SCALE 2030

• Continue to strengthen Washington’s energy code requirements for both new construction and existing buildings to accelerate emissions reductions and align with the CBPS, and develop buildings that are efficient, comfortable, healthy for occupants, and a resource to the electric grid.
• For new buildings, this includes adopting net-zero energy- ready (NZE-ready) requirements in the 2030 energy code, consistent with Washington’s statutory mandate to reduce new building energy use 70% in the 2030 energy code.
• For existing buildings, updates should increase the stringency of requirements applied during permitted equipment replacements and major alterations, ensuring that retrofits contribute to statewide emissions and energy goals.

The energy code influences design and equipment decisions for all new construction and remodels of existing buildings, making it a highly impactful lever to make Washington’s building stock more efficient and lower emissions.  Almost every new building constructed in Washington will exist until 2100 or beyond, meaning that aligning now with emission and efficiency objectives will avoid costly retrofits later. Strengthened requirements for alterations and equipment replacements ensure that improvements in existing buildings occur every time major systems reach their end of life.

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More stringent codes may increase upfront construction or retrofit costs, making investments in market adaptation support essential. This should include training for smaller builders, contractor upskilling, coordination with the Market Transformation Unit at Commerce (see: Accelerated Market Transformation- Stand Up a Washington Clean Buildings Market Transformation Hub), and targeted subsidies for development serving overburdened communities. Evaluations should compare the incremental cost of code compliance against the operational savings and other benefits of increased efficiency and comfort in buildings to further understand impacts.

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2027:

• State Building Code Council (SBCC) begins development of the 2027 energy code, increasing incremental efficiency for both residential and commercial buildings as an additional step toward future performance goals.

2029:

• ‍SBCC finalizes and adopts the 2027 code. Commerce, utilities and WSU extension (?) develop market adaptation support for builders, contractors, and distributors to prepare for new code requirements.

2030

• SBCC begins scoping the 2030 energy code, integrating NZE-ready requirements for new construction.

2032:

• SBCC adopts the 2030 energy code with fully NZE-ready standards for new construction and stronger requirements for major alterations in existing buildings.

2033 and beyond:

• Implementation and enforcement of the 2030 code provide support including updating compliance documentation and training, and monitoring market impacts.