Chapter 51-50 State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2021 edition of the International Building Code.

3314.1 Fire watch during construction. Where required by the fire code official, a fire watch shall be provided during nonworking hours for new construction that exceeds 40 feet (12,192 mm) in height above the lowest adjacent grade.EXCEPTIONS:1. New construction that is built und…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 22-13-094, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-3401, filed 6/14/22, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-3401, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 22-13-094, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-3404, filed 6/14/22, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-3404, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16; WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-3404, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 22-13-094, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-3410, filed 6/14/22, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-3410, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16; WSR 10-03-097, amended and recodified as § 51-50-3410, fi…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 22-13-094, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-3411, filed 6/14/22, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-3411, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and…

Add the reference standards as follows:Standard reference numberTitleReferenced in code section numberASCE/SEI 7-16Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures with Supplement No.1, Supplement No. 2, and Supplement No. 3.No amendments to the ref…

P101 GeneralP101.1 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to increase the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition materials.P101.2 Scope. This code applies to new building construction, alterations to existing buildings and the demolition of existing buildings having a w…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 23-23-102, § 51-50-480000, filed 11/15/23, effective 3/16/24; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480000, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480000,…

101.4.2 Buildings previously occupied. The legal occupancy of any building existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in this code, the International Fire Code, or as deemed necessary by the code …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480102, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480102, filed 1/19/16, effective …

201.3 Terms defined in other codes. Where terms are not defined in this code and are defined in the other International Codes and the Uniform Plumbing Code, such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in those codes.202 General definitions.ADULT FAMILY HOME. A dwelling, l…

302.2 Additional codes. Alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-480305, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-480305, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]

306.6 Additions. Provisions for new construction shall apply to additions. An addition that affects the accessibility to, or contains an area of, a primary function shall comply with the requirements in Section 306.7.1. Limited-use/limited-application elevators installed in accor…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480307, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-480307, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10.]

401.2 Compliance. The work shall not make the building less complying than it was before the repair was undertaken. Work on nondamaged components that is necessary for the required repair of damaged components shall be considered part of the repair and shall not be subject to req…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480403, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480403, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

405.1 General. Structural repairs shall be in compliance with this section and Section 401.2.405.1.1 Structural concrete repairs. Repair of structural concrete is permitted to comply with ACI 562 Section 1.7, except where Section 405.2.2, 405.2.3, or 405.2.4.1 requires compliance…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480407, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480407, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480407, …

408.1 Materials. Plumbing materials and supplies shall not be used for repairs that are prohibited in the Uniform Plumbing Code.[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-21-021, § 51-50-480408, filed 10/9/20, effective 11/9/20.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480409, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480409, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480410, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480410, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

503.13 Voluntary lateral force-resisting system alterations. Structural alterations that are intended exclusively to improve the lateral force resisting system and are not required by other sections of this code, shall not be required to meet the requirements of Section 1609 or 1…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480505, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480505, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

506.1.1 Change in the character of use. A change of occupancy with no change of occupancy classification shall not be made to any structure that will subject the structure to any special provisions of the applicable International Codes and Uniform Plumbing Code, without approval …

603.1 Scope. Level 2 alterations include the addition or elimination of any door or window, the reconfiguration or extension of any system, or the installation of any additional equipment, and shall apply where the work is below the threshold of a Level 3 alteration.EXCEPTION:The…

604.1 Scope. Level 3 alterations apply where one of the criteria is exceeded:1. The work meets or exceeds the threshold of either substantial improvement or substantial damage; or2. The alteration area exceeds 50 percent of the building area.[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 1…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480607, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-480607, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10.]

702.7 Materials and methods. New work shall comply with the materials and methods requirements in the International Building Code, Washington State Energy Code, International Mechanical Code, and Uniform Plumbing Code, as applicable, that specify material standards, detail of ins…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480704, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480704, filed …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480705, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480705, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480707, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480707, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

708.1 Minimum requirements. Level 1 alterations to existing buildings or structures shall comply with the Washington State Energy Code (chapter 51-11 WAC).[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480708, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480711, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480711, filed …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480804, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480804, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

805.4 Voluntary lateral force-resisting system alterations. Structural alterations that are intended exclusively to improve the lateral force resisting system and are not required by other sections of this code shall not be required to meet the requirements of Section 1609 or Sec…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480807, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480807, filed …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480808, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480808, filed …

809.1 Minimumrequirements. Level 2 alterations to existing buildings or structures shall comply with the Washington State Energy Code (chapter 51-11C WAC).[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480809, filed…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480810, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 21-06-035, § 51-50-480810, filed 2/23/21, effective …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 21-06-035, § 51-50-480811, filed 2/23/21, effective 3/26/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480811, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 20-01-090, § 51-50-480906, filed 12/12/19, effective 7/1/20; WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-480906, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16.]

907.1 Minimum requirements. Level 3 alterations to existing buildings or structures shall comply with the Washington State Energy Code (chapter 51-11C WAC).[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 21-06-035, § 51-50-480907, filed 2/23/21, effective 3/26/21; WSR 20-0…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 21-06-035, § 51-50-480908, filed 2/23/21, effective 3/26/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480908, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.074, and 19.27.540. WSR 23-02-073, 23-12-103, and 23-20-023, § 51-50-480912, filed 1/4/23, 6/7/23, and 9/25/23, effective 3/15/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-480912, filed …

1002.3 Change of occupancy in health care. Where a change of occupancy occurs to a Group I-2 or I-1 facility, the work area with the change of occupancy shall comply with the International Building Code.The International Building Code shall apply to Group I-1, Condition 2, for li…

1009.1 Increased demand. Where the occupancy of an existing building or part of an existing building is changed such that the new occupancy is subject to increased or different plumbing fixture requirements or to increased water supply requirements in accordance with the Uniform …

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 16-03-064, § 51-50-481012, filed 1/19/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and chapters 19.27 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 13-04-067, § 51-50-481012, filed 2/1/13, effective 7/1/13.]

1101.1 Scope. An addition to a building or structure shall comply with the International Codes and Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted for new construction without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with any requirements of those codes or of these provisions, exc…

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.031 and 19.27.074. WSR 10-03-097, § 51-50-481102, filed 1/20/10, effective 7/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.27.074, 19.27.020, and chapters 70.92, 19.27, and 34.05 RCW. WSR 07-01-091, § 51-50-481102, filed 12/19/06, effective 7/1/07.]