Code Review and Adoption Process Summary
Every three years new model codes are published. The Council, with the assistance of their Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), reviews and adopts the new editions. In addition, the TAGs also review any changes proposed to these new editions, or to the pre-existing state amendments.
For review, the 2021 codes are broken into two groups. Group 1 includes the International Building Code (Nonstructural Provisions), International Fire Code, and the Washington State Energy Code-Commercial. Group 2 includes the International Existing Building Code, International Building Code (Structural Provisions), International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, NFPA 58, NFPA 54, International Wildland Urban Interface Code, and the Washington State Energy Code-Residential. Group 1 codes are evaluated in the first year of review, Group 2 codes in the second year, and the codes are adopted effective in the following year.
Any proposal to change the state building code must be received by the date set by the Council.
Group 1 codes proposals for the 2021 codes were received between April 1, 2021, and June 1, 2021.
Group 2 code proposals for the 2021 codes were received between February 18, 2022, and April 8, 2022. Comments on Group 2 Proposed Rule Making (CR-102) are due by 5 p.m. on October 14, 2022.
See WAC 51-04-020 for more specific information on submission dates and the adoption period. All proposed statewide amendments need to be submitted in writing, on the provided forms here.
Click here for the 2021 Code Review and Adoption Schedule
Click here for a summary of the Code Review and Adoption Process Procedure
Group 1 Code Proposals
- 2021 International Building Code (updated 9/27/21)
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Commercial (updated 9/07/21)
Group 1 Code Preliminary Reports
- 2021 International Building Code TAG Reports on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 International Fire Code Existing Amendments and Significant Changes and International Wildland Urban Interface Code
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Commercial
Group 1 Proposed Rule Making (CR-102)
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Commercial
Group 1 Public Testimony Links
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Commercial
Group 2 Code Proposals
- 2021 International Building Code Structural Provisions
- 2021 International Building Code Structural Provisions - TAG Recommendations
- 2021 International Building Code Structural Provisions - BFP Action
- 2021 International Building Code Structural Provisions - Council Action
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code - TAG Recommendations
- 2021 International Existing Building Code Change Proposals - BFP Action
- 2021 International Existing Building Code - Council Action
- 2021 International Residential Code
- 2021 IRC Code Change Proposals - TAG Recommendations
- 2021 IRC Code Change Proposals - BFP Action
- 2021 IRC Code Change Proposals - Council Action
- 2021 International Wildland Urban Interface Code
- 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code - TAG Recommendations
- 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code - BFP Action
- 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code - Council Action
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Change Proposals
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Change Proposals - TAG Recommendations
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code Change Proposals - BFP Action
Group 2 Code Preliminary Reports
- 2021 International Building Code (Structural) TAG Reports on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 International Existing Building Code TAG Reports on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 International Residential Code TAG Report on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 International Wildland Urban Interface Code TAG Report on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, and International Residential Code Mechanical Provisions TAG Report on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code TAG Report on Existing Amendments and Significant Changes
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Residential
Group 2 Public Testimony Links
- 2021 International Building Code Structural Provisions and International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Residential Code
- 2021 International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, and International Residential Code Mechanical Provisions
- 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
- 2021 Washington State Energy Code - Residential