The bill aims to address the shortage of low-rise residential buildings in Washington by establishing a performance-based building code compliance pathway. This new framework is intended to reduce regulatory friction, enhance permitting predictability, and support off-site manufacturing and industrialized construction. The legislation mandates the state building code council to adopt a mandatory appendix to the international building code, specifically for low-rise residential buildings, which will allow for compliance based on measurable performance rather than prescriptive methods. A technical advisory group will be formed to recommend performance-based code amendments, ensuring that the new compliance pathway aligns with existing energy efficiency and emissions programs.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 19.27A.020 to include provisions that allow reductions in embodied carbon associated with building materials to offset operational energy use intensity requirements in performance-based compliance pathways. This change aims to integrate sustainability into the building code while maintaining flexibility in design and construction. The council is tasked with ensuring that the performance-based compliance pathway harmonizes with the Washington state energy codes and greenhouse gas emissions regulations, ultimately facilitating increased housing production and reducing costs while upholding health and safety standards.

Statutes affected:
Substitute bill: 19.27A.020