City confirms adoption of 2024 building code; Jan. 5 submittal deadline set for earlier-code permits

For the record, Michael Cunningham, deputy community development director and building official, told the Building and Safety Enterprise Fund Advisory Committee that the city council adopted the 2024 building code at its July meeting and set an effective date of Jan. 5.

Cunningham said contractors and developers may submit applications using either the older code or the 2024 code during the interim. "Our effective date is in January on January 5. So between now and then, contractors, developers have the option to submit under either code," he said.

On grandfathering, Cunningham explained the staff interpretation of the submittal deadline: applicants must submit an application by Jan. 5 to remain eligible to proceed under the older code. He said residential projects may remain under the 2018 code if submitted by Jan. 5, while commercial projects may remain under the 2021 code if submitted by that date.

The committee asked clarifying questions about the deadline and expiration; Cunningham emphasized that Jan. 5 is the submittal date, not an expiration date, and that permits must not be allowed to expire if relying on prior-code protections.

The committee did not take formal action on the code-adoption presentation. Staff indicated they will continue to work with home builders on grandfathering issues and with applicants submitting to the 2024 code prior to the effective date.