Wash. Rev. Code » Title 19 · Chapter 19.27
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.020 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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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 purposes, objectives, and standards:
(1) To require minimum performance standards and requirements for construction and construction materials, consistent with accepted standards of engineering, fire and life safety.
(2) To require standards and requirements in terms of performance and nationally accepted standards.
(3) To permit the use of modern technical methods, devices and improvements.
(4) To eliminate restrictive, obsolete, conflicting, duplicating and unnecessary regulations and requirements which could unnecessarily increase construction costs or retard the use of new materials and methods of installation or provide unwarranted preferential treatment to types or classes of materials or products or methods of construction.
(5) To provide for standards and specifications for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by physically disabled persons.
(6) To consolidate within each authorized enforcement jurisdiction, the administration and enforcement of building codes.
[ 1985 c 360 s 6; 1974 ex.s. c 96 s 2.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1984–2013 · leading case: Taylor v. Stevens Cnty., 759 P.2d 447 (Wash. 1988).
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Taylor v. Stevens Cnty., 759 P.2d 447 (Wash. 1988). · cites it 2× “212 (former RCW 19.27.020). The buyers contend that the clear intent of the statute is to protect them individually.”
State v. San Juan Cnty., 686 P.2d 1073 (Wash. 1984). · cites it 14× “The statute provides: [T]he governing body of each city, town or county is authorized to amend the state building code as it applies within its jurisdiction in all such respects as shall be not less than the minimum performance standards and objectives enumerated in RCW…”
Taylor v. Stevens Cnty., 732 P.2d 517 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 16× “", RCW 19.27.020, encompasses within its ambit subsequent purchasers, like themselves.”
Park Avenue Condo. Owners Ass'n v. Buchan Developments, LLC, 71 P.3d 692 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “[35] See RCW 19.27.020 ("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 .”
Park Avenue Condo. Owners Ass'n v. Buchan Developments, L.L.C., 117 Wash. App. 369 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “See RCW 19.27.020 (“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.”
Pierce v. Spokane Cnty., 730 P.2d 82 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 16× “RCW 19.27.020 sets forth the statutory purpose as follows: "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.”
Moore v. Wayman, 934 P.2d 707 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “The current RCW 19.27.020, as amended in 1985, states that "[t]he 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.”
Pettit v. Dwoskin, 68 P.3d 1088 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “[20] Miller's proposed Instruction 23 read: At the time the Defendants' residence was constructed the Uniform Building Code adopted as an Ordinance of the City of Seattle provided: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge, alter,…”
Pettit v. Dwoskin, 116 Wash. App. 466 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “RCW 19.27.020. Miller’s proposed Instruction 23 read: At the time the Defendants’ residence was constructed the Uniform Building Code adopted as an Ordinance of the City of Seattle provided: It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, enlarge,…”
Crane & Crane, Inc. v. C & D Elec., Inc., 683 P.2d 1103 (Wash. Ct. App. 1984). “The language "for safety to life and property" implies a public interest is involved, but it is not the clear statement of public interest contained in other statutes.”
Dawud Ahmad v. Town Of Springdale (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “015(2) (term "city" includes a "town"); RCW 19.27.020 (purpose of chapter to enforce minimum performance standards and requirements for construction and materials consistent with safety); RCW 19.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.020(1) — 1 case
State v. San Juan Cnty., 686 P.2d 1073 (Wash. 1984). “The statute provides: [T]he governing body of each city, town or county is authorized to amend the state building code as it applies within its jurisdiction in all such respects as shall be not less than the minimum performance standards and objectives enumerated in RCW…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.020(2) — 1 case
State v. San Juan Cnty., 686 P.2d 1073 (Wash. 1984). “The statute provides: [T]he governing body of each city, town or county is authorized to amend the state building code as it applies within its jurisdiction in all such respects as shall be not less than the minimum performance standards and objectives enumerated in RCW…”
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