Building official Chris briefs board on proposed 2024 energy code changes; staff to seek council direction

Building official Chris told the Construction Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals on Aug. 4 that the International Code Council’s 2024 cycle shifts from a governmental consensus voting model to a standards development process that includes industry and manufacturer stakeholders.

“That change means stakeholders will be in committee and will represent their constituencies in forming this code,” Chris said, explaining the process change and how it influenced the content of the proposed code. He described the change as intended to make the code “more workable” and said the board should anticipate further technical shifts in the 2026 and 2029 revision cycles.

Chris walked the board through several specific additions in the proposed energy code, including mandated framing and air‑barrier rough‑in inspections and requirements for insulation/fenestration rough‑in inspections to verify R‑values and installation locations. He said municipalities that cannot meet staffing or certification requirements could allow approved third‑party agencies to perform those inspections under new authorization and independence provisions.

The board raised questions about cost, enforceability and practical impacts on small projects. One member asked whether the new entry for submetering and energy monitoring for buildings greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet would require owners to fix inefficiencies identified by meters; Chris answered that the code would require monitoring and reporting but did not impose automatic retrofit obligations. Chris asked the board to provide written feedback by Aug. 14 and said staff aims to present recommendations to council with readings beginning in early September and a target effective date around Oct. 1.