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Council studies 2024 building-code adoptions but holds off on 2024 energy code
Summary
At a study session, staff recommended adopting the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electric Code with local amendments but proposed retaining the 2018 energy code for now; staff will return April 6 for a formal adoption vote after stakeholder follow-up on one outstanding technical item.
The council held a study session on proposed adoption of the 2024 International Codes (I-Codes) and the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) along with a set of local amendments. Community Development staff and external consultants detailed the changes and recommended adoption of most code updates while retaining the 2018 energy code at this time.
Anna Cassidy (Community Development Director) explained the process and stakeholder engagement: staff reviewed code changes since March 2025, held a study session in September 2025 and stakeholder meetings in fall 2025, and sought technical review from the Board of Appeals, the Department of Law and regional stakeholders. Staff said local amendments largely address administrative clarifications, renumbering, and town-specific language.
Key items discussed included: allowing some middle-housing provisions (classifying triplexes and fourplexes under IRC to reduce construction costs), adjusting wind-design criteria for regional consistency, adopting certain appendices (including allowances for alternative construction methods and 3D-printed construction), and adding property-maintenance provisions to secure vacant buildings. Staff emphasized coordination and alignment with the Santa Rita Fire District on IFC-related language and secondary-access guidance for subdivisions.
On the energy code, staff and a consultant advised that the town should remain on the 2018 energy code for now rather than adopt the 2024 energy code, citing complexity, implementation burden for local plan reviewers, and potential affordability impacts for builders. The council expressed support for that cautious approach and asked staff to continue stakeholder work on a narrow technical question regarding vapor barriers.
Staff said they will return on April 6 with an adoption ordinance and recommended a 60'90 day implementation/training window, proposing July 1 as a practical effective date to give the development community time to adapt. The council agreed to continue dialog with stakeholders before the adoption vote.
Next steps: staff to resolve the vapor-barrier technical question with stakeholders, finalize the ordinance for the April 6 meeting, and propose an implementation date (target July 1) with a training window for designers and reviewers.
