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

Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.031 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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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 International Code Council, Inc.;
(ii) The International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc.;
(b) The International Mechanical Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., except that the standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code);
(c) The International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., including those standards of the National Fire Protection Association specifically referenced in the International Fire Code: PROVIDED, That, notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying handheld candles;
(d) Only those portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, published by the International Code Council Inc., as specifically referenced in RCW 19.27.560(1), or the model International Wildland Urban Interface Code specifically referenced in RCW 19.27.560(2);
(e) The Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials: PROVIDED, That any provisions of such code affecting sewers or fuel gas piping are not adopted;
(f) The rules adopted by the council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160; and
(g) The state's climate zones for building purposes are designated in *RCW 19.27A.020(3) and may not be changed through the adoption of a model code or rule.
(2) In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsection (1) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following.
(3)(a) The model codes enumerated in this section shall be adopted or amended by the council as provided in RCW 19.27.074 and 19.27.032 through 19.27.034 in a three-year state building code adoption cycle. The state building code adoption cycle follows the adoption cycle of the model codes. Substantive changes to the state building code may only be adopted within the three-year cycle except as provided in RCW 19.27.032.
(b) The council shall review the most recent editions of each of the model codes enumerated in subsection (1) of this section and take action on adoption no later than 30 months after the date of publication of each such code. The "date of publication" is the date of publication printed in each model code. If only a month and year are shown, the date of publication for such code shall be the last day of the month shown.
(4) The council may initiate and implement an interim code adoption cycle for all Washington state building codes if a majority of its voting membership determines one is needed to correct errors and omissions, or eliminate obsolete, conflicting, redundant, or unnecessary regulations as provided in RCW 19.27.032 through 19.27.034.
(5) Petitions for emergency statewide amendments to the building code may be submitted, considered, and adopted at any time in accordance with RCW 34.05.350 and 19.27.032 through 19.27.034.
(6) Off-cycle amendments to any of the Washington state building codes may be initiated and implemented at any time if directed by the legislature.
(7) The council shall solicit input from first responders to ensure that firefighter safety issues are addressed during the code adoption process.
(8) The council may issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local official charged with the duty to enforce the enumerated codes.
[ 2024 c 170 s 1; 2024 c 133 s 1; 2018 c 189 s 1; 2015 c 11 s 2; 2003 c 291 s 2; 1995 c 343 s 1. Prior: 1989 c 348 s 9; 1989 c 266 s 1; 1985 c 360 s 5.]

Notes:

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 19.27A.020 was amended by 2025 c 1 s 6, changing subsection (3) to subsection (4).
(2) This section was amended by 2024 c 133 s 1 and by 2024 c 170 s 1, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Effective date—2024 c 133: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 15, 2024]." [ 2024 c 133 s 5.]
Finding—Intent—2015 c 11: "The legislature finds that the state building code council adopted by rule changes to the climate zones used in the building codes due to modifications in the 2012 international energy conservation code (IECC). The legislature intends to update the statutes to be more reflective of the national standards." [ 2015 c 11 s 1.]
Intent—Finding—2003 c 291: "(1) The intent of the adoption of the International Building Code by the legislature is to remain consistent with state laws regulating construction, including electrical, plumbing, and energy codes established in chapters 19.27, 19.27A, and 19.28 RCW. The International Building Code references the International Residential Code for provisions related to the construction of single and multiple-family dwellings. No portion of the International Residential Code shall supersede or take precedent over provisions in chapter 19.28 RCW, regulating the electrical code; nor provisions in RCW 19.27.031(4), regulating the plumbing code; nor provisions in chapter 19.27A RCW, regulating the energy code.
(2) It is in the state's interest and consistent with the state building code act to have in effect provisions regulating the construction of single and multiple-family residences. It is the legislative intent that the state building code council adopt the International Residential Code through rule making granted in RCW 19.27.074, consistent with state law regulating construction for electrical, plumbing, and energy codes, and other state and federal laws regulating single and multiple-family construction.
(3) In accordance with RCW 19.27.020, the state building code council shall promote fire and life safety in buildings consistent with accepted standards. In adopting the codes for the state of Washington, the state building code council shall consider provisions related to firefighter safety published by nationally recognized organizations. The state building code council shall review all nationally recognized codes as set forth in RCW 19.27.074.
(4) The legislature finds that building codes are an integral component of affordable housing. In accordance with this finding, the state building code council shall consider and review building code provisions related to improving affordable housing." [ 2003 c 291 s 1.]
Severability—1989 c 348: See note following RCW 90.54.020.
Rights not impaired—1989 c 348: See RCW 90.54.920.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1987–2024 · 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 4× “See RCW 19.27.031 and .060(1). In March 1980, Stevens County enacted ordinance 01-1980 adopting, with amendments, the 1979 edition of the Uniform Building Code.”
City of Seattle v. McCready, 868 P.2d 134 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 2× “Seattle does not argue otherwise; instead, Seattle contends the warrants were authorized by RCW 19.27.031, which incorporates several uniform housing codes, including the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the Uniform Fire Code.”
Cobb v. Snohomish Cnty., 829 P.2d 169 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 2× “[7] For example, the Uniform Building, Mechanical and Fire Codes, together with applicable code standards, which must be adopted by every municipality in Washington, RCW 19.27.031, provide independent authority to require adequate sprinkler, fire alarm and water systems.”
Bosteder v. City of Renton, 117 P.3d 316 (Wash. 2005). “2d 134 (footnote omitted) (further holding that the incorporation of several uniform housing codes in RCW 19.27.031 does not manifest legislative intent to give courts authority "to issue warrants in support of enforcement activities").”
Durland v. San Juan Cnty., 298 P.3d 757 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). “See RCW 19.27.031 (“Except as otherwise provided in this chapter,” International Building Code and IRC “shall be in effect in all counties”); SJCC 18.”
Babcock v. Mason Cnty. Fire Dist. No. 6, 101 Wash. App. 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “RCW 19.27.031(3); WAC 51-44-003. See Rood Utils.”
Ahmad v. Town of Springdale, 314 P.3d 729 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013). “RCW 19.27.031. Muslim America owned real property at North 610 Main Street in Spring-dale, where Mr.”
Babcock v. Mason Cnty. Fire Dist. No. 6, 5 P.3d 750 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 3× “Furthermore, Silver was short fire fighters and the arriving tenders were stationed on the main roadway, approximately 500 yards from the Babcock's residence, with one person aboard each, who, according to the District's procedures, is required to remain with the unit.”
Taylor v. Stevens Cnty., 732 P.2d 517 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 2× “The traditional rule is that municipal ordinances impose a duty upon municipal officials which is owed to the public as a whole and not to any particular individual.”
Seven Hills, LLC v. Chelan Cnty. (Wash. 2021). · cites it 6× “27 RCW, as adopted by the CCC through RCW 19.27.031, greenhouses were not buildings and did not require building permits.”
Maureen Hay, V Highmark Homes, Llc (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “Former RCW 19.27.031. To ensure compliance, RCW 19.”
Michael Durland, App/cross Resp v. Wes Heinmiller & Alan Stameisen, Cross Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Heinmiller argues that RCW 19.27.031 imposes a mandatory duty on the County to apply provisions of the IRC in considering whether to issue a building permit.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.031(1) — 2 cases
Taylor v. Stevens Cnty., 759 P.2d 447 (Wash. 1988). “See RCW 19.27.031 and .060(1). In March 1980, Stevens County enacted ordinance 01-1980 adopting, with amendments, the 1979 edition of the Uniform Building Code.”
Seven Hills, LLC v. Chelan Cnty. (Wash. 2021). “27 RCW, as adopted by the CCC through RCW 19.27.031, greenhouses were not buildings and did not require building permits.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.031(1)(a) — 1 case
Maureen Hay, V Highmark Homes, Llc (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “Former RCW 19.27.031. To ensure compliance, RCW 19.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 19.27.031(3) — 3 cases
Babcock v. Mason Cnty. Fire Dist. No. 6, 101 Wash. App. 677 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “RCW 19.27.031(3); WAC 51-44-003. See Rood Utils.”
Babcock v. Mason Cnty. Fire Dist. No. 6, 5 P.3d 750 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Furthermore, Silver was short fire fighters and the arriving tenders were stationed on the main roadway, approximately 500 yards from the Babcock's residence, with one person aboard each, who, according to the District's procedures, is required to remain with the unit.”
Marvin Entel v. Asotin Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
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