Planning BuildingCodes

Island County > Planning > BuildingCodes

Building Codes

FAQs

What building code is Island County currently using?
Currently Island County is reviewing with the requirements of the 2018 code cycle.

Do I need a building permit?
The items listed in 2018 IBC section 105.2 and 2018 IRC section R105.2 are exempt from a building permit. This does not exempt the project from other department permits or requirements.

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 here. This is the Design Criteria that your engineer will need to design your building.

How do I check the status of my building permit?

You can sign up for an account on our Public Portal to review the status of your building permit, review your permit information, request inspections, and get general information about your building permit.

Does Island County allow alternative building construction?
Yes, alternative materials are allowed. It is the owners responsibility to provide all information for minimum code compliance of proposed alternative materials. This may also include engineering.

EFFECTIVE SEPT. 1, 2021

Building Inspection Requests will be taken online thru the

Public Portal ONLY

*******

How do I view my building inspection results?

Our building inspections are now 100% digital. You can 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. Please call (360) 679-7339 and we will provide you with your access code. You will be able to see all permits with that email attached to it.

Helpful Code Links

2018 Washington State Residential and Non-residential Energy Code information 2018 WSEC Single Family Residence prescriptive worksheet 2018 WSEC Multifamily prescriptive worksheet 2018 WSEC Compliance Certificate	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) 2018 WA International Building Code (IBC) 2018 WA International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2018 WA International Fire Code (IFC)	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.
State Building Code Council (SBCC) WA State Building Code Amendments	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 Dept. 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

All International Codes 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) 2015 International Building Code (IBC) 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2015 International Fire Code (IFC)	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.
2015 CODE - Required Building Permits	This document provides a general list of work that requires or does not require a building permit.
2015 Design Criteria	2015 IRC & IBC Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria for Island County
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 pole structure within the requirements described on the plan.
Building Height detail	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. Please also 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 Flood Information

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.

Staff Contact

Building Department
BuildingDept@islandcountywa.gov

Coupeville

Mainline
(360)-679-7339

Camano Annex Main Phone

(360)-387-3443

Request a Building Inspection on the Public Portal prior to 3pm on a business day for a next business day Building Inspection. (Federal Holidays Observed)

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