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Code Status: Washington

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Washington. Information for all 50 States is also available. Washington Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: State-developed and implemented code. Most recent updates effective July 1, 2007. Exceeds 2006 IECC standards for most homes. Mandatory statewide.
  • Commercial Code: State-developed code that is equivalent to ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004 for most commercial buildings; for residential construction covered by 90.1-2007 (high rise buildings four stories or more), the state code is more stringent that 90.1-2007 in all respects. Most recent updates effective July 1, 2007.
  • Code Change Cycle: Three-year code review/change cycle. Most recent update effective: July 1, 2007.
  • Jurisdictions: Washington Class A cities may choose to exceed the state code for non-residential buildings; mandatory statewide.
    Seattle has implemented a code that exceeds ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 by 20%.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) reviews and amends the state energy code for residential and nonresidential buildings respectively.

Within 60 days of receipt of a proposed change, the SBCC decides if the proposal warrants further consideration. If the SBCC accepts the change, rulemaking begins and the change is sent to a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for review. The TAG members have varying expertise in the construction industry related to the proposed change. After completing the review, the TAG submits its recommendations back to the SBCC. The SBCC then makes the final determination on acceptance. Once final approval is granted by the SBCC, the rule is filed with the Washington State Code Reviser and then published in the Washington State Register. The final rule becomes effective after the next legislative session.

State Code History: Washington's first energy code, adopted in 1977 by statute, was a voluntary requirement. The State Building Code Act and State Energy Code Act (SECA) were passed by the legislature in 1985. The State Building Code Act gave rulemaking authority to the SBCC, which oversees all building and energy codes within the state. The first statewide energy code, adopted in 1986, was applicable to all new buildings, and was based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90A-1980.

In 2004 amendments were adopted by the SBCC for non-residential occupancies. Non-residential envelope, equipment, and lighting requirements were increased and exceed ASHRAE 90.1-2001 standards.

The 2006 Washington State Energy Code was adopted in November of 2006 and made effective July 1, 2007. For low-rise residential construction, its stringency exceeds the 2006 IECC standards. For high-rise residential construction (four stories or more), the WSEC is more stringent than ASHRAE 90.1-2007 in all respects. For commercial buildings, the WSEC is roughly equivalent to ASHRAE 90.1-2004, save for equipment and lighting standards, which are somewhat more stringent.

Washington Code
Chronology

Enactment Date

Effective Date

Description

1977

1978

First voluntary residential and non-residential state energy code

1979

1980

Second voluntary residential and non-residential state energy code

1985

1986

First mandatory state non-residential energy code based on ASHRAE Standard 90A-1980

1990

1991

State legislature passes bill updating residential energy code

Sept 1993

Apr 1994

Second mandatory state non-residential code updated to meet ASHRAE 90.1-1989

1997

1998

Code cycle revision: Expanded
default values, no change to envelope requirements, equipment efficiency tables, or LPD requirements.

2000

2001

Code cycle revision: Expanded default values and changed retail lighting paths. No change in envelope or equipment efficiency requirements

2001

July 2002

Emergency changes: Equipment efficiency levels updated to ASHRAE 90.1-1999; increased use of economizers, changes to prescriptive lighting fixtures and controls, and the establishment of minimum requirements for commissioning of HVAC and lighting systems. No changes in LPD requirements envelope.

2003

July 2004

2003 Washington State Energy Code: Editorial changes, essentially the same as 2001 Second edition.

Nov 2004

July 2005

Building Code Council recommended changes. Significant LPD changes.

Nov 2006

July 2007

2006 Washington State Energy Code

???

???

Fall 2008: Hearings on proposed changes for 2009 WSEC

Sources: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (April 2008) and Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program (January 1997)

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 479.8 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 371.5 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 851.3 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 5,894,121
  • Total Housing Units2: 2,530,215
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 48,595
    • 1 unit: 37,149
    • 2 units: 1,230
    • 3 and 4 units: 1,196
    • 5+ units: 9,020
    • structures of 5+ units: 568

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Krista Braaksma
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
State Building Code Council
9th and Columbia Bldg
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525

Tel: (360) 725-2964
Fax: (360) 586-9383
Kristab@cted.wa.gov

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