Governor Inslee’s Repeal of the State Building Code Council’s Code Extensions Will Increase Home Prices by at least $15,000 During the Pandemic
The Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) is disappointed with Governor Inslee’s veto of the Washington State Building Code Councils’ decision to delay the state building and energy code from February 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021.
With less than two weeks until the new codes take effect, builders will have to scramble to educate themselves and comply.
Governor Inslee claims that “delaying implementation of the code to July 1, 2021… is not necessary to preserve the public health, safety, or general welfare,” and thus ordered the council to immediately repeal the extension.
The BIA is disappointed in the governor’s veto because the code changes will add an average of $15,000 to $20,000 to the cost of a newly constructed home. In a time when home prices are skyrocketing due to increased demand (caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and low interest rates), labor and supply chain disruptions, and historically low inventory of existing and newly built homes, this is the absolute worst time to institute new and costly building codes.
The BIA disagrees with the governor’s claims and firmly believes that delaying the code implementation would have provided significant relief to public health, safety, and general welfare of all Washingtonians. What is more foundational to the health, safety, and wellbeing of citizens than affordable access to a place to call home, providing the most basic needs such as warmth, rest, security, and safety?
Our state counterpart, the Building Industry Association of Washington, is also deeply concerned about the governor’s decision and is exploring all options – including litigation – to reinstitute the State Building Code Council’s emergency delay.
Jurisdictions
Clark County
A building permit will be reviewed under the current code (2015 WAC) if the following three items are completed prior to midnight January 31, 2021:
- Create your application online in LMS.
- Pay initial review fees to put application in submitted status.
- Schedule an appointment by emailing permitservicesappt@clark.wa.gov.
Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal ⇒ access
Resources
Contact Ryan Makinster for questions.
View the BIA’s Letter Asking for Code Extension
Listen to BIAW’s President Tracy Doriot of Doriot Construction LLC on the Lars Larson Show!
Skip to 1 hour and 11 minutes to hear Tracy’s segment.