Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed S.B. 5450 into law, directing the state’s building code council to adopt rules for the use of mass timber products on residential and commercial construction projects. The law allows state and local jurisdictions to include mass timber construction in building and zoning codes, though they must consider pending changes to the International Building Code regarding mass timber buildings up to 18 stories.
Washington lawmakers also are considering a first-of-its-kind bill (S.B. 5379) that would require cross-laminated timber to be used in public buildings up to 12 stories. The measure has yet to move out of committee.
