Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, including Appendices F, Q, and T. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption). Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 Seattle building code. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption). Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code, including Appendix A. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption). 

Note that the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection has links to a readable version of the current Seattle Codes and that the above edition is the current effective code until March 15, 2024, when the 2021 edition will become effective. See PLRB, Washington Building Codes.

 

Helpful resources for Seattle, 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.

Seattle 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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2021 Washington State Residential Code (2021 IRC)(Seattle, WA 3.118.030 - Approval.)

...ordinances, including, but not limited to, the State Environmental Policy Act (RCW Chapter 43.21C); the Shoreline Management Act of 1981 (RCW Chapter 90.58); and the State Building Code Act (RCW Chapter 19.27). B. Industrial revenue bonds to be issued for an...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Seattle ? No
Comments:

No amendment to the IRC Table 301.2 was located in the municipal code. However, a climate design criteria is published on the city website. Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections. "Chapter 3 of the Seattle Residential Code." Seattle.gov. October 30, 2023. https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDCI/Codes/SeattleResidentialCode/2018SRCChapter3.pdf#page=2.

Comments

Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, including Appendices F, Q, and T. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption).

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.

No adoption of Appendix J was found in the municipal code.

Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code, including Appendix A. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption). 

Commercial Building Code

Seattle 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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2021 Washington State Building Code (2021 IBC)(Seattle, WA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

 Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 Seattle building code. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption).

Existing Buildings

Seattle, Washington, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code, including Appendix A. See Seattle, WA, Adoption of New Construction Codes, 126278 Ordinance No. 2021-02 (2021), and Seattle, WA, Muni. Code §​ 22.101.010 (adoption). 

 

Other Building Codes