Building Codes
2021 Washington State Code Revised Effective Date |
The State Building Code Council voted on September 15, 2023, to delay the effective date of the 2021 Washington State codes. The new code effective date will be March 15, 2024. The previous effective date were October 29, 2023 and July 1, 2023 respectively. |
Building Inspection Requests accepted via the Public Portal
- Experiencing issues with your Public Portal account? Contact us at 360-679-7339.
- Preference for Building Inspection Requests is the public portal. If you are having issues and cannot reach us for assistance, send your inspection request by email to BuildingDept@islandcountywa.gov
How do I view my building inspection results?
Island County building inspections are 100% digital. Request and review your inspection results online in the Public Portal. When you sign up to the Island County Public Portal with your email you will be prompted for an access code. Call 360-679-7339 and we will provide you with your access code with an email showing all of the permits linked to that code.
Helpful Code Links
| Links | Details |
|---|---|
| 2018 Washington State Residential and Non-residential Energy Code information
|
Residential and Non-residential energy code text, training information, and worksheets.
This certificate is require to be permanently affixed per WSEC R401.3 |
| 2018 WA International Residential Code (IRC) | This is the International Code Council (ICC) website. The Washington State International Codes can be purchased or read on this website. |
| 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
See also SBCC for WA state amendments. |
This is the IAPMO website. The Uniform Plumbing Codes can be purchased or read on this website. |
| 2018 IRC DECK Requirements Handout | This is 2018 IRC prescriptive deck requirements with additional cross sections for clarity. |
| State Building Code Council (SBCC)
|
SBCC building information and all Washington State Building Code Amendments |
| WSU Energy Program -Building Efficiency (WSEC) | WA state energy program information, energy work sheets, training opportunities, duct testers list, and proposed, current, & past energy codes, etc. |
| Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
Electrical permitting and inspections are reviewed and approved through WA L&I. |
| Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) | WABO website has additional building information, training, and other helpful information. |
| Labor and Industries Gas Pipe Pressure Affidavit | Add your company logo to this template prior to use. |
2015 Code Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| All International Codes
|
This is the International Code Council (ICC) website. The International Codes can be purchased or read on this website.
See also SBCC for WA state amendments. |
| 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code | This is the IAPMO website. The Uniform Plumbing Codes can be purchased or read on this website.
See also SBCC for WA state amendments. |
| 2015 Washington State Residential Energy Code text | Residential and Non-residential energy code text |
Details to Help Plan Your Building
| 2018 Design Criteria | 2018 IRC & IBC Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria for Island County |
| 2018 Plan Review Legend | This plan review legend is used on residential plan reviews in an effort to standardize common corrections and speed up review times, it is not a complete list of code requirements. |
| 2018 Work Exempt from Permit | This document provides a general list of work that requires or does not require a building permit. |
| 2015 Design Criteria | This plan review legend is used on residential plan reviews in an effort to standardize common corrections and speed up review times, it is not a complete list of code requirements. |
| 2015 Plan Review Legend | This plan review legend is used on residential plan reviews in an effort to standardize common corrections and speed up review times, it is not a complete list of code requirements. |
| Prescriptive Basic Garage Plan | This requires a building permit. This plan is intended for a one-story prescriptive garage within the scope described on the plan. |
| Pole Building Plan and Requirements | This requires a building permit. This plan is intended for a one-story prescriptive garage within the scope described on the plan. |
| Building Height Averaging | This detail is for Pre-Construction grade. |
| Propane Tank Clearances | This information is per NFPA 58 |
This is a document created by the with American Wood Council (AWC). This document includes the IRC requirements for stairs, guards, and handrails. Remember to use the WA State Amendments for increased deck loads. | |
Island County Code chapter 14.01B Construction to provide reduction of 25 decibels |
| FEMA Elevation Certificate | Effective 04/01/2021 Island County will only accept the FEMA Elevation Certificate. This is to be provided to & approved by the Building Dept. prior to scheduling the Under Floor Inspection |
| These sections will provide information regarding special flood area code requirements. Where there is a conflict in the code, the most restrictive is used. | |
| FEMA.gov | FEMA Flood technical bulletins and other flood information can be searched for on the FEMA website. |
| User's Guide to Technical Bulletins - NFIP technical bulletin 0 / July 2019 | There is a list of technical bulletins within this document the can be searched for on the fema.gov website. |
| Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements | Technical bulletin 2 / August 2008. |
| Crawlspace Construction for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas | Technical bulletin 11 / November 2001. |
- What building code is Island County currently using?
-
Island County is reviewing with the requirements of the 2018 code cycle.
- What is the design criteria for Island County?
-
You can find the 2018 IRC Table R301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria for Island County. This is the Design Criteria that your engineer needs to design your building.
- How do I check the status of my building permit?
-
Sign up for an account on Island County Planning's Public Portal to review the status of your building permit, review permit information, request inspections, and to get general information about your building permit.
- Does Island County allow alternative building construction?
-
Yes, alternative materials are allowed. It is the owner's responsibility to provide all information for minimum code compliance of proposed alternative materials. This may also include engineering.