Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 9 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan: Washington State Plan: Department of Labor & Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2021 International Fire Code with Washington amendments (ch. 51-54A WAC), part of the State Building Code; effective Mar 15, 2024Applies statewide to new and existing buildings under RCW 19.27, including WA-amended Chapter 11 existing-building rules. Took effect with the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC and UPC; last amended by WSR 23-20-027. SourceChecked on the source | Cities and counties enforce through local fire code officials (RCW 19.27.050); State Fire Marshal's Office (WSP) inspects state-licensed health, residential-care and child-care facilities and does plan review/inspection only where locals cannot; State Building Code Council adopts | New edition May 3, 20272024 IFC with WA amendments: final draft (V2) was on the Oct 30, 2026 Council agenda; no Oct 16 or Oct 30 outcome posted (read Oct 31, 2026); IFC CR-103 still 'date tbd'; SBCC states May 3, 2027 as the effective date; next meetings Nov 20 and Dec 18, 2026 |
| Building | 2021 International Building Code incl. Appendix E with Washington amendments (ch. 51-50 WAC); effective Mar 15, 2024Mandatory statewide State Building Code (RCW 19.27); the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC and UPC took effect together. The 2024 cycle adds IEBC and IFGC tracks; the WUI code is reserved pending statewide wildfire mapping. SourceChecked on the source | Counties and cities enforce or contract for enforcement (RCW 19.27.050); State Building Code Council adopts and amends | New edition May 3, 2027Oct 30, 2026: Council voted an emergency wildfire rebuilding rule (energy code flexibility, WSEC-R R101.2), filed Nov 4, 2026 and stated effective immediately (SBCC home page, read Nov 9, 2026). 2024 IBC/IEBC: no adoption outcome posted; SBCC states May 3, 2027 as the effective date; energy codes final adoption targeted Nov 20, 2026 |
| Elevators | Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also lists A18.1 and A17.3-2015 (A17.3 enforcement reported suspended by L&I policy since Feb 2025, not re-read)WAC 296-96-00650 table lists ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19, A18.1-2020 and A17.2-2020 from Oct 2, 2023, and A17.3-2015 from Oct 1, 2018 (last amended WSR 23-17-141). Annual inspection, firefighter-service tests and escalator cleaning were reported earlier and not re-read. SourceChecked on the source | L&I Elevator Program; municipalities with elevator codes before Jun 13, 1963 may keep jurisdiction (RCW 70.87.200); Seattle (SDCI) runs its own annual conveyance inspections and certificates | In forceWAC 296-96-00650 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (A17.1-2019 current since Oct 2, 2023; WSR 23-17-141); L&I A17.3 suspension and the reported Jul 1, 2026 fee change still not re-read |
| Boilers | Ch. 70.79 RCW + ch. 296-104 WAC; inspection frequencies in WAC 296-104-100 as amended by WSR 26-18-075 (filed Sep 1, 2026, effective Oct 2, 2026)WAC 296-104-100: power boilers external and internal annually (owner-user programs may extend internals to seven years or half remaining life); steam heating boilers biennially; hot water heating boilers external biennially, internal every fourth year; water heaters and hot water supply boilers external biennially; unfired pressure vessels biennially, internal only if subject to corrosion. SourceChecked on the source | L&I Boiler and Pressure Vessel program issues certificates of inspection; inspections by L&I inspectors or commissioned insurance-company/operating-company special inspectors (RCW 70.79.130) | Rulemaking pendingWSR 26-18-075 in force Oct 2, 2026 (history note re-read Oct 19, 2026); new operation section WAC 296-104-450 takes effect Apr 2, 2027 per the WSR 26-12-068 proposal (adopted text not re-read) |
| Pools | Ch. 246-260 WAC Water Recreation Facilities (pools, spas, wading and spray pools) + ch. 246-262 WAC (water slides, wave pools and similar)Ch. 246-260 WAC (chapter last updated Oct 31, 2025 per the legislature site) excludes single-family and duplex facilities for resident use, therapeutic facilities and saunas. Construction permit needed before building or altering a pool (decision within 30 days; valid 18 months). Slides and wave pools fall under ch. 246-262. SourceChecked on the source | Local health officers review plans, issue construction and operating permits, inspect and enforce (WAC 246-260-021, -101, -211), with the Department of Health | Rulemaking pendingWAC 246-260 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (scope exclusions and 30-day/18-month permit terms confirmed); DOH rulemaking page and Model Aquatic Health Code alignment status not re-read |
| Lodging | DOH Transient Accommodation licensing (ch. 70.62 RCW, ch. 246-360 WAC); fire safety under WAC 246-360-220Licensee keeps a written fire-safety plan (smoke detectors, extinguisher checks about every 30 days, NFPA 72 alarm and NFPA 25 sprinkler upkeep, clear exits) or provides a current local fire inspection. Extension cords, space heaters need local fire authority written approval. WAC 246-360-220 history line shows WSR 04-24-002, effective Apr 1, 2005. SourceChecked on the source | Department of Health licenses (annual renewal) and inspects; L&I investigates RCW 49.60.515 complaints and may fine willful violations | Rulemaking pendingNo pending lodging rule confirmed; WAC 246-360-220 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (WSR 04-24-002, eff. Apr 1, 2005) |
| Workplace | Washington State Plan run by L&I Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) under ch. 49.17 RCW (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act)Covers private employers and state and local government workers; initial approval Jan 26, 1973, certified Feb 9, 1982. Federal OSHA keeps federal workers, offshore maritime, military reservations, some tribal lands, and private-sector 11(c) retaliation cases. SourceChecked on the source | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH); federal OSHA for excluded areas | In forceIn force per OSHA State Plan page (re-read Oct 15, 2026); DOSH rulemaking not checked |
| Retrofit | Clean Buildings Performance Standard (RCW 19.27A.210; energy, not life safety) for buildings over 20,000 sq ft counting hotel floor area + WA IFC Sec. 1103 existing-building rules (WAC 51-54A-1103)CBPS Tier 1 (>50,000 sq ft): benchmarking, O&M program, energy plan, EUI target or alternative path. IFC 1103: responder radio enhancement where coverage is inadequate, at wired-system replacement or local deadline; CO alarms in existing R at permitted work. SourceChecked on the source | Department of Commerce administers CBPS (compliance reports, penalties); local fire code officials enforce Sec. 1103 | Tier 1 report Jun 1, 2027CBPS Tier 1 90,001-220,000 sq ft due Jun 1, 2027; Tier 2 reporting due Jul 1, 2027 (Commerce); Tier 1 50,001-90,000 sq ft due Jun 1, 2028; RCW 19.27A.210 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (latest 2025 c 264) |
| Environmental | Federal EPA baseline (SPCC, Tier II, HFC, RICE, asbestos NESHAP) plus Washington layer: annual UST license via Dept. of Revenue (WAC 173-360A-0200); air notice-of-construction exemptions (WAC 173-400-110); L&I asbestos project notice (WAC 296-65-020); purveyor cross-connection programs with annual backflow tests (WAC 246-290-490)Read Oct 15, 2026: UST licenses renew annually with tank fees and financial responsibility proof. Exempt from air notice: emergency engines up to 500 aggregate bhp; gas or propane combustion units up to 4 MMBtu/hr, #2 oil up to 1 MMBtu/hr. Asbestos projects over 48 sq ft or 10 linear ft need L&I notice. Backflow assemblies tested annually. SourceChecked on the source | Washington Dept. of Ecology (USTs; air where no local agency); Dept. of Revenue (UST license); L&I (asbestos project notice); local clean air agencies (air registration, asbestos rules); water purveyors and DOH (cross-connection); local sewer utilities (SSO, grease, lift stations); U.S. EPA | Renewal Mar 1, 2027Next Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; UST license renews annually; SSO reporting, grease and local clean air agency asbestos rules not read; local agency or utility confirms |
2021 International Fire Code with Washington amendments (ch. 51-54A WAC), part of the State Building Code; effective Mar 15, 2024. Applies statewide to new and existing buildings under RCW 19.27, including WA-amended Chapter 11 existing-building rules. Took effect with the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC and UPC; last amended by WSR 23-20-027. Enforced by: Cities and counties enforce through local fire code officials (RCW 19.27.050); State Fire Marshal's Office (WSP) inspects state-licensed health, residential-care and child-care facilities and does plan review/inspection only where locals cannot; State Building Code Council adopts.
2021 International Building Code incl. Appendix E with Washington amendments (ch. 51-50 WAC); effective Mar 15, 2024. Mandatory statewide State Building Code (RCW 19.27); the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC and UPC took effect together. The 2024 cycle adds IEBC and IFGC tracks; the WUI code is reserved pending statewide wildfire mapping. Enforced by: Counties and cities enforce or contract for enforcement (RCW 19.27.050); State Building Code Council adopts and amends.
Elevators: L&I Elevator Program; municipalities with elevator codes before Jun 13, 1963 may keep jurisdiction (RCW 70.87.200); Seattle (SDCI) runs its own annual conveyance inspections and certificates (Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 effective Oct 2, 2023; table also lists A18.1 and A17.3-2015 (A17.3 enforcement reported suspended by L&I policy since Feb 2025, not re-read)). Boilers: L&I Boiler and Pressure Vessel program issues certificates of inspection; inspections by L&I inspectors or commissioned insurance-company/operating-company special inspectors (RCW 70.79.130) (Ch. 70.79 RCW + ch. 296-104 WAC; inspection frequencies in WAC 296-104-100 as amended by WSR 26-18-075 (filed Sep 1, 2026, effective Oct 2, 2026)).
Washington runs an OSHA-approved state plan: Washington State Plan: Department of Labor & Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
Fire: New edition May 3, 2027 (2024 IFC with WA amendments: final draft (V2) was on the Oct 30, 2026 Council agenda; no Oct 16 or Oct 30 outcome posted (read Oct 31, 2026); IFC CR-103 still '); Building: New edition May 3, 2027 (Oct 30, 2026: Council voted an emergency wildfire rebuilding rule (energy code flexibility, WSEC-R R101.2), filed Nov 4, 2026 and stated effective immediately (); Boilers: Rulemaking pending (WSR 26-18-075 in force Oct 2, 2026 (history note re-read Oct 19, 2026); new operation section WAC 296-104-450 takes effect Apr 2, 2027 per the WSR 26-12-068 pro); Nov 20, 2026: State Building Code Council meeting (10 a.m., Olympia); energy codes final adoption targeted. The SBCC home page (read Nov 9, 2026) posts an Oct 30 emergency wildfire rebuilding rule filed Nov 4; no other Oct 16 or Oct 30 outcome is posted; Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration.
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