Williston approves first reading to strip some 2024 energy-code requirements

Williston’s Board of City Commissioners on June 23 approved the first reading of Ordinance 1181, repealing and re-enacting portions of the city code that implement the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Mark Schneider, director of Development Services, told the board several local architects and developers had contacted the building department saying they could not meet new credits and documentation requirements in the 2024 IECC without installing solar or geothermal systems. Schneider said staff reviewed the code with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and the State Electrical Board and used Fargo’s ordinance as a template for parts of the revision. “Fargo actually allowed us to use their ordinance as a basis for ours,” Schneider said.

Schneider said the proposed ordinance removes certain sections that require additional efficiency, renewable and load-management measures and eases documentation requirements while retaining a commercial compliance check (a comcheck) and a point system MEEA recommended be kept. President Klug asked whether the change applied to residential permits; Schneider replied that the deletions were targeted at commercial provisions and that residential guidance remains available to permit applicants.

Commissioner Gjovig asked whether other issues were considered for removal; Schneider said staff decided to retain some documentation and point-system requirements to ensure designers document mechanical and piping system choices. The motion for first reading passed unanimously, 5-0.

The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading before it becomes final. The ordinance packet attached to the meeting minutes lists the specific sections proposed for removal and staff notes on their review process.