Wildfire Rebuild Code Relief

Washington officials are weighing whether homeowners who lost residences in the 2026 wildfires should receive temporary flexibility from current energy-code requirements.

Gov. Bob Ferguson has urged the Washington State Building Code Council to adopt an emergency rule that would:

• Allow homes built before 2015 to be rebuilt under the 2015 energy code.
• Allow newer homes to be rebuilt under the energy code in effect when the original residence was constructed.
• Limit the flexibility to people who owned the property when it was damaged or destroyed.

The proposal is intended to reduce upfront rebuilding costs and help affected communities recover. It has not been adopted. Council members have raised concerns that earlier standards could result in higher long-term utility costs, and the council is also considering narrower forms of relief.

The debate is especially relevant to builders and local permitting officials working with wildfire survivors. It also reflects the broader tension between construction affordability, housing production and increasingly stringent energy-efficiency requirements.

The State Building Code Council could consider the options at its October 30 meeting. Members should monitor the council’s final action before advising clients that an earlier energy code may be used.

Related Links: Read the Seattle Times report
Review the governor’s wildfire-recovery announcement
View State Building Code Council meetings