City staff review plan to adopt 2018 building code, effective Jan. 1, 2025

The City of Kearney’s community development director, David Pavlich, outlined Aug. 8 a proposal to adopt the 2018 model building code and related amendments, saying the change would align Kearney with neighboring jurisdictions and industry practice.

Pavlich said the update addresses multiple technical topics: updated wind design criteria and wind speed maps, new options for heavy timber and fire-retardant-treated wood, reintroduction of 1- and 2-hour firewall assemblies for townhomes, standards for sunrooms, clarified minimum ceiling heights and habitable attics, revised deck provisions and lateral connection requirements, new header-support tables, modified ventilation and carbon-monoxide alarm requirements, and updated U-factors for windows. Commercial updates noted by Pavlich include reclassification of accessory storage as part of primary occupancy, elevator safety improvements, updated occupant-load factors, higher live-load calculations for decks and balconies, and required bracing inspections for wood trusses.

Pavlich said many builders in the area are already familiar with the 2018 code and that Clay County and other nearby jurisdictions are moving through similar processes. He said the city plans to prepare an ordinance for a future meeting and that, following a 90-day hold period, the new code would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. When asked why the city was not moving to the 2021 or later editions, Pavlich said neighboring jurisdictions had not widely adopted 2021 and there are unresolved energy-efficiency changes in the 2021 code specific to Kansas City; the board prioritized 2018 to align regionally and provide a stable implementation path.

No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff said they will return with a formal ordinance and timing details for implementation.