Washington Association of Building Officials

2021 WA Code Implementation Delay

On May 24, 2023 the State Building Code Council voted to delay the implementation of the 2021 Washington State Building Codes under emergency rule for 120 days starting on June 30, 2023.  

The Council also voted to enter CR101 off-cycle rulemaking to revise portions of the 2021 Washington State Energy Code (residential and commercial) that would mitigate similar legal risks for Washington State described in the ruling by the 9^th Circuit Court.  

These actions were taken during a Special Meeting of the SBCC that was called to address a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Case (CA Restaurant Association vs. Berkley) the federal appeals court has ruled that Berkeley, California, cannot enforce a ban on natural gas piping installation in new buildings, saying a U.S. Energy Policy and Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) preempts the city's regulation. 

The SBCC is still litigating a lawsuit from Northwest Regional Council of The National Construction Alliance, et al, on adopted 2021 rules. 

The SBCC was also served with an additional Federal Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Lawsuit that was filed by Rivera, et al, based on the federal preemption ruling in the Berkley case. 

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WABO 2023 Summer Business Meeting

Registration for the 2023 WABO Summer Business Meeting is now available.  The meeting is scheduled for July 20-21, 2023, at the Convention Center in Ocean Shores, WA.   Reserve your room at the Lighthouse Suites Inn and reserve early as full & partial ocean views are on a first come first serve basis.   Please call 360-289-2311 for a special room rate of $206.99 and mention WABO and event dates when making your reservations.  If this is your first meeting, sign up for a WABO scholarship which covers your registration and a two-night hotel stay.

Information/Registration

WABO 2023 Annual Business Meeting

Members from around the state took time from their busy schedule to learn, share, and connect at the Enzian Inn for the 2023 Annual Business Meeting.  The meeting included the annual elections of board members and the Awards Banquet on Thursday night.  WABO was honored to welcome ICC Director, Jim Sayers, who provided members with and update of critical issues from a national perspective and ICC Secretary/Treasurer, David Spencer, who took time from his busy schedule to provide an open forum Question and Answer session with our membership.

President and Committee Reports

COAP Seeking Qualified Instructors

The WABO Code Official Accreditation Program (COAP) Committee is currently seeking instructors for the WABO-COAP Program! If you are interested in sharing your knowledge, skills and abilities with the next generation of Code Officials entering and growing in the profession, please take this exciting opportunity to join the team! You can apply online to submit your resume and areas of interest.

Click here for more information about the COAP Program.

For detailed information about this opportunity, or for further questions, please e-mail [email protected]

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