards.
51-50-4700Appendix P—Construction and demolition material management.
51-50-4800002021 International Existing Building Code.
INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE
2021 EDITION
51-50-480101Section 101—Scope and general requirements.
51-50-480102Reserved.
51-50-480200Section 201.3—Definitions.
51-50-480302Section 302—General provisions.
51-50-480305Reserved.
51-50-480306Section 306—Accessibility for existing buildings.
51-50-480307Section 307—Reserved.
51-50-480401Section 401—General.
51-50-480403Reserved.
51-50-480405Section 405—Structural.
51-50-480407Reserved.
51-50-480408Section 408—Plumbing.
51-50-480409Reserved.
51-50-480410Reserved.
51-50-480503Section 503—Alterations.
51-50-480505Reserved.
51-50-480506Section 506—Change of occupancy.
51-50-480603Section 603—Alteration-Level 2.
51-50-480604Section 604—Alteration-Level 3.
51-50-480607Section 607—Reserved.
51-50-480702Section 702—Building elements and materials.
51-50-480704Reserved.
51-50-480705Reserved.
51-50-480707Reserved.
51-50-480708Energy conservation.
51-50-480711Reserved.
51-50-480804Reserved.
51-50-480805Section 805—Structural.
51-50-480807Reserved.
51-50-480808Reserved.
51-50-480809Section 809—Energy conservation.
51-50-480810Reserved.
51-50-480811Reserved.
51-50-480906Reserved.
51-50-480907Energy conservation.
51-50-480908Reserved.
51-50-480912Reserved.
51-50-481002Section 1002—Special use and occupancy.
51-50-481009Section 1009—Plumbing.
51-50-481012Reserved.
51-50-481101Section 1101—General.
51-50-481102Reserved.
51-50-481103Reserved.
51-50-481104Reserved.
51-50-481105Reserved.
51-50-481106Reserved.
51-50-481201Section 1201—Historic buildings—General.
51-50-481203Fire safety.
51-50-481204Reserved.
51-50-481205Reserved.
51-50-481301Reserved.
51-50-481302Reserved.
51-50-481401Relocated or moved buildings—General.
51-50-481402Section 1402—Requirements.
51-50-481500Section 1501—General.
51-50-481600Chapter 16—Referenced standards.
51-50-490000Reserved.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
51-50-004Conflicts with Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-004, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074.
51-50-0107Temporary structures and uses. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-0107, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-0108.
51-50-0302Section 302—Classification. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-0302, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-0313Section 313—Licensed Care Group LC. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-0313, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-0419Section 419—Group LC. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-0419, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-0707Section 707—Shaft enclosures. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-0707, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-0707, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-0708.
51-50-1010Section 1010—Ramps. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1010, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1017Corridors. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-1017, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-1018.
51-50-1024Section 1024—Assembly. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1024, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1030Emergency escape and rescue. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-1030, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.] Repealed by stipulated order 16-2-00594-34 of Thurston County Superior Court, WSR 16-11-018, filed 5/6/16, effective 6/30/16.
51-50-1103Section 1103—Scoping requirements. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1103, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1104Section 1104—Accessible route. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1104, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1105Section 1105—Accessible entrances. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1105, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1109Section 1109—Other features and facilities. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 05-01-014, § 51-50-1109, filed 12/2/04, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1109, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1605Section 1605—Load combinations. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 05-01-014, § 51-50-1605, filed 12/2/04, effective 7/1/05.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1709Section 1709—Structural observations. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-1709, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-1714Section 1714—Preconstruction load tests. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-1714, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-1715.
51-50-2107Section 2107—Working stress design. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 05-01-014, § 51-50-2107, filed 12/2/04, effective 7/1/05.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-2406Section 2406—Safety glazing. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.020, 19.27.031, 19.27.074 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 05-24-070, § 51-50-2406, filed 12/5/05, effective 7/1/06.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-3002Section 3002—Hoistway enclosures. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-3002, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-3003Section 3003—Emergency operations. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-3003, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-3005Section 3005—Conveying systems. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-3005, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 07-01-091, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-31200Section 31-2—Standard test method for particulate emissions from fireplaces. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-31200, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Repealed by WSR 13-04-067, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW.
51-50-3408Section 3408—Moved structures. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-3408, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-3410.
51-50-3409Section 3409—Accessibility for existing buildings. [Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-3409, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 04-01-108, § 51-50-3409, filed 12/17/03, effective 7/1/04.] Amended and decodified by WSR 10-03-097, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. Recodified as § 51-50-3411.