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Georgetown asks Building Standards Commission to review code amendments to help lower housing costs
Summary
Mayor requested the Building Standards Commission study model local amendments and code practices used elsewhere — including single‑stair allowances and 2027 IBC changes — to identify potential cost savings while retaining safety standards; staff stressed the city will not adopt changes without council approval.
City leaders asked the Building Standards Commission to examine possible local amendments to the adopted international codes to identify changes that could reduce housing costs without compromising safety.
Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) said he had committed to outside advocates to “do everything in our power” to make sure municipal regulations are not contributing unnecessarily to housing affordability problems. He asked the Building Standards Commission, chaired by Steve Dickey, to review examples from other jurisdictions over the coming months and return to council with any amendments the commission believes merit consideration. “If there was something that y’all thought was worth council’s consideration, then I think they would come to council and we would take a look at it,” the mayor said.
Glenn (first name used), the city’s chief building official, reviewed the city’s recent code adoption history: Georgetown adopted the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) and 2012 International Fire Code in 2013–2014, moved through 2015/2017 cycles and adopted the 2021 IBC and 2021 IFC more recently. Glenn said the city has generally moved to adopt more recent model codes on a two‑ to three‑year cadence and plans to adopt the 2026 National Electric Code (NEC) in 2026 and review the 2027 IBC/IFC cycle in 2027; he noted the 2024 model cycle contained requirements some jurisdictions have found overly restrictive and that the 2027 cycle has loosened some of those provisions.
Mayor and council discussed targeted examples city staff and national advocates have cited as potential savings — the mayor cited “single stair” local amendments (allowing a single stair for certain mid‑rise, sprinkled buildings) and referenced a list compiled by an industry leader that included many small mandatory items that cumulatively raise construction cost. Glenn urged that the commission’s review be focused and that staff remain involved; public safety and the “intent of the code” will remain central, Glenn said.
Councilmembers and staff discussed the role of wheeling water and public infrastructure in larger affordability conversations (a separate topic); councilmember Jake and others said they support a focused review to identify the most promising candidate amendments, and the mayor and staff said no changes will be adopted without council approval. The Building Standards Commission will begin reviewing materials, and the city will coordinate a timeline so the commission’s work can inform any future code adoption packages brought to council.
