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Newton adopts updated International Code Council building and related codes; staff to continue coordination with state fire marshal
Summary
Commission approved a set of ordinances adopting the 2024/2025 editions of the International Building Code and related codes, with staff noting prior work sessions, edits on flood‑study and fee language, and ongoing follow‑up with the state fire marshal over certain local amendments.
The Newton City Commission voted unanimously to adopt a package of updated building and related codes developed from the International Code Council standards and to begin publication procedures after staff finalizes responses to state review comments.
A city staff member told commissioners the code update is a key item in Newton’s 2025–26 strategic plan and that the package had been reviewed in multiple work sessions this summer. The staff member said, “All of the codes that you're gonna be receiving tonight … are published by the International Code Council,” and described the ICC as the industry standard for building safety.
Staff noted a June 30 submission of the updated codes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and said the city received correspondence on Aug. 21 raising concerns about certain local amendments. Those questions prompted staff to suggest tabling the item at the Aug. 26 meeting for further review; staff said it will continue to work with the state fire marshal and determine whether amendments or appeals will be necessary, but did not see a need to delay final passage.
Commissioners approved four ordinances on voice votes: Ordinance No. 5178-25 (international building code adoption), Ordinance No. 5179-25, Ordinance No. 5180-25 and Ordinance No. 5181-25 (specific codes and reorganized residential code as presented in the packet). Staff told commissioners that minor edits already were made to flood‑study wording to indicate use of the most recent study, as well as to fines and fee language, and that the ADA‑accessibility language was clarified to allow either compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards or ICC A117.1 where applicable.
The record shows the ordinances were moved and seconded and passed by voice vote; the meeting record does not include a roll‑call tally. Staff will finalize any remaining edits and continue communication with the Office of the State Fire Marshal before publication and incorporation of the new code provisions.
