Washington adopts the International Building Code statewide through chapter 51-50 WAC, setting maximum heights and stories tied to construction type and occupancy classifications.
RCW 19.27 mandates uniform statewide adoption of the IBC and IRC by the State Building Code Council. Tables 504.3 and 504.4 of the IBC, as adopted in WAC 51-50, fix maximum building heights from 40 feet for Type V wood-frame to 160 feet for Type IA noncombustible structures, modifiable by sprinklering. Cities cannot weaken these life-safety limits but may impose stricter zoning heights.
Permit denial, stop-work orders, and code compliance penalties up to $500 per day under RCW 19.27.050.
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver prohibits leaving any vehicle parked on a public street for more than 24 consecutive hours. Officers attach a notification sticker; if the vehicle ...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Municipal Code Chapter 20.912 governs all fences, walls, and retaining walls citywide. Residential fences have tiered height limits by yard locat...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver has no dedicated local ordinance banning wildlife feeding. Washington state law prohibits feeding large wild carnivores and, since May 2025, feedin...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows hens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and similar domestic animals in all zoning districts for hobby use with no minimum lot size. Roosters, turkeys,...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver's Land Use and Development Code (VMC Chapter 20.925) encourages but does not universally mandate native plants. For development projects, native an...
Vancouver, WA
Vancouver allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 8-foot residential accessory-structure height standa...
See how Vancouver's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.