Bill > HB2486

This bill aims to control the costs associated with the state energy code, particularly in light of rising housing prices in Washington, where the median price of a new home is significantly high and unaffordable for many households. It directs the state building code council to prioritize affordability when updating the energy code, specifically by controlling cost escalation. A key provision allows a "code official" (the person responsible for enforcing building codes) to approve construction or repair designs that don't fully meet the state energy code if strict adherence is either impossible or "economically impractical," meaning the cost of the requirement far outweighs the savings from reduced energy usage within 10 years. Furthermore, for the 2026 and 2029 code cycles, the state building code council is prohibited from imposing requirements that would increase the cost of building a residential unit of 1,700 square feet or smaller beyond the cost of building under the January 1, 2026, energy code; code officials can approve less costly options from prior energy codes if current ones exceed these cost limits, and this flexibility is extended to projects intended to provide affordable housing. The bill also amends existing law (RCW 19.27.060) to clarify that actions taken by a code official in compliance with these new provisions are not subject to certain existing approval requirements.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2486&Year=2025&Initiative=false