Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Residential Code, Including Appendices F and G, with State amendments. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.040.010 (adoption), and § 17F.040.020 (appendices). Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Building Code, including Appendices C, E, G, and J, with State amendments. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.040.010 (adoption), and § 17F.040.020 (appendices). Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Existing Building Code. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.070.010 (adoption). 

Note that the above codes are the current effective codes until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes. 

Helpful resources for Spokane, Washington include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Washington

Residential Building Code

Washington adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB, Washington Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Spokane adopted the 2018 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Spokane ? Yes
Citation: Section 17F.040.105
Municipal Code https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=17F.040.105
Comments:

The municipal code includes an amendment to the IRC stating that ice barrier underlayment is required at the eaves.

Table R301.2(1) is modified as follows to identify the design criteria associated with our geographical area:

TABLE R301.2(1)
Ground Snow Load*	Wind Speed (ult)	Seismic Design Category	SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM				Winter Design Temp	Ice Barrier Underlayment Required	Flood Hazards	Air Freezing Index	Mean Annual Temp
			Weathering	Frostline Depth	Termites	Decay
39 lbs/ft2	110 mph	C	Severe	24"	Slight to Moderate	None to Slight	10°F	Yes	2006 1992 FIRM	1232	47.2°F
*Minimum roof snow load: 30 lbs/ft2

Spokane, WA, Muni. Code § 17F.040.105 (Design Criteria).

Comments

Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Residential Code, Including Appendices F, Q, and G, with State amendments. Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 19.27.031, Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.040.010 (adoption), and § 17F.040.020 (appendices). Note that the above codes are the current effective codes until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes. 

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

The Washington State Building Code does NOT adopt IRC Appendix J (which provides guidance on existing buildings) as part of the code. 

Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Existing Building Code. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.070.010 (adoption). Note that the Washington State Building Code adopted and amended the 2015 IEBC, according to Sec. 101.4.7  of the 2018 IBC and Wash. Admin. Code 51-50-007 (IEBC adoption). Wash. Admin. Code 51-50-480101 (IEBC general).  

Note that the above codes are the current effective codes until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes. 

Commercial Building Code

Spokane adopted the 2018 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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Comments

Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Building Code, including Appendices C, E, G, and J, with State amendments. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.040.010 (adoption), and § 17F.040.020 (appendices). 

Note that the above codes are the current effective codes until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes. 

Existing Buildings

Spokane, Washington, adopted the "Current" International Existing Building Code. Spokane, WA Muni. Code § 17F.070.010 (adoption). Note that the Washington State Building Code adopted and amended the 2015 IEBC, according to Sec. 101.4.7  of the 2018 IBC and Wash. Admin. Code 51-50-007 (IEBC adoption). Wash. Admin. Code 51-50-480101 (IEBC general).  

Note that the above codes are the current effective codes until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes. 

Other Building Codes