State Building Code Council delays code implementation to July 1, 2021-REPEALED

January 8, 2021

UPDATED 1/19/2021: The Governor has repealed this emergency rule. The implementation date returns to Feb. 1, 2021. 

After the City of Seattle announced it was delaying implementation of the 2018 building codes to March 15, 2021, the Washington State Building Code Council today voted 8-6 to delay implementation for the rest of the state to July 1, 2021.

The move comes in response to requests by the Building Industry Association of Washington and others to move the implementation date from Feb. 1, 2021, as previously planned to align with Seattle’s March 15 date.

BIAW government affairs coordinator, Damen Jeg, reports “there was heavy deliberation from both sides of the issue. But concerns for builders and the struggles they’ve faced through COVID-19 carried weight with the council members.”

The delayed implementation date applies to the residential energy, building, plumbing, fire and mechanical codes as well as the Washington state amendments that affect them.

Thank you to the local building associations and their outstanding government affairs teams, BIAW government affairs staff, Chair Diane Glenn and the members of the SBCC.

Code classes continue

The delay provides more opportunity for you and your team to familiarize yourselves with the changes to the 2018 codes. Our virtual “Significant Changes to the 2018 Codes” class covers changes to the residential energy, building, plumbing, fire and mechanical codes. It also covers the Washington state amendments that affect them.

Upcoming classes:

• 1 – 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2021
• 9 – 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2021
• 9 – 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2021

Find links to course fees and registration in the new BIAW Community on our website. Login required. Then click on “Class Schedule.”