Earthquake Safety in Seattle, WA (2026)
4 verified earthquake safety rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Soft-Story Retrofit
Seattle adopted the 2021 Existing Building Code recognizing URM retrofits on November 15, 2024. The city has identified over 1,100 collapse-hazard unreinforced masonry buildings housing or employing over 22,000 people. Compliance is currently voluntary but mandatory retrofits are planned once supportive resources are established. Two retrofit pathways exist: code-based and the Alternate Method similar to California's Bolts+ approach.
Seattle Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Retrofit Program
Heavy RestrictionsSDCI — Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (2021 Seattle Existing Building Code, adopted fall 2024)
Unreinforced Masonry Buildings — What's Happening Now? The City has adopted code to recognize URM retrofits. The code was adopted in fall 2024 as part of the 2021 Seattle Existing Building Code (SEBC). The code recognition of URM retrofits supports voluntary earthquake retrofits for URM building owners seeking to have their building recognized in the City's URM database as retrofitted. [...] Re...
Foundation Anchoring
Seattle's building code requires proper foundation anchoring for new construction and encourages seismic bolting for existing homes. The Seattle Building Code follows International Building Code standards for anchor bolt sizing and placement. Retrofit foundation bolting is a common seismic upgrade for older Seattle homes built before modern code requirements.
Seattle Foundation Anchoring and Seismic Bolting Requirements
Some RestrictionsUnreinforced Masonry
Seattle has identified over 1,100 unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings that pose earthquake collapse hazards. SDCI maintains a public database of all known URM buildings. The 2021 Existing Building Code adopted in November 2024 establishes minimum retrofit standards. The city is developing financial support programs including FEMA grants and transfer of development rights to help fund mandatory retrofits.
Seattle Unreinforced Masonry Building Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsSDCI — Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (2021 Seattle Existing Building Code)
Unreinforced Masonry Buildings — What's Happening Now? The City has adopted code to recognize URM retrofits. The code was adopted in fall 2024 as part of the 2021 Seattle Existing Building Code (SEBC). The code recognition of URM retrofits supports voluntary earthquake retrofits for URM building owners seeking to have their building recognized in the City's URM database as retrofitted. [...] Re...
Seismic Gas Shutoff
Washington state requires seismic gas shutoff valves for buildings where a building permit was first issued on or after January 26, 1995. Valves must be installed downstream of the gas utility meter and comply with ANSI Z21.93 standards. The valve automatically closes the gas supply when it detects significant seismic activity (5.2 magnitude or greater).
Seattle Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve Requirements
Some RestrictionsWashington State Building Code Council, Proposed Amendment to 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) Section 409.3.4 (Log No. 24-GP1-033, September 2024)
2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) 409.3.4 — Seismic Gas Shutoff Valves: An approved seismic gas shutoff valve shall be installed downstream of the gas utility meter on each fuel gas piping where the gas serves the following buildings or structures: Group A, B, E, F-1, F2, H1-5, I1-4, M, R1-2, S, And U, (excluding Group R3) Section 301-312 classified in the IBC Chapter 3. When: A building ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Earthquake Safety in King County →