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International Building Code

The 2009 International Building Code, incorporated by reference into the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50). Establishes minimum requirements for building systems through prescriptive and performance provisions.

Direct answer and reference scope

International Building Code is presented here as a reference within the IBC 2009 collection for Washington. The 2009 International Building Code, incorporated by reference into the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50). Establishes minimum requirements for building systems through prescriptive and performance provisions. Use the Washington State Building Code Council to confirm the code edition currently adopted for the project, and compare the model text with state amendments, local amendments, effective dates and the permit authority's interpretation. The ICC code library is the model-code publication path. This Harth page is a searchable reference transcription, not an official code publication, legal opinion or confirmation that this edition controls a particular address. Record the project jurisdiction, application date, occupancy, construction type and amendment set before relying on a section. Where this page conflicts with an official publication or the authority having jurisdiction, the official source controls.

Authored and prepared by Harth. Review scope: official verification path added; code text and current local applicability have not been independently reviewed.

Washington's State Building Code Council adopted the 2009 IBC as WAC 51-50, effective July 1, 2010, for buildings other than detached one- and two-family dwellings. The full text below is reproduced from the 2009 edition as incorporated into law, sourced from public.resource.org; Washington applies state amendments on top. It covers how buildings are classified, sized, and made safe to occupy.

Where verbatim source text is shown, it is reproduced from the code as adopted into law by the jurisdiction, sourced from public.resource.org under the government edicts doctrine (see Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, Inc., 590 U.S. 255 (2020)). This material reflects enacted law and is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect local amendments or the most recently adopted edition. Always verify requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.