Governor calls for building-code flexibility and tax rebates to speed rebuilding

Governor Bob Ferguson outlined three state actions intended to reduce costs for homeowners who choose to rebuild in place after the wildfires.

First, he said he will "strongly urge the Washington State Building Code Council to use its emergency rulemaking authority" to allow targeted flexibility so homeowners can rebuild to an earlier energy code—specifically, allowing homes built before 2015 to rebuild to 2015 energy standards and homes built after 2015 to rebuild to the code in force when the original home was built.

Second, Ferguson said he will propose legislation in the upcoming legislative session to provide sales and use tax rebates for homeowners who rebuild at the same location after a declared disaster; he gave a rough example that rebuilding a $400,000 home could yield "more than $36,000 back" in such a rebate. Third, he said he amended his emergency proclamation and will sign it after the press conference, with details to appear in the accompanying press release.

Ferguson framed the measures as aimed at making rebuilding more affordable and said the state will continue taking additional steps while pursuing federal assistance.