The
residential construction industry is facing building code proposals that could
significantly impact the design and cost of new homes and directly harm
every builder’s and remodeler’s ability to complete a quality project at an
affordable cost.
Participation
in the complex codes development process is one of the most important ways that
NAHB provides value to members. At recent International Code Council (ICC) code development
hearings, the association was successful in helping defeat many proposals that
would add greatly to the cost of building single-family homes and apartments as
well as the cost of remodeling projects.
If NAHB is
ultimately successful on all 750 code change proposals that the association
took a position on, the overall cost savings could be more than $42,000
per home.
One of the
proposals struck down in the initial round of hearings would mandate a second
set of stairs in larger homes. Another would have required all homes and
townhouses to be accessible, including homes in flood and coastal areas where
it is impossible to meet the requirements without the installation of a
wheelchair lift or elevator.
These and
more than 2,000 other proposed code changes could increase the cost of building
even the most modest home by tens of thousands of dollars.
ICC is
working on the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, International
Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Existing Building
Code and the International Property Maintenance Code.
The ICC
Committee Action Hearings were held in Dallas in late April. At the conclusion
of the preliminary hearings, NAHB was successful on 596 of the 750 code change
proposals that it either supported or opposed.
However,
these aren't the final results. The last and most important phase of the code
development process occurs this fall at the ICC Final Action Hearings in
Atlantic City, N.J. on Oct. 2-10. The code officials who attend these
hearings will cast the votes that will decide the final outcome on all 2,065
proposed code changes.
Three Steps
to Lock in Savings
To ensure
that NAHB’s success in the preliminary hearings translates to the same results
in the Final Action hearings this fall, it is absolutely vital for builders and
remodelers to get involved in the process early and to fight hard by taking the
following actions:
Meet with
your state and local code officials and elected officials to gain their
support. Make sure they understand the issues, and help them see why they
should vote in favor of the home building industry’s key proposals.
For example,
four of the most critical code change proposals are related to energy
efficiency and would allow equipment and performance trade-offs if passed.
Approval of just these four code change proposals could save more
than $4,000 per home.
Get your
local HBA involved and let them know that this is a top priority for the
residential construction industry.
Ask your
elected officials to allow their code officials to attend the ICC Final Action
Hearings in Atlantic City, N.J. so they can vote in support of NAHB’s
positions. Remember, this year, code officials must still be present in
Atlantic City to vote during the Final Action Hearings.
Resources You
Need
NAHB has
the tools and resources necessary
to help builders, remodelers and state and local HBAs to effectively engage
their local and state government and industry leaders. NAHB is calling on all
members to take these action steps to help ensure that only those code changes
that are necessary, practical, and cost effective will be approved during the
ICC Final Action Hearings.
Calling All
Code Experts
NAHB is
looking for HBA member code experts as the association tries to ensure that the
International Code Council’s (ICC) model building codes include only provisions
that benefit home buyers’ health and safety or have reasonable payback periods.
Some of the proposed code changes related to energy conservation provide very
little benefit if any and have payback periods ranging from 15 to 40 years. If
you can help, please contact your EO.
In addition,
please visit nahb.org/2015codes,
click on your state and email Steve Orlowski with the email address and phone number
for the code officials identified within your state or jurisdiction. NAHB has
their names, but not their contact information, so your assistance is crucial
in this regard.
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