9 adopted codes · 41 cities tracked
Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC)
International Building Code (IBC)
Statewide mandatory — commercial/multi-family
International Residential Code (IRC)
Statewide mandatory — 1-2 family dwellings
International Mechanical Code (IMC)
Statewide mandatory
International Fire Code (IFC)
Statewide mandatory
WA State Energy Code
Statewide mandatory — state-written
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
Statewide mandatory
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Statewide mandatory — IAPMO-based
International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)
Statewide — DNR-mapped WUI areas
National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70)
Statewide mandatory — L&I Electrical Section
WA Ventilation Code
Statewide mandatory — state-written
ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessibility
Statewide mandatory — adopted with IBC
International Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Wildland-Urban Interface Code
Uniform Plumbing Code
Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO) with WA amendments
SPECIAL NOTES: Washington is a mandatory statewide code state — all jurisdictions must enforce WA State Building Code as minimum. SBCC adopts codes on 3-year cycle. 2024 ICC adoption delayed to 2027 per Jan 2026 SBCC vote. Cascadia Subduction Zone (M9.0 potential) affects all western WA. Tsunami inundation zones mapped along Pacific coast and parts of Puget Sound. Seattle has additional seismic retrofit requirements for unreinforced masonry buildings. Columbia River Gorge is a Special Wind Region with speeds exceeding 150 mph. WA uses Uniform Plumbing Code (IAPMO) instead of International Plumbing Code (ICC).