Recommending committee advances package to adopt 2024 building and fire codes to City Council

The recommending committee on July 14 voted to advance a package of bills (Nos. 2025-17 through 2025-26) to the July 16 City Council meeting that would adopt the 2024 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code and related codes with local amendments.

Community development staff and fire officials summarized the changes during a single presentation before the committee voted. Michael Cunningham of the community development department said the package would allow the city to "maintain our definition of a high rise at 75 feet," and that the department proposes staying on the 2009 accessibility standard rather than adopting the 2017 update.

The package bundles multiple code updates into a single adoption effort so the city’s building, residential, fire, energy, electrical, plumbing and mechanical regulations are brought into alignment with the 2024 model codes and local amendments. Cunningham told the panel that the city has coordinated with industry stakeholders and that the code amendments include changes to Chapter 10 on traps and interceptors to simplify an existing AMMR process, the addition of adult changing tables, and the removal of slab-edge insulation from the energy code in exchange for other energy-efficiency measures.

Assistant Fire Marshall Sherry Shoop described significant fire-code updates that staff presented to the committee. Shoop said the fire protection report requirements for certain building types would be expanded to provide more information up front, and Section 105 will broaden the list of occupancies and hazard types requiring operational permits. She said the consensus committee consolidated reporting for deficiencies and impairments of building fire-protection systems and that "there wasn't previously a requirement for how those would be reported. Now there's gonna be a common portal that everyone will use consistently throughout the valley." Shoop also said the package includes enhanced emergency responder radio-communications requirements led by Metro and the Southern Nevada Area Communications Council, and updates to smoke-control installation, maintenance and inspection standards.

Committee members asked about outreach to the building industry and business impacts. Cunningham said the city prepared a business-impact statement, that the process began nearly two years ago and has included several stakeholder meetings, and that industry members have voting seats on amendment packages. A councilmember (unnamed in the transcript) urged staff to examine how the city solicits industry feedback, saying repeatedly that notices produced little response. The unnamed councilmember also asked about a possible fee change; Shoop replied that fees had not been increased in 20 years.

Officials noted regional timing: staff told the committee that North Las Vegas had adopted similar codes the prior week, Henderson and the county were proposing adoption the next day, and that adoption by the city would put the jurisdictions "on the same page."

No members of the public spoke during the hearing portion on these items. For each bill in the package the committee moved to approve and the motions passed; each item was recorded to be heard for adoption at the July 16 City Council meeting.

Votes at a glance: bills advanced by the recommending committee - Bill 2025-17 (International Building Code, 2024 edition, with local amendments): motion to approve passed; eligible for adoption at the July 16 City Council meeting. - Bill 2025-18 (International Residential Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-19 (International Existing Building Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-20 (International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-21 (International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-22 (Uniform Mechanical Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-23 (Uniform Plumbing Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-24 (National Electric Code, 2023 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-25 (International Fire Code, 2024 edition, local modifications; repeal of LVMC 16.18 related to emergency radio coverage): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16. - Bill 2025-26 (International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2024 edition): motion to approve passed; scheduled for July 16.

Next steps: Each ordinance will be presented to the City Council on July 16 for consideration of final adoption.