Seattle Energy Code
2009 Seattle Energy Code
The 2009 Seattle Energy Code (Ordinance 123430) has been approved.  The following documents are available for download:
 
2009 Seattle Energy Code, 2 MB 
 
2009 Seattle Energy Code summary, 3 MB
 
DPD is selling hard copies of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code at the Applicant Services Center on the 20th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Avenue, Seattle.
 
An electronic version of the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) can be viewed at the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC) website: www.ga.wa.gov/sbcc. 
 
Compliance Forms and Handouts
 

The following compliance forms and handouts have been updated and are now available on the Seattle Energy Code website and at DPD: 

Single-Family Residential Compliance Forms: 

  • Handout on New and Replacement Heating Equipment: Single-Family Residential Requirements in the 2009 Energy Code:  Provides an overview of key requirements for (1) minimum heating equipment efficiency, (2) heating equipment sizing, (3) duct testing for air leakage, (4) permanent Energy Code certificate, and (5) other associated components.
  • Heating Equipment Sizing Form (Single-Family and Multifamily Residential):  Provides a simple form for calculating loads to size heating equipment. This form is tailored to the Seattle winter design temperature of 24 F (the 46 degree temperature difference used equals 70 F inside minus 24 F outside).
  • Single-Family Residential Target UA Form:  Provides an alternate compliance option for projects which do not comply with the prescriptive requirements.
  • Single-Family Residential Lighting Form:  Provides a calculation of what percentage of the luminaires (light fixtures) are high-efficacy.
  • Single-Family Residential Certificate for Posting Energy Code Information at Building Site:  Provides a blank master for Energy Code information to be posted at the building site.

Nonresidential and Multifamily Residential Compliance Forms: 

  • Building Envelop Forms (Target UA/SHGCA/VTA, etc.):  Seattle version of Washington State form that provides an alternate compliance option for projects which do not comply with the prescriptive requirements.
  • Mechanical Form (Equipment schedule, etc.):   Seattle version of Washington State form.  
  • Lighting Forms (Interior & Exterior Lighting Power Allowance, etc.):  Seattle version of Washington State form that provides method to document compliance.
 
Client Assistance Memos
 

The following Client Assistance Memos (CAM) have been updated and are now available on the Seattle Energy Code website and at DPD: 

  • CAM 303, Applicant Responsibilities and Plan Requirements for Single-Family and Two-Unit Dwellings:  Provides updated information on glazing and opaque door information needed on drawings; revisions to Figure 4 Structural Section and Figure 7 Sample Glazing and Opaque Door Schedule.
  • CAM 303A, Common Seattle Residential Code Requirements for Single-Family and Two-Unit Dwellings:  Provides updated information on glazing and opaque door information needed on drawings; adds mention of new building air leakage testing requirements and additional single-family residential energy efficiency requirements; includes current versions of Tables 5-1, 6-1, and 9-1.
  • CAM 322, Spray-Applied Foam Insulation:  Includes discussion of new exception allowing unvented rafter spaces for qualifying insulation materials and construction assemblies.
  • CAM 403, NFRC Fenestration U-factors, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), and Visible Transmittance (VT):  Provides updated information on fenestration and opaque door information needed on drawings; includes discussion of new NFRC Component Modeling Approach (CMA) and the NFRC CMA Label Certificate.
 
Updates to Website and DRs
 
DPD is in the process of updating the Seattle Energy Code website and Directors Rules. 
 

Energy-Related Directors Rules: 

  • DR 11-2011, Alternate Means of Compliance to Energy Code Requirements for On-Site Renewable Energy Systems, took effect on 14 July 2011. Consequently, all building permit applications submitted on 14 July 2011 or later must comply with Chapter 16 of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code.
 
Training
 

DPD will schedule general public training sessions after the updated materials are available.  In the meanwhile, the following presentations have been given:

  • 14 December 2010:  Master Builders of Snohomish and King Counties, "2009 Seattle and Washington State Energy Codes".
  • 15 December 2010:  Electric League of the Pacific Northwest, "2009 Seattle Energy Code:  Lighting and Metering".
  • 10 February 2011:  Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Puget Sound Chapter, "2009 Seattle and Washington State Energy Codes".
  • 28 February 2011:  Seattle Energy Design Roundtable (SEDR), "2009 Seattle Energy Code:  Using the RS-29 Annual Energy Compliance Option".
  • 2 March 2011:  American Institute of Architects (AIA), Seattle Chapter, Small Office Roundtable, "2009 Seattle and Washington State Energy Codes".
 
Effective Dates for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code
 
For nonresidential spaces, the grace period for using the 2006 Seattle Energy Code ended to coincide with the end of the grace period for other Seattle code updates.  The last date on which DPD accepted applications using the 2006 Seattle codes was 22 November 2010. Nonresidential spaces in permit applications submitted on 23 November 2010 and later are subject to the 2009 Seattle Energy Code. 
 
For residential spaces, the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) requirements took effect on 1 January 2011, as decided by the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC) at their meeting on 15 October 2010.  The last date on which DPD accepted applications for residential spaces using the 2006 WSEC code was 31 December 2010. Residential spaces in permit applications submitted on 1 January 2011 and later are subject to the 2009 Washington State Energy Code. 
 
Chapter 16:  As noted above under Director's Rules, DR 11-2011, Alternate Means of Compliance to Energy Code Requirements for On-Site Renewable Energy Systems, took effect on 14 July 2011. Consequently, all building permit applications submitted on 14 July 2011 or later must comply with Chapter 16 of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code.
 
Chapter 12:  On 12 July 2011, the Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC) voted to “suspend the energy metering requirements in Chapter 12 of the Washington State Energy Code while reviewing the requirements and looking at the economic aspects of metering.”  (For more information, see the WSBCC website.)
     For projects within the City of Seattle:
- DPD suspended enforcement of Chapter 12 for residential spaces effective 12 July 2011.
- After a briefing and discussion with DPD staff, Mayor Mike McGinn directed DPD to continue enforcement of Chapter 12 of the Seattle Energy Code for new nonresidential construction projects, and to suspend enforcement of its provisions for construction projects in existing buildings until further notice.
(For more information and background, please see SEC Chapter 12 Decision Memo 8-12-2011.pdf .)
 
 
Background, Code Development, and Adoption of the 2009 Seattle Energy Code
 
While the first comprehensive Seattle Energy Code took effect in February 1980, Seattle has had residential insulation requirements since 1974 and the first furnace sizing and duct insulation requirements took effect in 1927.  Seattle has regularly updated its Energy Code to incorporate changes in technology and to improve implementation. Resolution 30280 also provides direction for Seattle Energy Code updates. 
 
Washington State updates its codes on a three-year cycle, following publication of new versions of the model codes by the International Code Council (ICC). The Washington State Building Code Council (WSBCC) adopted the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) on 20 November 2009 and at that time specified an effective date of 1 July 2010. Consequently, soon after adoption of the 2009 WSEC, Seattle began the process to update the Seattle Energy Code. Through a six-month public review process earlier this year, recommendations were refined and then endorsed by DPD’s Construction Code Advisory Board. The energy savings estimate for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code for one building type is slightly less than 20% compared to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, the latest published version of the national energy standard for all buildings except low-rise residential buildings.
 
Goals for the Seattle Energy Code for this Update Cycle
 
For this update cycle, Seattle amendments to the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) are proposed:
  • to achieve the energy savings specified in Resolution 30280,
  • to incorporate addenda for the 2010 version of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1,
  • to incorporate ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA Standard 189.1, and
  • to improve implementation of existing amendments.
Resolution 30280 (Section 1.B.i) directs DPD and Seattle City Light to “propose to the City Council…amendments to the Seattle Energy Code…to achieve up to 20% enhanced energy efficiency beyond the current version of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1”. The 2006 Seattle Energy Code achieved approximately 20% energy savings compared to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004. However, since that time, ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 has been published and it contains significant energy efficiency improvements. In addition, over 100 addenda have been proposed for incorporation into the 2010 version of Standard 90.1, nationally-vetted ideas for our consideration. In December 2009, ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA Standard 189.1, High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, was published, providing criteria for all aspects of green buildings.
                                          
Public Review Process
 
Beginning in January 2010, DPD distributed draft proposals for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code (2009 WSEC with Seattle amendments). During the February to July 2010 time period, DPD held 15 public meetings to review proposals:
  • 8 February 2010: envelope (13, 10, 11) & on-site renewable energy systems (16)
  • 9 February 2010: lighting (15, 11) & metering (12)
  • 11 February 2010: mechanical (14)
  • 16 February 2010: envelope (13, 10, 11) & on-site renewable energy systems (16)
  • 18 February 2010: mechanical (14)
  • 22 February 2010: building envelope air leakage
  • 23 February 2010: lighting (15, 11) & metering (12)
  • 25 February 2010: RS-29 & initial wrap-up (includes building envelope,  mechanical, lighting, metering, and on-site renewable energy)
  • 1 March 2010: original written comment deadline
  • 2 March 2010: review of initial written comments
  • 29 March 2010: revised deadline for written comments
  • 15 April 2010: overview of revised draft & lighting (15, 11) 
  • 19 April 2010: envelope (13, 10, 11, 2), mechanical (14), on-site renewable energy systems (16) & metering (12)
  • 27 April 2010: RS-29, Appendix A/B, & carryover
  • 27 April 2010: written comment deadline for revised draft
  • 28 April 2010: review of written comments on revised draft
  • 6 May 2010: CCAB review and discussion of staff recommendations and of written public comments on staff recommendations, two major issues identified,
          CCAB members make recommendations for a number of minor changes
          (City staff prepare revised draft responding to comments on minor issues)
  • 20 May 2010: CCAB recommends two modifications to the staff recommendations for two major issues and then votes unanimous endorsement
          (City staff accept recommended modifications, with some editorial changes)
  • 21 June 2010: review of proposal for draft amendments to 2006 SEC
  • 5 July 2010: written comment deadline for proposal for draft amendments to 2006 SEC
  • 6 July 2010: review of written comments on proposal for draft amendments to 2006 SEC.
  • 15 July 2010: CCAB review and discussion of staff recommendations and of written public comments on staff recommendations, CCAB recommends one minor change 
                CCAB supports moving ahead with an updated Seattle Energy Code with amendments to the 2009 WSEC (as opposed to further amendments to the 2006 Code)      
                CCAB then votes unanimous endorsement of the revised staff recommendations for the 2009 Seattle Energy Code
                (City staff accept editorial change)

In addition, presentations were made to professional organizations:

  • 11 February 2010 – AACE Seattle (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering)
  • 17 February 2010 – AIA Seattle Chapter (American Institute of Architects)
  • 22 February 2010 – NAIOP (National Association of Office and Industrial Parks)
  • 22 April 2010 – Seattle Chamber of Commerce 
  • 26 April 2010 – ASHRAE Puget Sound Chapter (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
  • 17 June 2010 – Electric League of the Pacific Northwest
  • 17 June 2010 – Seattle Building Envelope Enclosure Council
DPD staff made a number of revisions in response to issues raised. The most significant changes were to not include requirements for window orientation and external shading in the prescriptive compliance option, to not require that all buildings demonstrate a certain level of airtightness through testing, and to reduce the amount of nonrenewable energy to be supplied onsite. Additional modifications were made to other sections based on comments received and were included in the version reviewed by CCAB. CCAB recommended two key revisions: the development of an updated version of the EnvStd building envelope trade-off software; and an allowance for less energy-efficient operable windows provided that the windows were interlocked with the cooling system and had a high visible-light transmittance for daylighting. CCAB unanimously endorsed the DPD recommendations with these two revisions at their meeting on 20 May 2010.
 
When the WSBCC decided on 11 June 2010 to delay the initial implementation date for the 2009 WSEC, Seattle DPD considered the option of bringing forward a 2009 Seattle Energy Code that was based on amendments to the 2006 Seattle Energy Code (rather than amendments to the 2009 WSEC). However, public comment recommended that Seattle continue on its previous path with a 2009 Seattle Energy Code that was based on amendments to the 2009 WSEC. CCAB unanimously endorsed the DPD recommendations at their meeting on 15 July 2010.
 
Mayor and City Council Review and Approval
 
In late August 2010, the Mayor forwarded the 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance package to the Seattle City Council. The Seattle City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment discussed the 2009 Seattle Energy Code ordinance at their meetings on 29 September and 12 October 2010 and recommended approval.  The full Seattle City Council then considered and approved the 2009 Seattle Energy Code (Council Bill 116967) on 18 October 2010.  The Mayor signed the legislation (Ordinance 123430) on 22 October 2010.
 
DPD expresses its gratitude for everyone who participated in this process. Their efforts will result in a Seattle Energy Code that is more workable for all.
 

 

 

 

Last Updated:

November 2, 2011