Building Codes

This article, “How Can a Building Official Deny Approval of an RDP's Work?” asks an important due process of law question.

Things are heating up for this November’s critical ICC ballot to update America’s Model Energy Code.  Local and state officials recognize the critical role buildings play in sound energy and climate policy, and are signaling their intent to vote. 

The Governor of Colorado’s signing of HB10-126 is notable because Colorado is a home rule state. While this bill would allow jurisdictions to retain some freedom regarding their energy bill, it would also require them to use one of the model energy codes that were developed and published within the last decade.

Potential productivity benefits for architecture, engineering, and construction may depend on the outcome of copyright litigation by the International Code Council (ICC) against San Francisco-based startup UpCodes. The firm, which aims to reduce perceived bottlenecks in the implementation of the nation’s 93,000 building codes, faces charges that its public posting of codes undermines the public-private partnership that develops them.