Codes & Regulations
BIAW monitors codes and regulations, provides comments on pending rules and regulations, and provides resources and information to members. Check back for the latest information.
Building Codes
The International Code Council (ICC) publishes new model construction codes every three years. The State Building Code Council (SBCC), with the assistance of its Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), adopts those applicable to our state.
The 2021 Building Codes (including the Residential Code, Energy Code and WUI Code) went into effect MARCH 15, 2024. Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Initiative 2066 became law on Dec. 5, 2024, making it illegal to ban, restrict or otherwise disincentivize natural gas as an energy choice. BIAW has provided guidance for working with your local building officials.
Learn more
- View the two-hour webinar on the new codes offered by Washington State University’s Energy Program.
- Compliance made easy: View the 2021 WSEC-R Energy Code Cookbook by BetterBuiltNW
- Read BIAW’s Building Codes FAQs.
Sources
2024. RSMeans Data Online. Requires subscription, retrieved from https://www.rsmeans.com/
2021. 2021 IECC Residential Cost Effectiveness Analysis. Home Innovation Research Labs. Retrieved from https://www.nahb.org/-/media/NAHB/advocacy/docs/top-priorities/codes/code-adoption/2021-iecc-cost-effectiveness-analysis-hirl.pdf
“Estimated Costs of Building Code Changes.” National Association of Home Builders. Retrieved from https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/top-priorities/building-codes/construction-codes-standards-research/estimated-costs-of-building-code-changes