Glendale staff present 2024 building and fire code adoption with local amendments; council asks for EV outlet change
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Summary
Development services staff outlined proposed adoption of the 2024 International Code Council model codes (and 2023 NEC), identified significant code changes and proposed local amendments; council members asked to amend an EV requirement from "EV ready" to "EV capable" and discussed implementation details for retrofits and accessibility standards.
Development Services staff presented a proposed adoption package of the 2024 International Code Council building and fire codes at the Aug. 26 council workshop, explained proposed local amendments and sought council input before returning with an adoption ordinance.
Randy Huggins and Brian Hickman outlined the packages that staff proposed to adopt: the 2024 International Residential Code (one‑ and two‑family dwellings), the 2024 International Building Code (commercial occupancies), the 2024 International Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Fire Codes, the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, the 2024 International Conservation Code, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the International Green Construction Code and the 2023 National Electrical Code (published by NFPA). Stephen Dudley, a former building official and architect, reviewed notable changes between the 2018 and 2024 cycles.
Staff identified several significant changes in the 2024 cycle, including: new minimum exit‑path clearances from bedroom egress windows; whole‑house surge protection when electrical service panels are replaced; new requirements and protections for energy storage systems (including fire‑rated separations and impact protection for batteries); and expanded allowances for engineered mass timber in larger buildings. Staff said many local amendments are required to fill code blanks (for local wind or seismic data), to address local conditions and to incorporate state statutes such as accessory dwelling unit and middle‑housing requirements.
Council members asked whether requirements apply only to new construction or to certain retrofit triggers. Hickman and Dudley explained that most provisions apply to new construction, but some requirements — for example, whole‑house surge protection — apply when an electrical service or panel is replaced. Council members also discussed swimming‑pool barrier rules, a 5‑foot accessible path requirement for commercial and industrial building entrances, and how design review might accommodate downtown sidewalk, outdoor dining and extension‑of‑premises situations.
EV outlet requirement: council members focused on a proposed amendment that would require an electric‑vehicle (EV) outlet in new residential construction. After discussion of cost and buyer choice, several council members supported amending the requirement from an "EV ready" (breaker, wiring and outlet installed) to an "EV capable" (conduit in place to allow later installation) standard; staff said they would revise the amendment accordingly and return with the proposed code adoption in 60 days.
Staff requested and received council consensus to continue the code adoption process with the proposed amendments and to bring an ordinance back for adoption in the coming months. Staff also said a 180‑day grace period would be available for projects started under the prior (2018) codes.
