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Baldwin County Commission adopts updated building code ahead of CRS audit
Summary
The Baldwin County Commission on March 5 adopted updated building codes effective immediately to meet Community Rating System and ISO requirements, with a grace period for ongoing projects through July.
The Baldwin County Commission adopted an updated set of building codes on March 5, 2025, stating the rule changes take effect immediately while allowing ongoing projects a grace period to continue under the older rules through July.
The update was presented by Ady Harper of the county building inspection office, who told the commission the change is required to remain eligible for the Community Rating System (CRS) and to preserve favorable Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings. "We've been working on an update to our building codes for the last several months," Harper said, and added that once adopted the code "will be effective today" while projects already in planning would be given time to transition.
The code update drew little public comment at a required hearing; no members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Zaleta moved to adopt the updated code; the motion carried with commissioners voting in favor.
County staff told commissioners the update contains few substantive changes intended to alter construction costs. Harper said the goal is compliance with external rating schedules and to improve safety: "This is not about over regulating your people. It's about protecting them," a commissioner said during debate, citing Hurricane Sally recovery and observed differences in damage between structures built to higher standards and those that were not.
The commission recorded that the adoption is timed to accompany an upcoming CRS audit the county has scheduled in two weeks. Staff noted the county previously allowed a longer audit interval but that the audit window has shifted from five years to three years, prompting the expedited adoption.
No ordinance number or formal amendment text was provided at the hearing. The commission recorded the action as an adoption of the updated building code effective March 5, 2025, with a transition allowance for projects in the pipeline through July 2025.
For residents and contractors, staff said the practical effect should be minimal for most projects because the update contains relatively few changes; the county's inspection staff will continue enforcing the code in the field.
