05/21/2026
May Advocacy Update: Final Classification Ruling from US Dept of Education, Public Comment Opportunity on WA State Building Code, and Mayor Wilson at Housing Design Forum
• US Dept of Education Excludes Architecture Degrees from Professional Classification: AIA issued a statement regarding the “Reimagining and Improving Student Education” (RISE) rule, excluding architecture degrees from professional classification under federal student loan limits. Despite significant advocacy from AIA and allied stakeholders, the Department of Education chose to make no changes to their originally proposed rule. AIA is now pursuing a legislative fix.
• Public Comment Period Now Open for WA State Building Code: Every three years, the State Building Code Council (SBCC) reviews and updates Washington state’s building codes, and the current public comment period is now open through June 12. Proposed changes include adjustments to allow for taller single-stair buildings and adding multiplexes to the WA State Residential Code, which would require the use of NFPA 13R sprinklers. If you're an architect who'd like to see a pathway for no sprinklers for projects with higher-rated floors and walls, send in public comment in-person, by virtual testimony, or by emailing [email protected].
• Join us online at 12pm for a Housing Advocacy Committee Meeting to hear from Alex Brennan, Executive Director of Futurewise about the implications of SB 6026.
• ADUniverse Call for Designs: The City of Seattle invites designers, architects, and homebuilders to submit ADU and middle housing designs that fulfill the City's criteria and requirements for ADUniverse 2.0. Submit by July 3.
Read the full Advocacy Update for more information and articles of interest.
📸Artist Studio in West Seattle by GO’C Studio (Photo by Kevin Scott / Courtesy of The Seattle Times)
đź”—https://aiaseattle.org/advocacy-update-may-2026/
