Cochise County advisors begin review of 2024/2023 code cycle; energy, fire and local amendments flagged

Cochise County building-code advisers discussed beginning a multi-step review of more recent model codes during a regular meeting, with members urging study of the substantive policy changes, how they would affect construction costs, and what local amendments should be retained or revised.

The conversation was led by Paul, the building official, who opened the topic by noting other local jurisdictions are reviewing newer code cycles and that Cochise County currently operates on older codes. "We're on the 15 codes. They are a bit dated," Paul said, describing conversations he's had with Sierra Vista and a regional code-review committee.

Board members said matching Sierra Vista and other nearby jurisdictions could reduce inconsistencies for builders and emergency responders. Mark Prince said staying ahead helps avoid situations where a major prospective project cannot be permitted under an older code: "I'd rather be ahead of the game, than behind it so that our community doesn't have to come back to work and try to settle this at a later point in time." Bob (company representative) noted that chapter 1 administrative provisions allow a building official to consider alternative materials and methods if a proposal does not neatly fit the adopted code.

Members raised specific technical and policy areas for review. The group listed the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) generally, and debated whether to adopt the 2018 cycle as an interim step or move directly to the 2024 cycle when it is available. Paul said Cochise County remains on a 2015 cycle that followed an earlier jump from 2012 to 2015, and that the county's energy code is still the 2012 Energy Conservation Code; that disconnect would need study: "How can you justify using the 2012 energy code when you're on 2024 building code? That's a disconnect," Paul said.

Fire code timing and the wildland-urban interface (WUI) were important concerns. Billy Simmons, fire marshal with the Sierra Vista Fire District, reported the state fire marshal's office plans to move to the 2024 fire-code cycle for the fire code at the end of the year and that several neighboring fire agencies are planning to adopt the 2024 fire code this year. He offered to prepare a concise summary of fire-code changes for the advisory board's next meeting.

Electrical-code changes drew cautionary remarks from multiple members. Several speakers flagged expanded GFCI and other electrical requirements in current NEC (National Electrical Code) drafts as likely to increase costs: "There are some surprises in the latest electrical code that are not sitting well with established jurisdictions and inspectors and basically contractors," one participant said.

The board emphasized process and outreach rather than immediate adoption. Members asked staff to compile a concise list of substantive policy changes and recommended local amendments for review before any formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Paul said staff will work with Sierra Vista and the regional code review committee and expected background materials to be available for the next advisory meeting. "We need to summarize the significant changes that could impact costs, buildability, other factors," one member said.

No adoption vote or formal direction to the Board of Supervisors occurred at the meeting; members agreed the matter requires additional study and will return to it with curated materials (highlight summaries, proposed local amendments, and anticipated impacts on permitting and enforcement).

Ending: Board members agreed to pause formal action pending staff work and materials from Sierra Vista and the code-review committee; Billy Simmons said he will present a 30,000-foot overview of fire-code changes at the next scheduled meeting.