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Building Safety

Everett's Building Safety: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles building safety a little differently. In Everett, Washington, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Elevator Maintenance

Everett requires buildings with passenger elevators to keep at least one elevator running whenever the building is occupied, under the city's amendment to the International Property Maintenance Code.

Key details: Minimum operating elevators: At least one, when occupied. Single-elevator exception: Temporary outage for service/testing. Governing section: EMC 16.09.010(P) (IPMC 606.2). Enforced by: Everett Building Official.

Failing to keep a required elevator in operation is a property maintenance code violation, enforced by the Building Official under Everett's civil code enforcement procedures in EMC Chapter 1.20.

Green Building Code

Everett requires LEED silver certification for new city-owned buildings over 5,000 square feet, while only encouraging, not mandating, green building practices in private development citywide.

Key details: LEED requirement: Silver, new city buildings >5,000 sq ft. Private development: Encouraged only, not mandatory. Governing section: EMC 16.13.030. Applies to: City-owned capital projects.

This chapter binds city departments on municipal capital projects, not private builders; there is no penalty provision because private-sector compliance is voluntary and merely encouraged.

The rules around green building code in Everett lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Electrical Permits

Everett requires a separate electrical permit from the Building Official before any electrical work is installed, altered, replaced or extended, with narrow exceptions for like-kind replacements and emergency repairs. Article 80 of the city's National Electrical Code amendments, EMC 16.05.010, spells out the permit process, inspections and a misdemeanor penalty for violations.

Key details: Permit required: Before any electrical install, alteration, replacement or extension. Issuing authority: Building Official, EMC 16.05.010, Article 80-11(a). Exceptions: Like-kind replacement; emergency repairs under IBC § 105.2.1. Who may hold permit: Anyone qualified under Chapter 19.28 RCW, Article 80-11(c). Appeals: Board of Review, EMC Chapter 16.64, Article 80-9.

Working without the required electrical permit is a misdemeanor under EMC 16.005.040(A)(11): each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and a conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. The Building Official may also suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or obtained on incorrect information under Section 80-11(g).

Building Permits

Everett adopts the International Building Code and International Residential Code by reference, as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and the building division administers all permits under these codes.

Key details: Adopted codes: IBC & IRC by reference (WAC 51-50/51-51). Administered by: Building division under the building official. Enforcement: Civil infraction under EMC Chapter 1.20. Governing section: EMC 16.005.030 (amended 2022, 2024).

Working without a required permit, or violating the adopted building codes, is enforced as a civil infraction under EMC Chapter 1.20; the building official or a code enforcement officer may issue citations.

Plumbing Permits

Plumbing work in Everett requires a permit under the Uniform Plumbing Code, adopted by reference in EMC 16.005.030 and administered by the city's building division.

Key details: Adopted code: Uniform Plumbing Code (WAC 51-56/51-57). Excluded: Sewer and fuel gas piping provisions. Local amendment: Lead-free solder/flux rule, EMC 16.04.010. Enforcement: Civil infraction under EMC Chapter 1.20.

Unpermitted or noncompliant plumbing work is enforced as a civil infraction under EMC Chapter 1.20, the same enforcement track used for all codes adopted under EMC 16.005.030.

The Bottom Line

Everett's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Everett is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Everett's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.