# RCW 19.27.042: RCW 19.27.042: Cities and counties—Emergency exemptions for housing for indigent persons—Rule making for temporary emergency shelter standards

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S042

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 19.27.042
- **Heading:** RCW 19.27.042: Cities and counties—Emergency exemptions for housing for indigent persons—Rule making for temporary emergency shelter standards
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 19 / Chapter 27 / Section 042

## Text

(1) Effective January 1, 1992, the legislative authorities of cities and counties may adopt an ordinance or resolution to exempt from state building code requirements buildings whose character of use or occupancy has been changed in order to provide housing for indigent persons. The ordinance or resolution allowing the exemption shall include the following conditions: (a) The exemption is limited to existing buildings located in this state; (b) Any code deficiencies to be exempted pose no threat to human life, health, or safety; (c) The building or buildings exempted under this section are owned or administered by a public agency or nonprofit corporation; and (d) The exemption is authorized for no more than five years on any given building. An exemption for a building may be renewed if the requirements of this section are met for each renewal. (2) By January 1, 1992, the state building code council shall adopt, by rule, guidelines for cities and counties exempting buildings under subsection (1) of this section. (3) By July 1, 2026, the state building code council shall adopt, by rule, standards for temporary emergency shelters and make them available for local adoption.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 19.27.010 RCW 19.27.010: Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S010.md)
- [RCW 19.27.015 RCW 19.27.015: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S015.md)
- [RCW 19.27.020 RCW 19.27.020: Purposes—Objectives—Standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S020.md)
- [RCW 19.27.031 RCW 19.27.031: State building code—Adoption—Conflicts—Opinions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S031.md)
- [RCW 19.27.032 RCW 19.27.032: Amendment—Timeline—Requirements—Public access.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S032.md)
- [RCW 19.27.033 RCW 19.27.033: Amendment—Technical advisory groups.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S033.md)
- [RCW 19.27.034 RCW 19.27.034: Amendment—Approval criteria.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S034.md)
- [RCW 19.27.035 RCW 19.27.035: Process for review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S035.md)
- [RCW 19.27.040 RCW 19.27.040: Cities and counties authorized to amend state building code—Limitations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S040.md)
- [RCW 19.27.042 RCW 19.27.042: Cities and counties—Emergency exemptions for housing for indigent persons—Rule making for temporary emergency shelter standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S042.md)
- [RCW 19.27.050 RCW 19.27.050: Enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S050.md)
- [RCW 19.27.060 RCW 19.27.060: Local building regulations superseded—Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S060.md)
- [RCW 19.27.065 RCW 19.27.065: Exemption—Temporary growing structures used for production of horticultural plants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S065.md)
- [RCW 19.27.067 RCW 19.27.067: Temporary worker housing—Exemption—Standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S067.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T19_C27_S042. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.