Building Code Council weighs higher EV-charging requirements, staff to draft clearer language

The Building Code Council on July 28 discussed multiple public comments asking the council to increase electric-vehicle infrastructure requirements for new construction and directed staff to draft proposed language for the council’s final meeting.

Staff summarized public petitions that would raise group R EV-ready spaces from the 10% baseline to 15% and increase EV-capable spaces in group‑R occupancies from 40% to as high as 75. "The general ask for this one is to move the group R EV-ready space percentage from 10% to 15% and the EV-capable percentage from 40% to 75%," Staff member said, citing a public commenter’s filing. Department-level commenters including the Washington Department of Commerce recommended strengthening the capable-space percentage to about 70%; trade groups urged measures that stage future expansion to limit upfront costs.

Council members repeatedly noted the tag and BFRW committee previously aligned the code-change table with projections from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council — a modeling choice that produced a 60% total planning target on a 20‑year horizon (10% + 10% + 40%). Several members urged caution because raising upfront EV-ready or EVSE requirements shifts installation costs onto builders and, ultimately, homebuyers.

Rather than making a final motion, the council marked the EV-related public comments as received and asked staff to prepare draft CR text and a rationale that explains the modeling basis so the proposed changes can be posted in advance of the final adoption meeting. Council members signaled they may pursue amendments at the full council meeting if they wish to press for higher percentages.