State Building Code Council members debate timing for Wildland-Urban Interface code as DNR mapping lags; designate representative for hearings

Dustin, a staff member for the State Building Code Council, told the committee that House Bill 1254 (HB 1254), which would implement the International Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code in Washington, is slated for discussion but that the statewide wildfire-hazard maps from the Department of Natural Resources are delayed and have no firm completion date.

The issue matters, the committee heard, because the WUI code’s technical provisions will take effect “upon the completion of the statewide hazard map,” and members said adopting the code before maps are available could produce mismatches between maps and requirements for many jurisdictions. Dustin said he intends to convene a WUI code technical advisory group (a “tag”) and to work toward a 2024 WUI code that can be reconciled with the mapping once it is available.

Committee members emphasized two competing priorities: get some WUI standards in place now to respond to increasing wildfire risk, or wait for maps to avoid wide unanticipated application. Angela (identified in the transcript as a WAVO representative) told the council she and others prefer moving the WUI code forward in the 2024 cycle and noted…