Jay Arnold, Kirkland City Councilmember

06/10/2026

I represent Western Washington cities on the State Building Code Council. The SBCC sets building standards statewide.

The SBCC adopts building codes on a three-year cycle and we have reached an important milestone, releasing the latest building codes for public comment. Of interest are work on housing affordability and climate.

Public hearings will be held on June 10th and June 12th for live or remote testimony, or comments can be sent to [email protected]. Details are at https://sbcc.wa.gov

Public comment on the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Fire Code (IFC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) is open through June 12th. Public comment on the Washington State Energy Codes, Commercial (WSEC-C) and Residential (WSEC-R) will open on July 1st through August 7th.

In addition to changes based on the 2024 version of international codes and those recommended by technical advisory groups, I wanted to highlight some potential changes.

To help with housing affordability:

- Standards to build multiplex housing up to 6 units under the International Residential Code instead of the more involved International Building Code (see IRC Appendix WD, p. 100)

- Standards for building six story multifamily housing with a single stair exit (see IBC Appendix T, p. 104)

Important proposals on climate:

- Changes to standards for electric vehicle charging, increasing number of EV-capable spaces (see IBC, p. 18-19)

- Optional appendix to building code that individual jurisdictions can choose to adopt setting standards to measure and reduce the embodied carbon impact of building materials over the course of a building's life (see IBC Appendix S, p. 102).

After considering public comment, SBCC will take final action later this year. Updated codes will become effective May 3rd, 2027.

The SBCC has filed CR-102 for the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code. The public comment period for these codes is now open May 6, 2026, and will close June 12, 2026, after conclusion of th...

04/30/2026

The Kraken is partnering with the city to build an Iceplex and Community Center in Kirkland, opening in 2027! . See the full press conference at

The City of Kirkland and Seattle Kraken are partnering to build a new iceplex and community center.

02/24/2026

Kirkland, with other Eastside cities, has been active in seeking changes to SB 6026, which would limit the ability for cities to require ground floor retail space. Many of our favorite neighborhood places and local small businesses--including the coffee shop I'm working in right now--wouldn't exist if not required.

The bill has passed the State Senate and is being heard in the House. See details at https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6026&Year=2025&Initiative=false

We can (and must!) have an approach that both builds housing and creates vibrant, walkable neighborhoods.

11/03/2025

Wednesday's Council Meeting has a public hearing on the City's Capital Improvement Program, which includes projects big and small for parks, transportation, facilities, water, sewer and stormwater.

An example is our work on Goat Hill, which widened the road, built retaining walls, made it safer, and improved stormwater handling. It was great to celebrate the completion of this project with neighbors!

10/31/2025

The Secretary of State is recommending that voters use drop boxes because of changes in how and when the Post Office is postmarking ballots. See https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/officials-urge-wa-voters-to-use-drop-boxes-for-nov-4-election/

Ballot Drop Boxes are available at Kirkland City Hall and the Kingsgate Library. Votes need to be returned by 8:PM on Tuesday, November 4th.

Some Washington counties noticed during the August primary that ballots weren’t always postmarked the same day carriers picked them up.

10/27/2025

County Executive Shannon Braddock convened elected officials on Friday for the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C).

Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon discussed refinements of the Climate Commitment Act and uses of funds generated. Puget Sound Energy discussed exciting new renewable energy and battery storage projects coming online before federal tax incentives expire, but challenges with upgrading transmission lines and meeting growing demand from electrification and data centers with future clean energy.

This will inform K4C's upcoming legislative advocacy. The solutions are complex but Washington State is leading in our climate work at the state, region, and in our cities.

10/25/2025

Kirkland Fire Station 21 has its re-opening today! The cozy station in Forbes creek has improvements to protect our firefighters / EMTs that protect us. The station includes seismic upgrades, separation and decontamination between living spaces and engine bays, and quieter sleeping quarters.

This completes the work of Fire Proposition 1 passed by voters in 2020!

10/23/2025

Big improvements are happening at the airport in preparation for the FIFA World Cup and to handle growing air traffic. (You might have seen plans about a new terminal: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/sea-tac-airport-moves-closer-to-a-new-terminal/)

I had a chance to tour completed improvements and review plans that the Port of Seattle is planning for the airport:
- North terminal and international arrivals improvements are complete
- Renovated Concourse C (scheduled to complete by June) will include new shops and restaurants and an observation deck
- Planned new terminal will add gates, avoiding the situation today where some flights are bussed to tarmac and take stairs onto their plane
- Additional vehicle lanes to deal with peak traffic to terminal arrivals and departures
- Better connections between light rail station and airport

These are funded by air travel, not taxpayer funds.

10/23/2025

Update on Highlands Water from this week's Council meeting: while any potential systemic fixes are 14 months to 2 years out, we recognize we need to solve individual customers problems with water pressure. While 9 homes are pursuing individual solutions with city support, we've heard concerns about the program and are adjusting.

Council directed staff to 1) remove barriers from financial assistance program including revisiting the waiver language, 2) expand the program to meet needs for the two home-based businesses and homes with fire sprinkler systems, and 3) allow applications through the end of 2026. (This will allow folks to respond if they see issues during summer peak demand.)

Council will also look at options for systemic changes as part of budget and capital improvement program updates this year.

10/18/2025

Fulfilling the commitments of Fire Proposition 1 passed by voters in 2020, Kirkland Fire Station 26 had its grand opening today. The remodeled station protects our firefighters with seismic upgrades, separation between work areas and living areas of the station, and quieter sleeping quarters.

Separately, the Council funded new training structures for live fire training. The Hooverville plaque brought a tear to my eye.