Washington Association of Building Officials

 

WABO 2024 Annual Education Institute

Registration for the 2024 Annual Education Institute (AEI) is now open!  The 2024 AEI is scheduled for March 25 -28, 2024 at the Lynnwood Event Center (formerly known as the Lynnwood Convention Center).  WABO members receive a discount as well as reduced rates for registering early - register early as classes do fill up fast!

Information / Registration

Building Safety Month

Building Safety Month started as a U.S. campaign 44 years ago.  Today it's celebrated worldwide.  The 44th Annual Building Safety Month will kick off May 1, 2024 with this year's theme:  Mission Possible.  If you are not familiar with building safety month, it is your opportunity to get in front of the public, your elected officials and other departments to highlight what you do and its importance.  For your convenience we have included a Building Safety Month Template as well as WABO's Building Safety Month proclamation for review.  Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to see if you can get your mayor and council to approve your jurisdiction's proclamation.  If you are familiar with it, these forms are modified from ones in the past, so please utilize the template language.  If you are successful in obtaining a proclamation from your jurisdiction, please let the WABO office know so we can compile and share with ICC.  The WABO Board of Directors would like to show the nation that Washington supports Building Safety Month!

It’s mission critical – building safety is the responsibility of us all, and we’re counting on you to help keep the places where we live, work and play safe!  The International Code Council has several great toolkits available to jurisdictions that can be utilized during the month long event.

 

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code Update

The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)Code will no longer be adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC); an emergency rule for this action is on the agenda for the SBCC being held on March 15, 2024. The reason for this change was a bi-partisan bill ESB 6120.  Final passage of the bill in question was February 29th, and the bill was sent to the Governor’s office for signature on March 8th. 

This bill will require new mapping to be created by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR is now required to produce maps based on hazard and risk. The maps have no specific timeframe in which to be completed; however, the consensus is at least a year and half. Based on the legislation, upon completion of those maps local jurisdictions will have an additional six months to adopt something at their local level and they will also have the ability to modify the maps.

This legislation nor SBCC’s emergency rule does not affect an individual jurisdiction’s local authority to adopt and administer the WUI Code.


WABO 2024 Annual Business Meeting

Registration for the 2024 WABO Annual Business Meeting is now available. The meeting is scheduled for April 18-19, 2024, at the Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth, WA. This special meeting includes the election of Board members and the Annual Awards Banquet.  Reserve your room early as the room block ends on March 18, 2024.  Individual reservations can be made by reserving online or by calling the hotel directly at 800-961-0162,  please mention group code 44351A when making your reservations to receive a special WABO Room Rate of $139.

WABO members are also looking for dedicated individuals willing to volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors.  If you would like to become a leader in our great organization, click here.

Information/Registration

 


WABO 2023 Fall Business Meeting

Members from around the state took time from their busy schedule to learn, share, and connect at the Historic Marcus Whitman for the 2023 Fall Business Meeting.  First Timers who attended were able to network with their colleagues from around Washington.

President and Committee Reports

COAP Seeking Qualified Instructors

The WABO Code Official Accreditation Program (COAP) Committee is currently seeking instructors for the WABO-COAP Program! If you are interested in sharing your knowledge, skills and abilities with the next generation of Code Officials entering and growing in the profession, please take this exciting opportunity to join the team! You can apply online to submit your resume and areas of interest.

Click here for more information about the COAP Program.

For detailed information about this opportunity, or for further questions, please e-mail [email protected].




WABO Membership

The Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) was incorporated in 1977 to promote building codes and standards that safeguard the public health and safety; advise on legislative matters; assist in the development of national and state codes; provide educational opportunities for its members; and preserve local government control of code administration.

WABO Membership Application


Factory Assembled Structures (FAS) Program

Michael Luke - Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

L & I frequently receives inquiries regarding the rules and requirements for "tiny house(s)." An informative website page has been developed to help assist jurisdictions.

Tiny house(s) resource page
Tiny House Presentation