From the Government Affairs Director

JULY-TIS THE SEASON FOR CODE UPDATES

We may remain in a slow housing market, but the County and cities are busy updating local building codes and development regulations this summer. Here just a few of the ongoing efforts affecting builders, developers, and remodelers.

Building Codes: The State adopted the 2009 International Building and Residential Codes last year, and July 1 is the deadline for local governments to adopt the codes with or without local amendment. Pierce County and cities have made some amendments to the codes, but have adopted these codes as-is for the most part. Pierce County is not requiring that existing base plans be updated; instead, "base plan updates will not be required this code cycle. As of June 1, 2010 any new base plan will be set up for the 2009 Editions of the code. Existing Base Plans may continue in use. New building permit applications beginning July 1, 2010, using existing Base Plans do have to comply with the 2009 edition of the code. To assist in complying with the changes, we will be attaching a modified cover sheet to the permit. Contractors will be responsible to review the modified cover sheet and make necessary changes during construction."

Residential Fire Sprinklers: One major issue accompanying adoption of the 2009 IRC is whether local governments will require residential fire sprinklers on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. This follows the decision last fall by the State Building Code Council to not mandate sprinklers at a statewide level, but leave it to local governments to decide.

MBA is tracking action by governments and opposing residential fire sprinkler mandates, but member input is vital to talk to elected officials and staff about why a mandate is the wrong way to go. BIAW has a fire sprinkler information kit on-line including graphics and talking points on its website at www.biaw.com. To find out how you can help fight this fight, contact Tiffany Speir or Ruth Doyle.

Washington State Energy Code: Last fall, the State Building Code Council (SBCC) approved a new Energy Code. As a result of direction given by the council, the energy code TAG limited the application of WSEC chapters 1.9 to the single family, duplex and townhomes. The new code would implement additional requirements for building insulation, windows, heating systems controls and air leakage control as mandatory requirements for all new homes. In addition, the revisions included in the 2009 WSEC require permit applicants to apply an additional prescriptive requirement (Table 9.1). The code provides a choice of measures such as improved space heating equipment, improved water heating equipment, designs that further control HVAC system losses to the exterior, improved air leakage control and additional lighting requirements. The conditioned floor area of the home is another aspect of energy consumption that is addressed by the final adopted rules, which provide a reduced set of requirements for small homes (less than 1500 square feet) and an increased set of requirements for very large homes (more than 5000 square feet).

The WSEC was originally scheduled to be in effect July 1. However, in response to letters from MBA of Pierce Co. and MBA of King & Snohomish Counties requesting a delay in implementation, as well as a legal challenge of some provisions in the proposed code that has been filed by BIAW, Governor Gregoire asked the SBCC to delay implementation until April 2011. On June 11, the State Building Code Council (SBCC) voted under an emergency rule to delay implementation of the WA State Energy Code (WSEC) until Oct. 29, 2010. The SBCC also voted to open regular rulemaking to allow the possibility of extending the delay through April 1, 2011. Go to http://www.sbcc.wa.gov/ for more information.

County Code Consolidation: Pierce County staff is deep into drafting Code Consolidation Phase II language, which will reorganize and consolidate road design standards, low impact development requirements, and more. Phase II is scheduled for hearings at the County’s Planning Commission the morning of July 27 as well as the evenings of August 4 and August 11 (if needed.) If the Planning Commission completes its work in July, the package will likely be heard by the Council in September.

MBA has tracked the proposal as it was drafted and will participate in public hearings throughout its consideration. Thank you to members who have provided feedback to date. If you are interested in providing input to MBA and/or the public hearings, please contact Tiffany Speir at 272-2112 ext. 105.