Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 areas verified on 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. SourceVerified 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: SBCC final adoption vote targeted Oct 16, 2026; effective May 3, 2027 |
| 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. SourceVerified 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, 20272024 IBC/IEBC with WA amendments effective May 3, 2027 (final adoption vote targeted Oct 16, 2026); 2024 energy codes final adoption targeted Nov 20, 2026, same effective date |
| Elevators | Ch. 296-96 WAC (RCW 70.87): ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19, A18.1-2020 and A17.3-2015 adopted eff. Oct 2, 2023; A17.3-2015 enforcement suspended by L&I Policy 07-16-105 since Feb 24, 2025Annual state inspection and operating certificate. WA amendments require quarterly firefighters' emergency operation tests, yearly tests of recall/shunt-trip fire alarm devices, and yearly escalator cleaning. Existing units cited via A17.2 (A17.1-2000+) or legacy WAC rules. SourceVerified 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 forceIn force; no code-edition rulemaking found (A17.3 suspension lasts until L&I adopts a later edition, no date set); 6.51% elevator fee increase took effect Jul 1, 2026 |
| Boilers | Ch. 70.79 RCW + ch. 296-104 WAC; inspection frequencies in WAC 296-104-100 (last amended eff. Sep 1, 2015)Certificate inspections: power boilers internal and external annually; low-pressure heating boilers external every two years, internal generally every fourth year; hot water heaters external every two years; unfired pressure vessels every two years. SourceVerified 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) | In forceIn force; no pending ch. 296-104 rulemaking found (L&I rulemaking page did not render; 2026 fee rule excluded boilers) |
| Pools | Ch. 246-260 WAC Water Recreation Facilities (pools, spas, wading and spray pools) + ch. 246-262 WAC (water slides, wave pools and similar)Covers public and commercial pools, including hotel pools; single-family and duplex resident pools exempt. Construction and operating permits required. Chapter reorganized eff. Oct 31, 2004; definitions last amended Apr 22, 2022. SourceVerified 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 pendingDOH revision aligning 246-260/246-262 with the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code is at draft stage (CR-101 Dec 13, 2016); cost-survey comments close Sep 30, 2026; no CR-102 or effective date |
| Lodging | DOH Transient Accommodation license (ch. 70.62 RCW, ch. 246-360 WAC) for 3+ lodging units rented under 30 days; RCW 49.60.515 isolated-worker protections (amended eff. Jan 1, 2026)WAC 246-360-220: smoke detectors in sleeping rooms, roughly monthly extinguisher checks, NFPA 72/25 system upkeep, clear egress; a current local fire inspection satisfies it. Hotels must give isolated housekeepers and room-service staff panic buttons, policy and training. SourceVerified on the source | Department of Health licenses (annual renewal) and inspects; L&I investigates RCW 49.60.515 complaints and may fine willful violations | In forceIn force; license fees raised eff. Dec 1, 2025 (WSR 25-22-068); no pending lodging rule found |
| 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. SourceVerified on the source | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH); federal OSHA for excluded areas | In force |
| 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. SourceVerified 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; Tier 1 50,001-90,000 sq ft due Jun 1, 2028 (over-220,000 sq ft deadline Jun 1, 2026 has passed) |
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, A18.1-2020 and A17.3-2015 adopted eff. Oct 2, 2023; A17.3-2015 enforcement suspended by L&I Policy 07-16-105 since Feb 24, 2025). 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 (last amended eff. Sep 1, 2015)).
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: SBCC final adoption vote targeted Oct 16, 2026; effective May 3, 2027); Building: New edition May 3, 2027 (2024 IBC/IEBC with WA amendments effective May 3, 2027 (final adoption vote targeted Oct 16, 2026); 2024 energy codes final adoption targeted Nov 20, 2026, same); Pools: Rulemaking pending (DOH revision aligning 246-260/246-262 with the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code is at draft stage (CR-101 Dec 13, 2016); cost-survey comments close Sep 30, 2026; n); Oct 16, 2026: TARGET: State Building Code Council final adoption vote on the 2024 IBC, IEBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IFC and UPC with Washington amendments (CR-103P filing targeted Nov 18, 2026); May 3, 2027: 2024 Washington State Building Code takes effect: IBC, IEBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IFC, UPC and energy codes (energy final adoption targeted Nov 20, 2026).
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