SBCC staff reports delays in 2024 code filings and committee discusses process changes for 2027

SBCC managing staff reported delays in completing draft reports for several codes in the 2024 cycle and outlined ideas to change the timing and structure of future cycles to allow more staff drafting time and broader public engagement.

Dustin told the committee staff experienced document recovery setbacks and remains ‘‘about four months behind’’ on draft work for UPC, IMC, residential and fire code reports and related energy-code deliverables. He said staff hopes to shift the CR-102 filing schedule by roughly two months to ensure materials are complete and available for meaningful public review. He also proposed exploring structural changes for the 2027 code cycle, such as aligning some drafting windows to when ICC (model-code) products are available, dedicating time for staff to produce proofs, and staging more focused public-engagement work to gather impact data.

Industry members and committee participants offered ideas to limit staff workload, including forming an external workgroup to convert custom Washington energy-code language into amendments against IECC so fewer sections would require rewrite during each cycle, and convening a stakeholder group to map a revised calendar and resources. Joe and Greg volunteered to assist in process rethinking and suggested visual project management tools (Gantt charts) to align staff work and external deliverables. Ken and Kjell asked staff to return a specific proposed calendar change for the next council meeting for formal action.

Staff did not set a new CR-102 filing date at the committee but said they expect to propose a two-month shift and to bring a detailed schedule to the full council for action; no changes were adopted at the meeting.