Earthquake Safety in Washington (2026)

3 rules on the books across Washington, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Soft-Story Retrofit

Mandatory retrofit requirements for multi-story buildings with weak first floors, including compliance deadlines, engineering standards, and cost responsibilities.

Seattle

Heavy Restrictions

Seattle adopted the 2021 Existing Building Code recognizing URM retrofits on November 15, 2024. The city has identified…

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Unreinforced Masonry

Retrofit requirements for older brick and masonry buildings that are vulnerable to earthquake damage, including compliance timelines and strengthening standards.

Seattle

Heavy Restrictions

Seattle has identified over 1,100 unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings that pose earthquake collapse hazards. SDCI…

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Seismic Gas Shutoff

Requirements for automatic earthquake gas shutoff valves on residential and commercial properties to prevent post-earthquake fires.

Seattle

Some Restrictions

Washington state requires seismic gas shutoff valves for buildings where a building permit was first issued on or after…

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