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City staff to update Pocatello building code to match 2023 National Electrical Code; most changes affect new construction and remodels
Summary
Pocatello building official briefed council on the state’s recent adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code and proposed city code updates. Staff said most changes affect new construction and remodels (kitchen island outlets, surge protector guidance, arc‑fault/GFCI requirements) and will likely not raise homebuilding costs overall.
Building Official Richard Bigelow updated the City Council on the state’s recent adoption of the 2023 National Electrical Code and proposed edits to Pocatello’s Title 15 (Building and Construction) to remain compliant.
Bigelow said the code adoption is the product of statewide stakeholder collaboration that included municipalities, utilities and trade groups. He highlighted several contested or notable items: guidance on surge protectors for dwelling units, a revised approach to kitchen island/peninsula outlets (the most controversial temporary rule had required expensive pop‑up outlets costing about $1,800, but the rule was changed to allow outlets under islands within a 12‑inch distance), and arc‑fault/GFCI protections around sinks in dwelling units.
Bigelow told council most provisions apply to new construction and remodels; existing homes built to the code in effect at the time are exempt. He said the island‑outlet change may slightly reduce some construction costs compared with the temporary rule and that overall the changes were not “extreme.”
Councilmember Nichols asked about the adoption timeline; Bigelow said the city needs to move “sooner than later” to align local ordinance language with the state, and staff will return with a code amendment ordinance for council action.
