2021 Seattle Code Adoption - Project Documents

The effective date for the 2021 Seattle codes will be November 15, 2024. Until then, applicants may use either the 2018 or draft 2021 Seattle codes. The 2021 Seattle Codes adoption ordinance is continuing through the final stages of the approval process. Printed copies of the Seattle Codes and complete digital versions will be available after the November 15 implementation date.

Project Documents

Below are the proposed changes to the 2021 Seattle Construction Codes. These documents only include code sections that are currently amended or proposed to be amended by the City of Seattle or the state of Washington. To view the unamended portions of a particular code, please visit the International Code Council's website for the free online versions of the codes.  

To view the 2021 Energy Code sections not shown in the 2021 Energy Code document below, please see the 2021 Washington State Energy Code.

• 2021 Seattle Code Significant Changes Summary
• 2024 Seattle Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
• Amendments to 2021 International Fire Code
• Amendments to 2021 International Building Code
• Amendments to 2023 National Electrical Code
• Amendments to 2021 Washington State Energy Code
• Amendments to 2021 International Existing Building Code
• Amendments to 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
• Amendments to 2021 International Mechanical Code
• Amendments to Chapter 51-56 WAC
• Amendments to 2021 International Residential Code

Understanding markings within the proposed code change documents:

A new change has underlined text or struck out text accompanied by a vertical change bar to the left or right of the text. 

Example:

[S] 703.2.3 Approved alternate method. The fire resistance of building elements, components or assemblies not complying with Section 703.2.1 or 703.2.2 shall be permitted to be established by an alternative protection method in accordance with Section ((104.11)) 104.5.

• A bracketed [S] at the beginning of a section means the change comes from SDCI.
• A bracketed [W] indicates a change adopted by the State of Washington.
• Underlined or struck out text not accompanied by a vertical change bar is not new and was a change adopted in a previous code cycle.   
• Text accompanied by a vertical change bar but no [S] or [W] at the beginning of the section and no underlined or struck out text indicates that new changes were made in the base code text by the International Code Council.