Notice: Updates to state building codes

||| FROM AMY TAYLOR for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR |||

The adopted Building Codes for the State of Washington changed effective March 15, 2024. The 2021 edition of the Codes will replace the 2018 edition.

State law requires cities and counties throughout Washington to adopt and enforce the Washington State Building Codes and the State’s version of the current International Building Codes.

All building permit application plans and supporting documentation must comply with the adopted 2021 Washington State Building Code.

In the Town of Friday Harbor, the codes went into effect March 15, 2024. The Town updated references to the 2021 editions in municipal code per Ordinance No. 1792.

Codes affected include:

Friday Harbor Municipal Code Chapter 15.04

• International Building Code, 2021 Edition, including Appendices, ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017, the 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa code, and the 2021 Washington State Amendments as amended and as published in Chapter 51-50 WAC.
• International Residential Code, 2021 Edition, including Appendices and the Washington State Amendments as amended and as published in Chapter 51-51 WAC.
• Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, including Appendices A, B and I, and the Washington State Amendments as amended and as published in Chapter 51-56 WAC.
• International Mechanical Code, 2021 Edition, including the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 NFPA 58 and 2017 NFPA 54, and the Washington State Amendments as amended and published in Chapter 51-52 WAC.
• Washington State Energy Code, 2021, Commercial WAC 51-11C and Residential WAC 51-11R, including Appendices and the Washington State Amendments as amended and as published in Chapter 51-11C & 51-11R WAC.
• International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, including Appendices A, C, D, I and K and the Washington State Amendments as amended and as published in Chapter 51-54A WAC. Fire flow shall be as required in accordance with the adopted Friday Harbor Water System Plan as amended from time to time. In areas where fire flow meeting this requirement is not available it shall be acceptable to provide water supplies for fire-fighting purposes through construction of a stored water fire protection system complying with all the requirements of town of Friday Harbor Standard Drawing W-6 adopted and incorporated here by reference.

What This Means for Our Customers

All building permit applications and supporting documentation submitted on or after March 15, 2024, must comply with the 2021 codes. Completed submittals received prior to March 15, 2024 will be vested in the 2018 version of the codes. Community Development will provide updated information if any further delays are announced by the State Building Code Council.

Community Development is prepared to support developers, future homeowners, and other interested stakeholders through this code transition. If you have any questions about the 2021 Building Code Updates, please contact us at (360) 378-2810 or ryane@fridayharbor.org.

To learn more and view the updated codes, please visit the Washington State Building Code Council website.