Antioch planning board backs update to 2024 ICC building codes

The Antioch Planning and Zoning Board on July 2 recommended that the village move forward with updating its building code from the 2012 editions to the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) editions and related local amendments. Howard, the planning director, presented the staff report and listed the codes proposed for update, including the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code and related technical codes.

Howard said the update is prompted by state guidance and a multi‑cycle code schedule. “So staff proposed to update the code from 2012 to 2024,” he said, and listed other standards under consideration, including NFPA life‑safety provisions and the 2023 National Electrical Code. He told the board that existing buildings would generally remain grandfathered and that the update mainly affects new construction and projects called out by the codes.

The move follows a state public‑act requirement noted by staff that municipalities keep building standards current. Board members asked whether the change would force retrofits on existing commercial roof‑top equipment; Howard explained the energy‑code upgrades typically apply to new work rather than grandfather existing equipment, and confirmed single‑ and two‑family dwellings would not be required to add sprinklers under the proposed approach.

A board member moved to recommend adoption of the ICC 2024 codes and associated amendments; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll call. The recommendation now goes to the Antioch Village Board, which will consider formal adoption at a forthcoming meeting.

Next steps: the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Village Board for final action; staff said it anticipates bringing the item forward at an upcoming village meeting.