2021 Building Code Updates
2021 Building Code Updates
Update: Codes adopted on August 24, 2021.
State law requires cities and counties to adopt the state building codes as adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC). This proposal would amend Skagit County Code Title 15 to update the County’s adoption of the International Building Codes from the 2015 editions, to the 2018 editions adopted by the SBCC, with local exceptions.
Project description and applicant documents can be found here. You can also provide feedback to Skagit County in the form below. Click here to return to SkagitCounty.com
Building and Fire Codes
The building codes are building standards that are updated every three years to employ current and available construction practices across the industry. Planning and Development Services uses these standards to permit the construction of residential homes, commercial buildings, public structures, and their mechanical systems. The State Building Code Council now references the 2018 editions of the codes. These codes went into effect locally on February 1st, 2021.
This update will change Skagit County Code (SCC) 15.04 references from the 2015 editions, to the 2018 editions of the following International Codes: International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, International Fire Code, International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Property Maintenance Code. The most significant changes are related to the Energy Code.
The specific appendices and supplements of each code are included in Appendix A of the Staff Report. The last time Skagit County updated to these codes was in 2016.
The County can amend the codes adopted by the State Building Code Council to adapt to local conditions, except where it affects single-family or multifamily residential buildings[1].
[1] RCW 19.27.060 Local building regulations superseded—Exceptions.
Board of County Commissioner's adopted the updated codes on August 24, 2021. See ordinance and documents below.