Spokane Wildfire Rebuilds Get Temporary Energy-Code Relief

A state Building Code Council decision gives Spokane wildfire survivors more flexibility as they replace homes destroyed in the Spokane Complex fires. The council acted in late October, allowing owners to use either the 2015 energy-code standards or the credit approach adopted in 2018. Homes constructed before 2015 may use the older standards, while newer homes must follow newer requirements.

The policy affects nearly 700 property owners who lost homes in the three major fires, including Doug and Dan Wordell on north Spokane’s Conestoga Avenue. Dan, older by 12 minutes, has already poured footers across the street from Doug’s rebuilding site. Doug’s replacement-home plans are about 60% finished, and he expects the added flexibility to provide some savings while making the process clearer.

Spokane has more than 300 demolition permits underway; 215 have been issued and 81 are complete. Nearly 60 owners have begun rebuilding-permit applications, with 37 permits issued. The emergency rule lasts 120 days unless wildfire-related changes are included in the 2024 code due by December. State Rep. Suzanne Schmidt said additional work remains, while critics raised concerns about energy goals and higher costs later.