Code references for Washington

Compare publications and accessories linked by code family and edition to records for Washington. A match does not establish the requirement for your project. Read each record’s status, scope, dates and amendments, then confirm with the applicable authority.

Read the state coverage carefully

Washington uses a mandatory, uniform statewide building code set adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC) covering the I-Codes (IBC/IEBC/ISPSC, IRC, IMC/IFGC, IFC, IWUIC), plus a separately state-authored energy code (Washington State Energy Code, WSEC) and a plumbing code based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (not ICC's IPC). Electrical code (NFPA 70) is adopted on its own cycle by the Department of Labor & Industries, independent of the SBCC building-code cycle.

Authority: Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC); Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I, electrical).

View the state's official source

National Electrical Code 2023

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington Dept. of Labor & Industries (WAC 296-46B-010) adopts the 2023 NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) statewide, administered separately from the SBCC building-code cycle. Note: WAC 296-46B-010 schedules the 2026 NEC (NFPA 70-2026) to replace this edition effective December 31, 2026 -- re-verify after that date.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: Unknown

Recorded source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-010

International Building Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington State Building Code Council adopts the 2021 International Building Code (WAC 51-50) statewide, effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Existing Building Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: The 2021 International Existing Building Code is incorporated within Washington's IBC adoption (WAC 51-50), effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: The 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code is incorporated within Washington's IBC adoption (WAC 51-50), effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Residential Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington State Building Code Council adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (WAC 51-51) statewide, effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Mechanical Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington State Building Code Council adopts the 2021 International Mechanical Code (WAC 51-52) statewide, effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Fuel Gas Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: The 2021 International Fuel Gas Code is incorporated within Washington's mechanical code adoption (WAC 51-52), effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code 2020

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: The 2020 NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) is incorporated within Washington's mechanical code adoption (WAC 51-52), effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

National Fuel Gas Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: The 2021 NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) is incorporated within Washington's mechanical code adoption (WAC 51-52), effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Fire Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington State Building Code Council adopts the 2021 International Fire Code (WAC 51-54A) statewide, effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines

International Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Washington. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Washington State Building Code Council adopts the 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface Code statewide, effective March 15, 2024.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2024-03-15

Recorded source: https://sbcc.wa.gov/state-codes-regulations-guidelines