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We did it! Thank you to the people who sent in written testimony or spoke at the hearings to voice their concerns and expertise! The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) voted today, Friday, October 30, 2026, to approve new exception language providing potential energy-code flexibility for qualifying disaster-related repairs and reconstruction. The decision gives local jurisdictions two possible approaches intended to help reduce rebuilding burdens for eligible property owners. Keep reading! What the Council Approved Under the approved exception, a local jurisdiction may use either of the following approaches for qualifying repairs or reconstruction: OPTION 1 | ENERGY-CREDIT RELIEF:…
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Watch the full Fire Recovery Forum As a follow-up to SHBA’s recent Fire Recovery Forum, we have pulled together a few key takeaways from each of the two panel discussions for members who may not have been able to attend or watch the full event. The conversations covered important topics including permitting, cleanup, rebuilding challenges, insurance, and the practical steps ahead for homeowners and contractors. We have highlighted the most relevant points below and included links to view the full recording. Panel 1 – Building, Planning & Government Officials 1. Recovery will require coordination beyond simply speeding up building permits.…
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Wildfires have caused widespread damage across the Spokane area, affecting homes and businesses throughout our community. In response, the Spokane Home Builders Association is sharing this checklist to help residents clean up safely and begin the rebuilding process with confidence. Contact Your Insurance Company. The first step is to review your homeowners insurance policy and contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report your damages. To support your claim, take photos of all damages and have copies of any related receipts to show the claims agent or adjuster. Stay Safe During Damage Assessments. After the disaster, don’t let…
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Find A Contractor Today! There are thousands of legitimate, ethical contractors in business throughout Spokane. Unfortunately, there are also scam artists looking to cheat you out of your money who pose as legitimate contractors. These “fly-by-night” operators often show up in communities impacted by wildfires to try to scam distressed homeowners into paying for shoddy repairs or work that they will never show up to perform. Here are some warning signs to look out for: Doesn’t have a license or insurance. All professional contractors in Washington need to be licensed and insured. Contractors should be able to show their certificate…
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