Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Codes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Storey County approves first reading of 2024 building codes with targeted snow‑load amendment
Summary
The county approved first reading of Bill 146 to adopt the 2024 International Codes with Northern Nevada amendments but directed a further local amendment to retain existing snow‑load rules for residential and small commercial (risk categories 1 and 2). The decision responds to public concerns about large cost increases for housing.
Storey County commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to approve first reading of Bill 146 (Ordinance 25‑334), adopting the 2024 International Codes and Northern Nevada amendments while further amending the Northern Nevada snow‑load values for the county’s risk categories 1 and 2.
Community Development Building Official Joseph Starnes explained that the most consequential change in the 2024 cycle is increased required snow‑load values driven by a new hazard tool in the codebooks. He proposed three approaches: full adoption as written; adoption of the Northern Nevada committee’s intermediate values; or adopting the Northern Nevada values but retaining the county’s current snow‑load values for risk categories 1 and 2 (houses, apartments, stores and similar structures).
Starnes said option 1 would raise Virginia City’s design load from about 70 pounds per square foot to 154 psf; the Northern Nevada amendment would raise it to about 100 psf; his preferred local option preserves existing values for risk categories 1 and 2 to avoid engineering mandates for most residential work while applying higher values for risk categories 3–4 (schools, hospitals, jails).
Several contractors and residents spoke during public comment, warning of substantial cost increases if higher snow loads require structural engineering and different foundations. One builder’s takeoff for an 1,800‑sq‑ft house estimated an increase “between $43,000 to $50,000,” and a participant said costs could exceed $80,000–$100,000 on some projects.
Starnes recommended adopting the 2024 codes with the Northern Nevada amendments and the local amendment for risk categories 1 and 2 to protect residents and owner‑builders from large cost spikes while maintaining stronger standards for high‑risk structures.
Commissioner Mitchell moved to approve first reading of the ordinance adopting the 2024 codes with the additional Storey County amendments to risk categories 1 and 2; the board approved the motion unanimously. The ordinance will return for second reading and final action at a later meeting, subject to staff and legal review.
What happens next: staff will refine the ordinance language, publish required notices and present the measure for second reading.
