Building Codes
Struggling with the 2021 WSEC credits and what to select for your residence?
On the WA State Energy Code website, they have provided a cookbook of credit "recipes" for all residence sizes to review and use. Visit their WSEC Energy Code Forms and Documentation web page for great additional information on the energy code, including the 2021 WSEC-R Energy Code Cookbook. Please note the most current version of the WSEC-R Credit Worksheet is dated 12/12/2024.
2021 WA State Building Codes are effective March 15, 2024
- All building permits will now meet the 2021 WA State amended Building Codes.
Building Inspection Requests accepted via the Public Portal
- 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
- Experiencing issues with your Public Portal account? Contact us at 360-679-7339.
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 to use an access code. Call 360-679-7339, and we will provide you with your access code with an email showing all the permits linked to that code.
2021 BUILDING CODE LINKS AND INFORMATION
| 2021 WA Building Code 2021 WA Residential Code 2021 WA Mechanical Code | This is the International Code Council (ICC) website. Please see section 101.2 for the scope of each code. The WA State International Codes can be purchased or read on this website. |
| 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code | THIS LINK DOES NOT INCLUDE THE WA STATE AMENDMENTS. Please see section 101.2 for the scope of this code. Note: the IPC is not adopted in WA state. |
| 2021 International Fire Code | THIS LINK DOES NOT INCLUDE THE WA STATE AMENDMENTS. Please see section 101.2 for the scope of this code. |
| 2021 WA State Energy Code 2021 WSEC Residential Worksheets | This link includes both Commercial code, Residential code, and past code cycles. Please see section 101.2 for the scope of each code. WSEC Residential energy code worksheets link |
| 2021 IRC Prescriptive Deck | 2021 Island County Prescriptive Deck Handout |
Details to Help Plan Your Building
| 2018 and 2021 code links | |
|---|---|
| 2021 IRC Design Criteria | 2021 Climatic & Geographic Design Criteria for Island County |
| 2021 IRC Work Exempt from a Building Permit | This document provides a general list of work that requires or does not require a building permit. |
| 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. |
| 2018 IRC Design Criteria 2018 IRC Work Exempt from a Building Permit | 2018 code information, no longer current as of 03/15/2024 |
Noise Level Reduction and Flood Damage Prevention
Island County Ordinance for building requirements in the Noise Level Reduction areas. Any building intended for human occupancy in these mapped zones is required to meet the requirements. | |
| 2023 FEMA Elevation Certificate | FEMA Elevation Certificate for the structures in a mapped flood zone. This form is to be completed by a WA licensed surveyor. |
| 2021 IRC section R322 | These sections will provide information regarding special flood area code requirements. Where there is a conflict in the code, the most restrictive is used. |
| 2018 IRC section R322 2018 IBC section 1612 | 2018 code special flood area code requirements. |
| 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 |
Helpful Code Links
| Links | Details |
|---|---|
| 2018 WA 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. |
- What building code is Island County currently using?
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Island County is reviewing with the requirements of the 2018 code cycle.
- What is the design criteria for Island County?
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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?
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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?
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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.