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 Criteria2018 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


2015 Prescriptive Wood Deck

Deck WA State Amendments

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.


Noise Level Reduction Ordinance

Noise Zone 2 requirements

Noise Zone 3 requirements

Noise Zone Map

Island County Code chapter 14.01B

Construction to provide reduction of 25 decibels

Construction to provide reduction of 30 decibels

Mapping of Noise zones 

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

2018 IRC section R322

2018 IBC section 1612

Island County Code chapter 14.02A

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.


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