State v. San Juan County

San Juan County appeals from a summary *313judgment granted in favor of the State of Washington. The issue is whether the County may exempt "owner-built residences" from most of the requirements of the State Building Code. The trial court held that the exemption was contrary to the purposes of the Code, and declared the San Juan County ordinance void. The Court of Appeals certified the case to this court. We reverse.

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In 1974, the Legislature passed the State Building Code Act, codified at RCW 19.27. The Code adopted by reference several nationally recognized uniform codes, including the Uniform…