Title 19 — Title 19 BUSINESS REGULATIONS—MISCELLANEOUS
111 chapters · 1,481 sections in this title.
RCW 19.27.010 Short title.
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This chapter shall be known as the State Building Code Act.[ 1974 ex.s. c 96 s 1.]
RCW 19.27.015 Definitions.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5552-S.SL) ***As used in this chapter:(1) "Agricultural structure" means a structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products. This structure may not be a place of human habitati…
RCW 19.27.020 Purposes—Objectives—Standards.
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The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the occupants or users of buildings and structures and the general public by the provision of building codes throughout the state. Accordingly, this chapter is designed to effectuate the following purpose…
RCW 19.27.031 State building code—Adoption—Conflicts—Opinions.
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(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following model codes which are hereby adopted by reference:(a)(i) The International Building Code, published by the Internatio…
RCW 19.27.032 Amendment—Timeline—Requirements—Public access.
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(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) Substantive updates to the state building code shall occur only once during the three-year state building code …
RCW 19.27.033 Amendment—Technical advisory groups.
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(1) The state building code council may appoint technical advisory groups to review petitions for statewide amendments as authorized in this chapter and chapter 19.27A RCW.(a) A technical advisory group may include one voting councilmember.(b) A technical advisory group must cons…
RCW 19.27.034 Amendment—Approval criteria.
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Following the close of the public comment period and any public hearing required by chapter 34.05 RCW, the state building code council shall approve or disapprove the final adoption or amendment of codes of statewide application.(1) Proposals must meet one or more of the criteria…
RCW 19.27.035 Process for review.
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The building code council shall:(1)(a) By July 1, 2019, adopt a revised process for the review of proposed statewide amendments to the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031; and(b) Adopt a process for the review of proposed or enacted local amendments to the codes enumerated in RCW 1…
RCW 19.27.040 Cities and counties authorized to amend state building code—Limitations.
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The governing body of each county or city is authorized to amend the state building code as it applies within the jurisdiction of the county or city. The minimum performance standards of the codes and the objectives enumerated in RCW 19.27.020 shall not be diminished by any count…
RCW 19.27.042 Cities and counties—Emergency exemptions for housing for indigent persons—Rule making for temporary emergency shelter standards.
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(1) Effective January 1, 1992, the legislative authorities of cities and counties may adopt an ordinance or resolution to exempt from state building code requirements buildings whose character of use or occupancy has been changed in order to provide housing for indigent persons. …
RCW 19.27.050 Enforcement.
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The state building code required by this chapter shall be enforced by the counties and cities. Any county or city not having a building department shall contract with another county, city, or inspection agency approved by the county or city for enforcement of the state building c…
RCW 19.27.060 Local building regulations superseded—Exceptions.
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(1) The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minim…
RCW 19.27.065 Exemption—Temporary growing structures used for production of horticultural plants.
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The provisions of this chapter do not apply to temporary growing structures used solely for the production of horticultural plants including ornamental plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. A temporary growing structure is not considered a building or structure for purposes of…
RCW 19.27.067 Temporary worker housing—Exemption—Standards.
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(1) Temporary worker housing shall be constructed, altered, or repaired as provided in chapter 70.114A RCW and chapter 37, Laws of 1998. The construction, alteration, or repair of temporary worker housing is not subject to the codes adopted under RCW 19.27.031, except as provided…
RCW 19.27.070 State building code council—Established—Membership—Travel expenses.
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There is hereby established in the department of enterprise services a state building code council, to be appointed by the governor.(1) The state building code council shall consist of 15 members:(a) Two members must be county elected legislative body members or elected executive…
RCW 19.27.074 State building code council—Duties—Public meetings—Timing of code changes.
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(1) The state building code council shall:(a) Adopt and maintain the codes to which reference is made in RCW 19.27.031 in a status which is consistent with the state's interest as set forth in RCW 19.27.020. In maintaining these codes, the council shall regularly review updated v…
RCW 19.27.076 State building code council—Open public access information technologies.
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The building code council, in consultation with Washington technology solutions, shall assess the costs and benefits of the potential acquisition and implementation of open public access information technologies to enhance the council's code adoption process and report back to th…
RCW 19.27.077 State building code council—Mobile on-demand gasoline operations—Adoption of rules—Fees.
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(1) The Washington state building code council shall adopt and amend rules, as necessary, for the purpose of clarifying standards and administrative provisions for mobile on-demand gasoline operations, as that term is defined in the 2018 international fire code. The purpose of th…
RCW 19.27.080 Chapters of RCW not affected.
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Nothing in this chapter affects the provisions of chapters 19.27A, 19.28, 43.22, 70.77, 70.79, 70.87, 43.44, 18.20, 18.46, 18.51, 28A.305, 70.41, 70.62, 70.75, 70.108, 71.12, 74.15, 70A.15, 76.04, 70A.355 RCW, or RCW 28A.195.010, or grants rights to duplicate the authorities prov…
RCW 19.27.085 Building code council account—Building permit fee.
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(1) There is hereby created the building code council account in the state treasury. Moneys deposited into the account shall be used by the building code council, after appropriation, to perform the purposes of the council.(2) All moneys collected under subsection (3) of this sec…
RCW 19.27.087 Building permit and plan review fees—Agricultural structures.
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Permitting and plan review fees under this chapter for agricultural structures may only cover the costs to counties, cities, towns, and other municipal corporations of processing applications, inspecting and reviewing plans, preparing detailed statements required by chapter 43.21…
RCW 19.27.090 Local jurisdictions reserved.
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Local land use and zoning requirements, building setbacks, side and rear-yard requirements, site development, property line requirements, requirements adopted by counties or cities pursuant to chapter 58.17 RCW, snow load requirements, wind load requirements, and local fire zones…
RCW 19.27.095 Building permit application—Consideration—Requirements.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6309-S.SL) ***(1) A valid and fully complete building permit application for a structure, that is permitted under the zoning or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date of the application shall be considered under the building permit ord…
RCW 19.27.097 Building permit application—Evidence of adequate water supply—Authority of a county or city to impose additional requirements—Applicability—Exemption—Groundwater withdrawal authorized under RCW 90.44.050.
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(1)(a) Each applicant for a building permit of a building necessitating potable water shall provide evidence of an adequate water supply for the intended use of the building. Evidence may be in the form of a water right permit from the department of ecology, a letter from an appr…
RCW 19.27.100 Cities, towns, counties may impose fees different from state building code.
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Except for permitting fees for agricultural structures under RCW 19.27.087, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a city, town, or county of the state from imposing fees different from those set forth in the state building code.[ 2009 c 362 s 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 8 s 1.]Notes:Fin…
RCW 19.27.110 International fire code—Administration and enforcement by counties, other political subdivisions and municipal corporations—Fees.
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Each county government shall administer and enforce the International Fire Code in the unincorporated areas of the county: PROVIDED, That any political subdivision or municipal corporation providing fire protection pursuant to RCW 14.08.120 shall, at its sole option, be responsib…
RCW 19.27.111 RCW 19.27.080 not affected.
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Nothing in RCW 19.27.110 shall affect the provisions of RCW 19.27.080.[1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 37 s 2.]
RCW 19.27.113 Automatic fire-extinguishing systems for certain school buildings.
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The building code council shall adopt rules by December 1, 1991, requiring that all buildings classed as E-1 occupancies, as defined in the state building code, except portable school classrooms, constructed after July 28, 1991, be provided with an automatic fire-extinguishing sy…
RCW 19.27.115 Technical advisory group—International building code.
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(1) The state building code council shall convene a technical advisory group for the purpose of recommending modifications and limitations to the international building code that would allow for a single exit stairway to serve multifamily residential structures up to six stories …
RCW 19.27.120 Buildings or structures having special historical or architectural significance—Exception.
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(1) Repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, strengthening, or continued use of a building or structure may be made without conformance to all of the requirements of the codes adopted under RCW 19.27.031, when authorized by …
RCW 19.27.140 Copy of permit to county assessor.
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A copy of any permit obtained under the state building code for construction or alteration work of a total cost or fair market value in excess of five hundred dollars, shall be transmitted by the issuing authority to the county assessor of the county where the property on which t…
RCW 19.27.150 Report to department of enterprise services.
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Every month a copy of the United States department of commerce, bureau of the census' "report of building or zoning permits issued and local public construction" or equivalent report shall be transmitted by the governing bodies of counties and cities to the department of enterpri…
RCW 19.27.160 Counties with populations of from five thousand to less than ten thousand—Ordinance reenactment.
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Any county with a population of from five thousand to less than ten thousand that had in effect on July 1, 1985, an ordinance or resolution authorizing and regulating the construction of owner-built residences may reenact such an ordinance or resolution if the ordinance or resolu…
RCW 19.27.175 Recycled materials—Study code and adopt changes.
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The state building code council, in consultation with the department of ecology and local governments, shall conduct a study of the state building code, and adopt changes as necessary to encourage greater use of recycled building materials from construction and building demolitio…
RCW 19.27.180 Residential buildings moved into a city or county—Applicability of building codes and electrical installation requirements.
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(1) Residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county or city are not required to comply with all of the requirements of the codes enumerated in chapters 19.27 and 19.27A RCW, as amended and maintained by the state building code council and chapter 19.28 RCW, if t…
RCW 19.27.190 Indoor air quality—Interim and final requirements for maintenance.
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(1)(a) Not later than January 1, 1991, the state building code council, in consultation with the department of commerce, shall establish interim requirements for the maintenance of indoor air quality in newly constructed residential buildings. In establishing the interim requirem…
RCW 19.27.195 Renewable energy systems—Study code and adopt changes.
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The state building code council, in consultation with the department of commerce and local governments, shall conduct a study of the state building code and adopt changes necessary to encourage greater use of renewable energy systems as defined in RCW 82.16.110.[ 2019 c 235 s 6.]
RCW 19.27.490 Fish habitat enhancement project.
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A fish habitat enhancement project meeting the criteria of RCW 77.55.181 is not subject to grading permits, inspections, or fees and shall be reviewed according to the provisions of RCW 77.55.181.[ 2014 c 120 s 8; 2003 c 39 s 11; 1998 c 249 s 14.]Notes:Findings—Purpose—Report—Eff…
RCW 19.27.500 Nightclubs—Automatic sprinkler system—Building code council shall adopt rules.
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(1) The building code council shall adopt rules requiring that all nightclubs be provided with an automatic sprinkler system. Rules adopted by the council shall consider applicable nationally recognized fire and building code standards and local conditions and require that the au…
RCW 19.27.510 "Nightclub" defined.
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As used in this chapter:"Nightclub" means an A-2 occupancy use under the 2006 international building code in which the aggregate area of concentrated use of unfixed chairs and standing space that is specifically designated and primarily used for dancing or viewing performers exce…
RCW 19.27.520 Building constructed, used, or converted to nightclub—In accordance with chapter.
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No building shall be constructed for, used for, or converted to, occupancy as a nightclub except in accordance with this chapter.[ 2005 c 148 s 3.]
RCW 19.27.530 Carbon monoxide alarms—Requirements—Exemptions—Adoption of rules.
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(1) By July 1, 2010, the building code council shall adopt rules requiring that all buildings classified as residential occupancies, as defined in the state building code in chapter 51-54 WAC, but excluding owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before July 26, …
RCW 19.27.540 Electric vehicle infrastructure requirements—Rules.
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(1) The building code council shall adopt rules for electric vehicle infrastructure requirements. Rules adopted by the state building code council must consider applicable national and international standards and be consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.28.281.(2)(a) Except …
RCW 19.27.550 Accessible parking space access aisles.
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(1) In addition to the requirements under RCW 46.61.581, each accessible parking space reserved for a person with a physical disability and designated as "van accessible" under the Americans with disabilities act must have a ninety-six inch or greater adjacent access aisle. The a…
RCW 19.27.560 International Wildland Urban Interface Code—Local wildfire hazard and base-level wildfire risk maps.
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(1) In addition to the provisions of RCW 19.27.031, the state building code shall, upon the completion of a statewide wildfire hazard map and a base-level wildfire risk map for each county of the state, per RCW 43.30.580, consist of chapter 1 and the following technical provision…
RCW 19.27.570 Mass timber products—Building construction.
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(1) As used in this section, "mass timber products" means a type of building component or system that uses large panelized wood construction, including:(a) Cross-laminated timber;(b) Nail laminated timber;(c) Glue laminated timber;(d) Laminated strand timber;(e) Dowel laminated t…
RCW 19.27.580 Use of substitutes—Adoption of rules.
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(1) The building code council shall adopt rules, including by amending existing rules as necessary, that permit the use of substitutes approved under RCW 70A.60.060 and that do not require the use of substitutes that are restricted under RCW 70A.60.060. The building code council …
RCW 19.27.590 Drinking fountain/bottle filling station.
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(1) In any construction subject to the requirements of this chapter in which a drinking fountain is required under the international building code as amended and adopted by the building code council, the rules adopted by the building code council must also require the provision o…
RCW 19.27.595 Accessible parking space requirements—Rules.
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The state building code council shall research and, if necessary, adopt by rule updated accessible parking space requirements in the state building code promulgated under this chapter to align with current research on disability rates among drivers.[ 2025 c 204 s 5.]Notes:Finding…
RCW 19.27.600 Child care centers—Occupancy load.
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When a child care center is operated in a dedicated space within an existing building that has more than one use, the building official must calculate the occupancy load of the child care center based only on the areas in the building where the child care services are provided. T…