Oak Park updates building codes, amends sprinkler trigger and keeps EV-ready garage requirement

Trustees for the Village of Oak Park on Sept. 16 approved a package of updated building and safety codes — mostly adopting the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) model codes and related standards — and accepted a Building Code Advisory Commission recommendation to raise the renovation threshold that triggers required residential fire sprinklers from 50% to 75%.

The board approved adoption of multiple ordinances (items D through M on the consent agenda) to bring Oak Park’s local code into alignment with recent national model codes. Those measures included adoption of the 2024 ICC building, residential, mechanical, fuel and gas, energy conservation and fire codes, the 2023 National Electric Code, and a 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code adoption (first reading and approval). The board also discussed impacts on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), sprinkler retrofit costs, and EV-charging requirements for new garages.

Why it matters: the package updates local technical requirements for construction, fire protection and electrification that affect homeowners, contractors and developers. Changes such as the 75% threshold for sprinkler triggers and EV-ready garage rules will affect renovation planning, the likely costs for homeowners adding living space or garages, and how the village pursues its building- and climate-related goals.

Key facts and context

- The board voted to adopt a set of code ordinances and to waive a separate second reading for the plumbing code; the votes were recorded individually at roll call and then consolidated on the consent agenda (items D–M). For most items the roll call returned unanimous "yes" votes from the trustees present.

- On the specific matter of residential sprinklers, staff explained that the Building Code Advisory Commission (BCAC) recommended raising the threshold that triggers a sprinkler requirement from alterations equal to 50% of a structure’s value/area to 75%. That change was adopted as part of the existing-building code update. The change is intended to reduce the number of smaller renovation projects that would be required to add whole-house sprinklers, a move commissioners said would reduce cost barriers to smaller remodels and ADU construction.

- Development services staff and the village’s chief building official gave data to the board: about 19–20 ADUs in Oak Park have required new water service lines (staff said those were mostly newly constructed ADUs); staff reported roughly 109 sprinklers permitted recently in the period they reviewed and more than 4,600 permits overall. Staff described sprinkler cost examples (ranges and options) and insurance benefits but also said final project costs depend on scope and site-specific conditions.

- Fire Chief J.T. Terry spoke in support of fire sprinklers, noting the life-safety role of early sprinkler activation while fire crews respond: "fire grows exponentially. So every minute, it doubles," he said, adding that sprinkler activation can reduce fire growth and improve safety for occupants and first responders.

- Trustees spent time on the EV/garage requirements in the updated codes. Staff said the current model language requires new construction garages to include an EV charger or a 40-amp outlet that qualifies as an EV “charging point.” Staff and trustees debated whether the code should require full EV chargers or only EV-ready infrastructure (circuiting and conduit). Staff said the practical savings of an EV-ready-only requirement are limited because service upgrades, load calculations and trenching often remain necessary. Trustees discussed grant programs and possible permit-fee waivers to reduce residents’ upfront costs for electrification work.

- The board and staff discussed the state’s “stretch code” (a higher-performance energy code). Staff reported that adopting the village’s 2024 codes captures much of the 2021 stretch-code content and that a 2025 state update may include additional measures worth revisiting.

Quotes from the meeting

- "A range [for sprinkler installation] is $3 to $6 a square foot," said Sean Lento, the village’s chief building official, when describing cost variability and retrofit options. He also described a scenario in which a retrofit using a new water service cost roughly $19,000 versus $15,000–$16,000 for tank-and-pump options, noting the specifics vary by home and scope.

- "The time that these sprinklers are activated while the fire department is en route not only keeps the fire in check, but also makes it safer for the residents to evacuate and then also for the firefighter paramedics when we get on scene," said Oak Park Fire Chief J.T. Terry.

Board direction, key discussion points

- Sprinkler threshold: Several trustees expressed support for the BCAC’s 75% threshold recommendation as a compromise intended to reduce marginal costs on modest renovations and ADUs while still capturing larger-scale remodels that pose greater life-safety risk.

- EV-ready garages: Trustees acknowledged the community preference for encouraging electrification but also flagged cost issues for homeowners. Trustees asked staff to return with permit-fee data and options for incentives or fee waivers; staff noted grant programs that can cover electrical service upgrades in many cases.

- Stretch (energy) code timing: Staff recommended adopting the 2024 suite now and reexamining newer 2025 stretch-code provisions once the state guidance is finalized, to avoid delaying the comprehensive local updates.

Votes at a glance

(Each item below was considered by the board on Sept. 16 and recorded at roll call; the votes listed match the roll-call record included in the meeting transcript.)

- Ordinance (item D): Amend Chapter 7, Article 12 — adopt the 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code (with local amendments). Outcome: Approved (roll call: Trustee Eder yes; Trustee Enya yes; Trustee Levin Jacobson yes; Trustee Straw yes; Trustee Taglia yes; Trustee Wesley yes; President Skamman yes).

- Ordinance (item E): Adopt 2024 ICC Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item F): Adopt 2024 ICC Building Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item G): Adopt 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item H): Adopt 2023 National Electric Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item I): Adopt 2024 International Existing Building Code (with BCAC-recommended modifications). Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item J): Adopt 2024 ICC Fire Code (BCAC recommendation to change sprinkler threshold to 75% included). Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes). Notes: the package the board approved reflects the BCAC’s recommended 75% threshold for the renovation trigger that requires sprinklers.

- Ordinance (item K): Adopt 2024 ICC Fuel and Gas Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item L): Adopt 2024 ICC Mechanical Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

- Ordinance (item M): Adopt 2024 ICC Residential Code. Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes).

What staff will return with next

Trustees asked staff to provide more detail on: permit fees (sample totals and whether waivers are feasible), the estimated household cost for sprinkler options in several common renovation scenarios, the implications for accessory dwelling units and ADU water-service needs, and the menu of grants or incentives available to residents for EV and electrical upgrades. Staff also will revisit the stretch-code comparison once the state releases its 2025 update.

Ending

The board’s code updates put Oak Park on the most-recent technical footing used by many municipalities while incorporating a local change on sprinkler triggers that the Building Code Advisory Commission recommended to reduce cost impacts on smaller home renovations. Trustees said they want staff to return with more granular cost and incentive options before the next budget cycle so homeowners, builders and small businesses can better understand the financial impacts of the new requirements.