Seattle Energy Code
Overview

Draft 2012 Seattle Energy Code

This Draft Seattle Energy Code is still subject to administrative review. Content will be finalized in June and the 2012 Seattle construction codes are scheduled to become mandatory on October 13, 2013.

 

2012 Seattle Energy Code Development

Washington State has amended the 2012 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code).  With each new edition of the energy code, Seattle enacts additional rules to reduce the amount of energy consumed by non-residential buildings.  A limited set of new Seattle amendments will be proposed for the 2012 Seattle code, based on the 2012 IECC.

The 2012 Seattle Energy Code draft amendments are for commercial buildings.  (Single-family homes and multi-family buildings below four stories will not be impacted by the 2012 updates.) The draft amendments will be discussed in a series of January meetings. These meetings will typically be two and a half hours long.  Each one will focus on a limited set of topics, as outlined below.

All meetings will be held in Room 4050 of the Seattle Municipal Tower, from 2:00 to 4:30.

The current schedule calls for the 2012 Seattle Energy Code to become mandatory for permit applications filed after October 13, 2013. It will be an amended version of the new state energy code, which has changed a great deal from previous editions.

City of Seattle policies mandate significant short and long-term reductions in building energy use, far beyond what can be achieved with thicker insulation or better light bulbs. Opportunities for large-scale energy reductions exist in the design process, solar energy, commissioning, plug loads, building operations and major remodeling projects, and each of these is addressed in the proposed amendments. Several amendments facilitate more efficient operations of existing and newly-constructed buildings, while others provide additional design flexibility.

Materials for each meeting will be posted here the week prior to the meetin. Interested individuals may contact EnergyCode@Seattle.gov to be added to the Seattle Energy Code email list.


2009 Seattle Energy Code

Welcome to the City of Seattle's web site for the Energy Code. This site contains the entire text of the Energy Code in effect in Seattle: the 2009 Seattle Energy Code (2009 Washington State Energy Code plus Seattle amendments). This site also contains links to Client Assistance Memos, forms, and Directors Rules, as well as a search function for the Energy Code.

Energy Code
Energy Code requirements vary based on whether the space use is defined in Chapter 2 as single-family residential, multifamily residential, or nonresidential.

  • Chapters 1-10 of the Energy Code are referred to as the Single-Family Residential Energy Code and contain the requirements for all spaces within the scope of Section 101.2 of the Seattle Residential Code (such as single-family, duplexes, and certain attached townhouses).
  • Chapters 11-16 are referred to as the Nonresidential and Multifamily Residential Energy Code.
    - Multifamily residential is defined as all Group R occupancy spaces (such as dwelling units, hotel/motel guest rooms, dormitories) not included within the scope of Section 101.2 of the Seattle Residential Code and sleeping areas in Group I occupancy (such as assisted living facilities, nursing rooms, patient rooms in hospitals, prisons, and fire stations). 
    - Nonresidential includes all other spaces. 
    - Reference Standard (RS) 29 contains requirements that are only applicable to detailed computer analysis.

Single-Family Residential Energy Code

  • Chapter 1 - Administration and Enforcement
  • Chapter 2 - Definitions
  • Chapter 3 - Design Conditions
  • Chapter 4 - Building Design By Systems Analysis
  • Chapter 5 - Building Design by Component Performance Approach
  • Chapter 6 - Building Design by Prescriptive Requirements Approach
  • Chapter 7 - Standards
  • Chapter 8 - Suggested Software for Chapter 4 Systems Analysis Approach for Group R Occupancy
  • Chapter 9 - Prescriptive Heating System Sizing
  • Chapter 10 - Default Heat Loss Coefficients

Nonresidential and Multifamily Residential Energy Code

Reference Standard 29

  • RS 29 - Nonresidential Building Design by Systems Analysis

Client Assistance Memos
The Seattle Department of Planning and Development produces Client Assistant Memos (CAMs) to provide guidance to users on the intent of the Code and how to comply with its requirements.

Forms
As part of the permit application, the Seattle Department of Planning and Development requires that certain forms be submitted to document compliance calculations.

Director's Rules
Director's Rules (DRs) are technical interpretations of code requirements that have been issued by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. These Director's Rules apply to projects within the Seattle City limits.

 

Last Updated:

January 30, 2013