What building code does Seattle, WA use?
Seattle, WA currently enforces the 2021 Seattle Building Code (2021 IBC with Washington State and Seattle amendments). Seattle enforces the state-adopted code. Washington's 2021-based state codes took effect 2024-03-15, but Seattle's own amended 2021 Seattle Codes and the 2023 Seattle Electrical Code became effective 2024-11-15, and Seattle remains on the 2021 cycle as of July 2026 since the state's 2024-based codes are not slated to become operative until 2027-05-03.
Adopted codes
| Scope | Code | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Seattle Building Code (2021 IBC with Washington State and Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Residential | Seattle Residential Code (2021 IRC with Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Fire | Seattle Fire Code (2021 IFC with Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Mechanical | Seattle Mechanical Code (2021 IMC with Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Plumbing | Washington State Plumbing Code (2021 Uniform Plumbing Code with state and Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Electrical | National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), via 2023 Seattle Electrical Code (with local amendments) | 2023 |
| Energy | Seattle Energy Code (city-amended 2021 Washington State Energy Code) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
| Other | Seattle Existing Building Code (2021 IEBC with Seattle amendments) (with local amendments) | 2021 |
Current adoptions effective 2024-11-15.
Permits: Seattle permitting office
Get this data as JSON
curl https://codes.submittal.app/api/v1/cities/seattle.jsonConfidence: high · Verified against official sources:
- https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/codes-we-enforce-(a-z)/building-code
- https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/codes-we-enforce-(a-z)/electrical-code
- https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/codes-we-enforce-(a-z)/energy-code
- https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/changes-to-code/2021-seattle-code-adoption
- https://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2024/09/05/the-seattle-construction-codes-are-being-updated/
- https://www.seattle.gov/fire/business-services/fire-code-and-fire-safety-documents
- https://sbcc.wa.gov/
Part of the open building-codes dataset (CC BY 4.0). See also: Washington statewide adoptions.