Issaquah, WA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Chapter 16.40 of the Issaquah Municipal Code states in 16.40.010 that its intent is to regulate construction practices to reflect a broader community vision of conserving energy, water and other natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling construction materials, reducing solid waste and improving indoor air quality. The chapter provides mandatory requirements. Its definitions and scope sections (16.40.020 and 16.40.030) are reserved, and the heat island mitigation section (16.40.040) was repealed by Ord. 2936, so the operative rules are 16.40.050 and 16.40.060.

Section 16.40.060 covers diversion of materials from landfills, with the stated purpose of increasing reuse and recycling of construction and building removal materials. Emergency work or disaster response, and removal of buildings or structures the Building Official determines are hazardous or dangerous, are exempt. Small projects are new single-family home building permits (additions and remodels under 1,000 square feet are exempt), demolition permits for buildings or portions of buildings under 2,500 square feet, and tenant improvement permits under 5,000 square feet. A small project must keep at least two construction and demolition (C&D) bins on site at all times: one for commingled recyclables, sent to a third party certified C&D recycling facility, and one for landfill-bound waste.

Large projects are all projects not defined as small. They also keep two C&D bins on site at all times, or more bins for source separated recycling, and must divert to recycling a minimum of 50 percent of construction and demolition materials removed from the site. A waste diversion plan is due before permit issuance, stating the approximate weight of material to be removed, the hauler and the receiving facility for each commodity. Demolition permits add a completed building removal hierarchy checklist, any pertinent Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act inspection documentation and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency permit numbers as necessary. A waste diversion report with tipping floor receipts is due before permit finalization or a certificate of occupancy.

Section 16.40.050 amends the Uniform Plumbing Code: shower outlets operating simultaneously cannot exceed 2.0 gpm in dwelling unit and guestroom shower compartments, and lavatory faucets must be self-closing, with hand operated metering faucets staying open 10 seconds minimum.