[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260151,"mediaKeyId","3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae","parentId",3134762,"title","Council opens 60-day proposal window for residential code amid staff capacity concerns","audioSeconds",2563,"startMs",10920000,"endMs",13483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae&start=10920&end=13483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae/thumbnail_10920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260151/Washington/Council-opens-60-day-proposal-window-for-residential-code-amid-staff-capacity-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260151-a14ed92c1a0440931501067755122d6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483556&Signature=NxxzIuwV1aUnIrLG3RIaPGYstrgYhgtlXLlgayI9XSxtiqm75BuguFMBwJuLZjXeh9cA9ZRxPJUsYuo7Hwb-aLNMF~FtHHeqtRpkcJrNMtPRNn-R0E8gdJ7snsnezVy1MZWWXE6FkcGy-MnVkLVxFFtATtqsgHotPWom3PLJ1nH1npgtue~GIVi-Txe-dKcc0zLjwl3h5Wy07SIEsnm3EbGLuBiDKyLwURmAqoLKeaJbZjvt7kshfkYWN46VGjJsX55txuWlVCQJeyRKfISOCmamJTNZ6BhnOftWrdXhwJqhEgLDTBdaQuzXf-70Q2UtWKY6f1va1BfnWk3-6WlYSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-04-27T02:08:07.077Z","article","The State Building Code Council voted April 25 to open a 60-day proposal window for residential code (IRC) petitions, running from April 25 through June 23.

Council members debated staff workload and whether the residential reports required for petition drafting were ready. Several council members and commenters urged the council to begin accepting petitions so stakeholders could file changes while committee and tag work continues. Council member Roger Harriga moved to open the proposal window immediately for 60 days; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Council staff said certain reports (existing amendments and significant changes) were not yet fully compiled but that the window-opening would allow petitioners to submit code-change proposals referencing the underlying model code or state amendment language. Staff also warned that timetables for tags to review petitions and for staff to prepare required economic and small-business impact analyses are tight and that special meetings and additional drafting support may be necessary.

Why it matters: The residential code affects design and construction of single-family and similar dwellings across Washington. Opening the proposal window initiates the formal petition intake step in the triennial code-adoption process; petitions filed during the window may be referred to tags for drafting and recommendation.

Ending: Staff said they would post draft reports as they become available and to coordinate with tags and stakeholders to manage review workloads during the open window.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC Council Meeting - April 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted to open a 60-day proposal window for the residential (IRC) code beginning April 25, a move proponents said was needed to give stakeholders time to file petitions despite staff and volunteer capacity constraints.","taxTitle","Building Code Council, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington","taxId",24233,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260156,"Council accepts UPC reports and opens 60-day proposal window for 2024 plumbing code",3554,946000,4500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae&start=946&end=4500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae/thumbnail_946000.jpg","/articles/6260156/Washington/Council-accepts-UPC-reports-and-opens-60-day-proposal-window-for-2024-plumbing-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260156-e7439fbf5fdee77d498446fffb1fdb19/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483556&Signature=JvLKYs-yywJJO~XnTGU-J0PvDzu46sWUCmHEDSKg2n1pTkcYUXvIa-kbw0APnQQuJGWHoXfkC0Io3WpGnUNq7LufCeEEpwr-6ZDgbByRW~NOvI09CpWgZwCOjOCenHuewXlTsgVIgzUpGkOEfYz4z9CvrIBsZ8ZR8c-CHK9FY3IX0khWqGbDarx5ATHzwmzC5YJBQ53kAp1YIgtdHR3iOnUVsw2m-E~8rj1AqUpjOkAcNjIwRjyQNtkLLhGPIF6zFkKRDplBtkea~f3yHVAIjYEKsrxqaEJulAVLxEfoT5pioT4z3BlQZK48jAG1qY-r4Gi~-tlpAPPxcOe5rBschQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Building Code Council on April 25 accepted model-code review reports for the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code and opened a 60-day public proposal window for plumbing-code petitions.

The council’s mechanical, ventilation, plumbing and energy (MVPE) committee had reviewed model code changes and existing state amendments for the UPC and recommended that the council accept the committee’s reports and open the code-change proposal window. Ben O’Mourup, acting as ad hoc chair for the MVPE review, moved to accept the UPC reports and open the proposal window; Katie Sheehan seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote.

The proposal window was set to run from April 25 through June 23. Council staff said the 60-day period follows the council’s standard minimum proposal window and allows proponents time to prepare petitions for state amendments or model-code adoption. The UPC review the tag completed included a note that one model-code change (backflow prevention for carbonated beverage dispensers) may conflict with current state Department of Health rules and was therefore flagged for a state amendment proposal.

Why it matters: The UPC governs plumbing installation standards statewide. Acceptance of the tag’s reports and opening a proposal window begins the formal process for stakeholders to propose state amendments or to adopt 2024 model-code language into Washington’s plumbing code.

Context & next steps: Staff said the UPC-related reports are available in the meeting packet. The council will receive proposals filed during the window and, if necessary, refer them to the appropriate technical advisory group for development and recommendation ahead of any final action.

Ending: Staff noted one item flagged for potential state amendment following consultation with the Department of Health; council members asked that subject-matter reviewers be identified to draft language if petitioners do not.","The council accepted the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) review reports prepared by the UPC tag and opened the 2024 UPC proposal window from April 25 to June 23.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260162,"State Building Code Council keeps Initiative 2066 petitions on file, declines immediate rulemaking",3820,2535000,6355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae&start=2535&end=6355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134762-ecc94ac3e13b4559b5fceb22137ce4ae/thumbnail_2535000.jpg","/articles/6260162/Washington/State-Building-Code-Council-keeps-Initiative-2066-petitions-on-file-declines-immediate-rulemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260162-a1f28fd55babacd3192941a0ec596833/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483556&Signature=dUicNoiOBEEIja907iV6Bo6tj92O6X-9EHc5Sgx70PFHhfRIaZj0kv17rBc1LHZas6bGPzRfFkqaB488aquiKnYaPdhKCYxxCZ-YIf8rP50nu~UTccVTJfOjRSrcUUBM8PNfiaedVEiHx88PBgSTfACi7u~Dnc97Uhf6iZHtHSiS5DGgkCXYvGNH6CLoDf7oi-~XO6LDOUdgQNIj3dTw97d9KUAhJc4tfGqLiRs1ZmlP9QdM9zQ4O2MK~HYDzR4NCwAKWdLMgxmNBCka0vo1bZ2kXT~vlXphlGHV~r-4zUrDuQcYeeFB91DFURdiSZlJw0HNCy6PbsED~uR~yOCofA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Building Code Council on April 25 formally acknowledged receipt of petitions tied to Initiative 2066 but voted to hold those petitions on file rather than begin immediate rulemaking.

The council’s vote followed extended legal and stakeholder discussion about a King County Superior Court oral ruling that found Initiative 2066 unconstitutional. Assistant Attorney General Derek Merrick Tall told the council that, while a written judgment has not yet been entered, \"for all intents and purposes, Initiative 2,066 has been determined to be unconstitutional,\" and that the council must treat further action as a policy choice rather than a purely legal obligation.

Why it matters: Petitioners and building-sector groups submitted requests asking the council to consider amendments to the 2021 code that would implement requirements in Initiative 2066. With a pending court process and potential appeal to the state Supreme Court, the council opted to preserve stakeholders’ submissions while avoiding immediate adoption steps that could be overtaken by the courts and future legislative action.

Council discussion centered on two legal points: whether an oral bench ruling is effective before a written order is filed, and whether moving now to open emergency rulemaking would be prudent given the ongoing litigation. Jim Dennison, staff attorney for Sierra Club, argued the council should regard the judge’s oral ruling as effective and urged the council to focus staff resources on the 2024 code work. Climate Solutions’ Deepa Sivrajan read a letter from Pacifica Law Group stating that, in its view, \"Initiative 2,066 is unconstitutional\" and that courts and agencies should act in accordance with the court’s oral ruling while the written order is pending.

After discussion, council member Kjell Anderson moved a revised motion to thank petitioners, maintain the petitions on file, close the agency’s pre-rulemaking CR-101 process for 2021-based petitions, and reserve the council’s ability to restart rulemaking if the courts later reinstate Initiative 2066; the motion was seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote with no noted opposition.

The action preserves submitted petitions so they will be available to the council if the legal landscape changes, while giving staff and volunteer tag members priority to complete the mandated 2024 code adoption work.

Quotes in context: Assistant Attorney General Derek Merrick Tall said the council must now treat further steps as \"a business decision, ultimately, up to the council as to what steps you would wanna take with respect to the 2021 code.\" Deepa Sivrajan, representing Climate Solutions, read from Pacifica Law Group: \"As you are aware, on 03/21/2025, King County Superior Court Judge Sandra Woodland ... declared unequivocally that, 'Initiative 2,066 is unconstitutional.'\"

Ending: The council’s vote documents the petitions as received and available for future use but does not send them immediately to tags for formal rulemaking. Council staff said the petitions and written letters received would be posted to the council’s website for public view; any formal next steps would depend on future court or legislative developments.","After legal briefing and public comment, the council voted to accept petitions related to Initiative 2066 and keep them on file rather than start emergency rulemaking while a court challenge remains pending.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council opens 60-day proposal window for residential code amid staff capacity concerns

Council accepts UPC reports and opens 60-day proposal window for 2024 plumbing code

State Building Code Council keeps Initiative 2066 petitions on file, declines immediate rulemaking