HB 1254 awaits a House floor vote after being passed out of its policy committee in an amended form that provides more support for local jurisdictions that have completed wild-fire hazard maps and more options for the State Building Code Council (SBCC).

Here’s how the bill stands:

• Upon completion of a statewide wildfire hazard map and base-level wildfire risk map for each county, the SBCC must adopt the International Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Code in its entirety, or in portions, by November 1, 2029.
• Allows the SBCC to adopt an optional WUI code for local jurisdictions that have adopted their own wildfire hazard maps and base-level wildfire risk maps to use until the statewide maps are completed.
• Requires the SBCC to consult with relevant entities when developing defensible space requirements to ensure alignment with other state land use requirements.
• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to coordinate with regional fire defense boards prior to final approval of the statewide maps.
• Allows counties and cities to adopt local amendments to WUI Code with the approval of a local fire marshal. Any changes that affect single-family or multifamily residential buildings must first be approved by the SBCC.

WUI reforms redux

January 20, 2025

Here is yet another bill that proposes to undue the law recently passed—in this case, it’s the Wildland Urban Interface statute reforms passed last session.

HB 1254, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell), reinstitutes use of the full Wildland Urban Interface Code, not just portions of it. AWC supported the reforms that were passed last year.

For the backstory, here’s last years’ coverage.

Date to remember

HB 1254 will be heard in the House Local Government Committee on Wednesday, January 21 at 8 am.