Elko council directs staff to pursue adoption of 2024 building and fire codes after consultant presentation

After a presentation from Chris Kimble of Building Code Solutions, Elko City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to pursue adoption of the 2024 model building and fire codes and to draft ordinance language for future council consideration.

Kimble summarized the code cycle, noted Elko is two cycles behind and said the update would primarily improve life‑safety, lower insurance premiums over time, and increase community resilience. He described several changes likely to be relevant to Elko — expanded carbon‑monoxide detector requirements, updated structural design methods, lithium‑ion battery provisions for large storage installations, and accessibility updates for new commercial construction — and said most substantial changes would affect larger projects not common in Elko. "So this is just kind of an intro to it," Kimble said, framing the presentation as the first step toward drafting ordinance language.

Staff and council discussed local amendments used by the Northern Nevada chapter of the International Code Council, the possibility of keeping single‑family residences exempt from mandatory sprinklers, and a proposed six‑month grace period after formal adoption to allow projects and contractors to adjust.

A council member moved to pursue adoption and asked staff to bring proposed ordinance language to a future meeting; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said they will return with draft ordinance text and specific amendment language for council review and public hearings.