Building Safety in Shoreline, WA (2026)
7 verified building safety rules for Shoreline, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Every new one- and two-family dwelling built in Shoreline must include an automatic residential fire sprinkler system under SMC § 15.05.040(D), which adopts and amends International Residential Code Section R313.2, though additions to older homes that never had sprinklers are excused unless the fire code's separate fire-flow rules trigger the requirement anyway.
Shoreline Requires Fire Sprinklers in New Homes
Heavy RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 15.05.040(D)
D. Section R313.2 is adopted and amended as follows: R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings. Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residenti...
Childcare Center Rules
In the City of Shoreline, larger childcare centers (Daycare II) require an approved conditional use permit in the NR3 and NR2 zones under Shoreline Municipal Code § 20.40.320(B). Outdoor play areas must be enclosed by a fence at least six feet high, and outdoor play equipment must sit at least 20 feet from any property line adjoining a residential zone.
Shoreline childcare center fencing and setback rules
Significant RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.40.320(B)
B. Daycare II facilities are permitted in the NR3 and NR2 zoning designations through an approved conditional use permit. Daycare II facilities are permitted as an accessory use in an existing house of worship or school facility in the NR3 and NR2 zones, provided: 1. Outdoor play areas shall be completely enclosed, with no openings except for gates, and have a minimum height of six feet. 2. Out...
Green Building Code
Shoreline has no mandatory green building code; instead SMC § 20.50.630 creates the Deep Green Incentive Program (DGIP), a voluntary tiered system that waives fees and grants development-code departures for projects certified under Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum, Built Green, Passive House, or Salmon Safe programs.
Shoreline Deep Green Incentive Building Program
Few RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.630
§ 20.50.630. Deep Green Incentive Program (DGIP). A. Purpose. ... The purpose of this section is to establish an incentive program for Living and Deep Green Buildings in the City of Shoreline. ... ... D. Incentives. ... A project qualifying for the Shoreline Deep Green Incentive Program will be granted the following tiered incentive packages, based on the certification program for which they ar...
Building Permits
Shoreline requires a building permit for construction, alteration, or repair work under the International Building Code and International Residential Code the city adopted in SMC § 15.05.010, except for the narrow list of exempt work the city carved out in SMC § 15.05.030, including small platforms and driveways under 30 inches high, re-roofing without structural changes, and window replacement that keeps egress openings the same size.
Shoreline Building Permits: When One Is Required
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 15.05.030
§ 15.05.030. International Building Code amendments. A. Section 105.2, Work exempt from permit. ... ... 2. Section 105.2(6) is amended to read as follows: 6. Platforms, sidewalks and drive-ways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route. 3. Section 105.2(14) is added to read as follows: 14. Re-roofing of ex...
Electrical Permits
The City of Shoreline adopts the current National Electrical Code under Shoreline Municipal Code § 15.05.010(J), tying local electrical work to the state's Chapter 296-46B WAC rules and Chapter 19.28 RCW licensing law. Every electrical job needs a rough-in inspection and a final inspection under SMC § 15.05.060, and the wiring cannot be closed up or covered until the inspector making that inspection signs off.
Electrical Permit and NEC Rules in Shoreline
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code §§ 15.05.010(J), 15.05.060
J. The current edition of the National Electrical Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries in Chapter 296-46B WAC, as now or hereafter amended, and Chapter 19.28 RCW, as now or hereafter amended. ... ... § 15.05.060. National Electric Code – Required inspections. All work requires a rough-in and a final inspection, and no ...
Plumbing Permits
Shoreline adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as its plumbing code under SMC § 15.05.010(F), but carves out sewer and fuel gas piping provisions and adopts only five specific technical appendices, so plumbing permits and inspections in the city follow the UPC rather than the International Plumbing Code.
Shoreline Plumbing Permits: Uniform Plumbing Code
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 15.05.010(F)
F. Except as provided in RCW 19.27.170, the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC, as now or hereafter amended; provided, that any provisions of such code affecting sewers or fuel gas...
Building Inspections
In the City of Shoreline, a building permit is not finished until a final inspection is signed off: SMC § 15.05.040 amends the International Residential Code's Section R110.3 so that a dated, authorized signature entered on the permit card under the 'Final' inspection line is itself the certificate of occupancy the code requires. Work stays open to inspection at every stage until the building official closes it out.
Building Inspection Process in Shoreline
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 15.05.040 (IRC § R110.3)
R110.3 Certificate issued. An issued permit card affixed with a dated, authorized signature entered under the “Final” inspection shall constitute the certificate of occupancy required by this code.
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Shoreline city rules.
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