THE 2021 CODE UPDATES ARE EFFECTIVE MARCH 15, 2024
On September 15, 2023, and for the second time, the State Building Code Council voted to delay the effective date of the 2021 Washington State Construction Codes. The new effective date will be March 15, 2024 (previous effective dates were July 1, 2023, and October 29, 2023). This additional time was needed for Council to enter rulemaking procedures to modify certain sections of the commercial and residential energy codes to address legal uncertainties stemming from the decision recently issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES:
Significant code changes for the 2021 code adoption cycle can be found here.
NEW CODES IN EFFECT MARCH 15, 2024:
2021 International Building Code - WAC 51-50
2021 International Mechanical Code - WAC 51-52
2021 International Fire Code - WAC 51-54A
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code WAC 51 –56 and WAC 51-57
2021 International Fuel Gas Code - WAC 51-52
2020 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58)
2021 International Property Maintenance Code
2021 International Residential Code - WAC 51-51
2021 Washington State Energy Code - WAC 51-11C and WAC 51-11R
2021 International Existing Building Code - WAC 51-50
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code – WAC 51-50-3109
** Portions of the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code – WAC 51-55
2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Building and Facilities – WAC 51-50-005
**In preparation of the emergency rule being enacted by the State Building Code Council, the Newcastle Municipal Code only adopted portions of the International Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code as mandated in RCW 19.27.560(1) and adoption is subject to completion of statewide wildfire hazard and base-level wildfire risk maps. This change was due to a bi-partisan bill, ESB 6120, that requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create new maps. The consensus is that this would take at least 1-1/2 years to complete and upon completion, local jurisdictions will have the ability to modify the maps. This means that in the City of Newcastle, the provisions of the WUI Code will not technically be in effect until mapping is complete. For additional information, check for updates on the WABO website.
NOTABLE LOCAL AMENDMENTS:
The Construction Administrative Code regulates the above noted codes by adopting a uniform administrative code replacing Chapter 1 in each model code and can be found in NMC 15.05.
The City of Newcastle adopts City of Bellevue amendments to the IBC and IFC. These documents will be published with the final editions are available.
Snow loads are locally amended. Per NMC 15.10.020, IBC Section 1608.1 is amended. A snow load of not less than 25 psf is required; however, higher snow loads will apply at higher elevations, typically starting at an elevation of 500 feet. The City clarifies these provisions and applies the formula used in King County for calculating snow loads.
IRC R301.2 Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria has been completed and is available here.
PERMITTING:
Permit Applications accepted March 15, 2024, or later will be regulated under the 2021 Construction Codes.
Deferred submittals that apply to a building permit regulated under the 2018 codes may be designed under the applicable 2018 codes.
Plan review fees on any permit application accepted prior to March 15, 2024, intended to apply the 2018 codes must be paid within 3 days of invoicing.
TRAINING:
The following resources are available for information on training:
- MyBuildingPermit.com
- WABO
- Residential Energy Code
- Commercial Energy Code
- IAPMO/UPC Plumbing Code
STATE AMENDMENTS:
The Washington State Amendments to the 2021 Construction Codes can be found here.
View the State Building Code Council's site.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Free online access to base model codes is available online through ICC. Please note that the state-amended versions are available in online and printed editions of the IBC, IRC, IFC, WSEC, IMC, and IEBC.
The City of Bellevue provides access to their codes online. The City of Newcastle adopts most of the local amendments to the IBC and IFC. The documents available online include local and state amendments.