On June 12, 2025, Brentwood Public Works Committee members began a detailed review of proposed updates to the city’s building codes to align with the 2024 editions of the international model codes. The committee did not adopt the new code at the meeting and instead requested further information and stakeholder outreach.

John, the city’s building official, outlined proposed changes and said staff prepared the materials quickly to give the committee time to review. He noted that much of the municipal ordinance language simply updates citation years from the 2018 code to the 2024 code and that staff would propose specific amendments for local conditions. John told the committee that the proposed ordinance adds the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (section 500.805) and restores certain provisions for townhomes that were absent in 2018.

John described several provisions that could increase construction or renovation costs for homeowners: working chimneys would generally require chimney liners when HVAC appliances are replaced (he estimated liner costs “anywhere from $700 to $2,500” depending on access and run length); updates to the electrical provisions would likely add roughly $1,000 in material costs compared with the 2018 code and could raise typical electrical-material totals from about $1,500–$2,000 to roughly $2,400–$3,000 for certain additions, he said. John also described requirements for whole‑house surge protection, additional ground‑ and arc‑fault protections and other electrical changes in the 2024 code.

Committee members asked whether the changes would apply to modest renovations and were told that the triggers for full-code upgrades remain tied to thresholds in the ordinance (for example, a percentage of the structure’s value or size of an addition). John and staff said they can propose edits to remove or modify provisions the committee believes are not appropriate for Brentwood.

Several aldermen and committee members raised cost concerns for homeowners and builders, asked for input from the Home Builders Association and requested a memo or appearance from the fire department explaining fire-safety benefits. Staff said they plan to invite contractors to a follow-up meeting, notify municipal peers about other jurisdictions’ code choices, and circulate the item to the Board of Aldermen with a public-hearing schedule; staff also noted St. Louis County is moving to the 2024 code.

No formal vote to adopt the 2024 codes took place; the committee directed staff to continue outreach and return with recommended local amendments and additional input from contractors and fire officials.