About SBCC

The State Building Code Council was created to advise the Legislature on building code issues and to develop the building codes used in Washington state. These codes help to ensure buildings and facilities constructed in the state are safe and healthy for building occupants, accessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly, and energy efficient.

Helps to assure the public is safe

The State Building Code (SBC) is the minimum construction requirement for the state of Washington; the current code includes:

  • 2018 International Building Code with statewide amendments
  • ICC/ANSI A117.1-09, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, with statewide amendments (adopted as part of the IBC)
  • 2018 International Existing Building Code with statewide amendments (adopted through the IBC)
  • 2018 International Residential Code with statewide amendments
  • 2018 International Mechanical Code with statewide amendments
  • 2017 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58) For LP Gas
  • 2018 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) for LP Gas installations
  • 2018 International Fuel Gas Code with statewide amendments (adopted as part of the IMC)
  • 2018 International Fire Code with statewide amendments
  • 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with statewide amendments
  • 2018 Washington State Energy Code-Commercial
  • 2018 Washington State Energy Code-Residential
  • 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) -- Please see the Department of Labor and Industries for information on the adoption and amendment of the National Electrical Code.

The adoption of the 2021 Washington State Building Code was completed in December 2022; all new codes will be effective July 1, 2023.  

Provides detailed technical review of the State Building Code

  • State Building Code updated on a three year cycle
  • Rule-making provides a process for amendments to national and state codes
  • Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) include experts in design and construction
  • Code language is developed by technical experts, council members, and staff
  • The code is developed through open meetings and public hearings, including TAG meetings for review of each code;
    • For 2021 code adoption cycle, TAGs were chaired by Council members, as follows:
      • Fire Code - Tony Doan
      • Building Code - Todd Beyreuther
      • Energy Code - Kjell Anderson
      • Plumbing Code - Micah Chappell
      • Mechanical Code - Justin Bourgault
      • Residential Code - Micah Chappell
      • Wildland-Urban Interface Code - Tony Doan
  • Standing Committees made up of Council members are also established for further review and consideration of proposals after the TAGs have made an initial recommendation.
    • For 2021 assignment of Standing Committee members were as follows:
      • Building, Fire, Plumbing Committee is chaired by Micah Chappell. Members include Tony Doan, Todd Beyreuther, Daimon Doyle, Craig Holt, and Roger Heeringa. 
      • Mechanical, Ventilation, Energy Committee is chaired by Kjell Anderson. Members include Justin Bourgault, Tony Doan, Jay Arnold, Todd Beyreuther, Peter Rieke, and Katy Sheehan.
  • During each legislative session, the Council must be aware of any pending legislation that may impact the building codes; a Council Legislative Committee is established to meet and consider impacts of proposed legislation and to develop a Council position on pending legislation for consideration by the Council. 
    • Legislative Committee is chaired by Todd Beyreuther. Members include Tony Doan, Daimon Doyle, Kjell Anderson, Jay Arnold, Micah Chappell, Matthew Hepner, and Representative Alex Ramel. 
  • Each proposal that is considered for adoption must include information on potential economic impacts; the Council has established an Economic Workgroup made up of the TAG chairs to review economic information provided by proponents.  (See the list of TAG chairs, above.)