Make Your Voice Heard on Building Codes at Upcoming Hearings

The International Code Council (ICC) is deep in its 2024-2026 code development cycle leading to the 2027 editions of its model building codes (I-Codes). The so-called “Group B” code changes will be debated at an upcoming set of hearings before ICC’s code development committees.

Home builders and others in the residential construction industry have an opportunity to make their voices heard at the hearings.

This is an important year for codes affecting the home building industry as the Group B code changes cover Chapters 2-10 of the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), the general and structural provisions of the International Building Code (IBC), the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), and the International Zoning Code (IZC). Group B also includes code changes to the Chapter 1 Administrative provisions of all the I-Codes.

The proposed Group B code changes . The changes will be discussed at the first Committee Action Hearing being held April 27 - May 6 in Orlando, during which the code development committees will recommend approval or disapproval of each proposal and consider modifications.

ICC invites the public to attend and speak at the hearings, but you must . (There is no charge.)

As usual, changes with significant design or cost impacts have been proposed for the 2027 I-codes. Key proposals include:

• An NAHB-submitted proposal to restore at a national level the 8-1/4” riser height for stairs and 9” tread depth dating to at least one of the legacy codes and still enforced in many states.
• A proposal to expand the scope of the International Residential Code to include triplex and quadplex “missing middle” housing.
• Proposals to again increase the thickness and material properties for vapor retarders used beneath slabs-on-ground, similar to provisions added in the 2021 IRC and removed in 2024.
• Proposals to expand the application of flood design requirements to the 500-year floodplain and require residential construction be elevated to or above a 500-year flood depth.

If you would like to attend the Committee Action Hearings and have questions about the code changes, how to testify, or just general inquiries about the code development process, please contact Gary Ehrlich.

Timeline for this codes process includes:

• After the Orlando hearings, interested stakeholders will be able to submit comments on the committee recommendations, which will be considered at a second Committee Action Hearing held Oct. 22-31 in Cleveland.
• Following that hearing, public comments on Group B proposals will be solicited and be debated at Public Comment Hearings in 2026 together with public comments submitted for the Group A proposals debated last year.
• Following the Public Comment Hearings, the online vote of validated ICC governmental members will be held to finalize the 2027 editions of the I-Codes.