HB 2141 — Building codes

Summary

Concerning building codes.

Bill Text

Compared against the Revised Code of Washington as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 4 section(s) of the Revised Code of Washington: RCW 19.27.031; RCW 19.27.032; RCW 19.27A.015; RCW 19.27A.160.

• RCW 19.27.031

  (3) The in a three-year state building code adoption cycle. The state building code adoption cycle follows the adoption cycle of the model codes. Substantive changes to the state building code may only be adopted within the three-year cycle except as provided in RCW 19.27.032 most → Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code: PROVIDED, That, notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying handheld candles; (d) Only those portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, published by the International Code Council Inc., as specifically referenced in RCW 19.27.560(1), or the model International Wildland Urban Interface Code specifically referenced in RCW 19.27.560(2); (e) The Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials: PROVIDED, That any provisions of such code affecting sewers or fuel gas piping are not adopted; (f) The rules adopted by the council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160; and (g) The state's climate zones for building purposes are designated in RCW 19.27A.020 (4) and may not be changed through the adoption of a model code or rule. (2) In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsection (1) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following. (3)(a) Starting with the adoption of the 2036 edition of the model codes, the model codes enumerated in this section shall be adopted or amended by the council as provided in RCW 19.27.074 and 19.27.032 through 19.27.034 no more than every six years. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning with the effective date of the 2024 adoption of the building codes as described in this subsection, the council shall not initiate, adopt, or implement any further editions, revisions, or updates to the building codes for 10 years. (c) of publication printed in each model code. If only a month and year are shown, the date of publication for such code shall be the last day of the month shown. (4) The council may initiate and implement an interim code adoption cycle for all Washington state building codes if a majority of its voting membership determines one is needed to correct errors and omissions, or eliminate obsolete, conflicting, redundant, or unnecessary regulations as provided in RCW 19.27.032 through 19.27.034. (5) Petitions for emergency statewide amendments to the building code may be submitted, considered, and adopted at any time in accordance with RCW 34.05.350 and 19.27.032 through 19.27.034. (6) Off-cycle amendments to any of the Washington state building codes may be initiated and implemented at any time if directed by the legislature. (7) The council shall solicit input from first responders to ensure that firefighter safety issues are addressed during the code adoption process. (8) The council may issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local official charged with the duty to enforce the enumerated codes.

  amended

• RCW 19.27.032

  Substantive only once during the three-year state building code adoption cycle three-year → read as follows: (1) Adoption or amendment of the state building code or statewide amendments to the state building code as defined in RCW 19.27.031 must meet the following criteria: (a) Beginning with the effective date of the 2024 adoption of the building codes as described in RCW 19.27.031(3), the council shall not initiate, adopt, or implement any further editions, revisions, or updates to the building codes for 10 years. Starting with the adoption of the 2036 edition of the model codes, substantive updates to the state building code shall occur no more than every six years as described in RCW 19.27.031(3). No substantive provision may be adopted, amended, or repealed except during the six-year code adoption cycle, or as provided in (c) or (d) of this subsection. Until the adoption of the 2036 model codes: (i) Local amendments to the building codes must not be approved by the council; (ii) Published corrections to errors in the codes must be completed within 12 months of the effective implementation date; and (iii) The council may engage in legislatively directed projects, planning, study, and stakeholder engagement activities, provided that no adoption or implementation of new or revised codes shall occur until 10 years after the implementation date of the 2024 codes as described in RCW 19.27.031(3). (b) An interim code adoption cycle as outlined in RCW 19.27.031(4) shall not be performed earlier than 12 months nor later than 18 months from the effective date of the codes adopted pursuant to (a) of this subsection. (c)(i) The council may adopt emergency amendments to the code at any time under the following conditions: (A) The amendment is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare; or (B) The amendment is necessary for consistency with state or federal laws and regulations. (ii) The council may not act on a petition for emergency statewide amendments at the meeting when the petition is introduced. (iii) The council may accept a petition for emergency statewide amendments only when the petition provides a concise statement of the reasons for a finding that an emergency basis exists, and the council approves a finding that such an emergency basis exists by a two- thirds vote of voting members. The approval of emergency amendments requires a majority vote of the voting members. (d) The council may adopt or amend the state building code or code sections at any time pursuant to legislative direction as reflected in legislation signed into law. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the council from exercising its authority under chapter 19.27 or 19.27A codes when: (i) Necessary to address an imminent and present threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or users of a structure; (ii) required to maintain compliance with federal or state laws or regulations; or (iii) mandated by a court order. (3) Incomplete petitions for statewide amendments or petitions that exceed the specific delegation of authority provided by the legislature shall not be considered by the council for action. (4) The council shall approve the referral of a statewide amendment to a standing committee or technical advisory group. (5) The council shall develop a process for council meetings that allows members of the public to understand amendments being proposed for adoption. The process shall include requirements for modifications to proposed rule text to be in writing, specify the reason for the amendment, and be available to the council and the members of the public at least seven days prior to a vote on final amendment adoption. The council shall adopt rules that encourage councilmembers and technical advisory group members to make proposed amendments and text changes available to other members and the public at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which they will be discussed. (6) The council must adopt policies and procedures for the adoption or amendment of the state building co

  amended

• RCW 19.27A.015

  as follows: (1) Except as provided in RCW 19.27A.020(7), the Washington state energy code for residential buildings shall be the maximum and minimum energy code for residential buildings in each city, town, and county and shall be enforced by each city, town, and county no later than July 1, 1991. The Washington state energy code for nonresidential buildings shall be the minimum energy code for nonresidential buildings enforced by each city, town, and county. (2) Beginning on the effective date of the 2024 energy code for residential buildings and nonresidential buildings, the council shall not initiate, adopt, or implement any further editions, revisions, or updates to the energy code for residential buildings or nonresidential buildings, or both, for 10 years. Starting with the adoption of the 2036 edition of the energy codes for residential buildings and nonresidential buildings, substantive updates to the code shall occur no more than every six years. (a) Local amendments to the building codes must not be approved by the council during this time. (b) Published corrections to errors in the codes must be completed within 12 months of the effective implementation date. (3) The prohibition in this subsection applies to all codes within the council's jurisdiction in chapters 19.27 and 19.27A RCW. (4) The council may, during the 10-year pause, engage in legislatively directed projects, planning, study, and stakeholder engagement activities, provided that no adoption or implementation of new or revised codes shall occur until the expiration of the pause period. Until the adoption of the 2036 codes as referenced above: (a) Local amendments to the building codes must not be approved by the council; (b) Published corrections to errors in the codes must be completed within 12 months of the effective implementation date; and (c) The council may engage in legislatively directed projects, planning, study, and stakeholder engagement activities, provided that no adoption or implementation of new or revised codes shall occur until 10 years after the implementation date of the 2024 codes as described in chapter 19.27A RCW. (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the council from exercising its authority under chapter 19.27A RCW, including the adoption or amendment of provisions of the state codes when: (a) Necessary to address an imminent and present threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or users of a structure; (b) required to maintain compliance with federal or state laws or regulations; or (c) mandated by a court order.

  amended

• RCW 19.27A.160

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  amended

Action History

1. January 12, 2026

   First reading, referred to Local Government.

Sponsors

• (Connors) · Primary

Subjects