Code Development

Advancements in building science and lessons learned from how buildings perform are often reflected in the International Code Council (ICC) series of model codes (I-Codes).

NAHB is an active participant in ICC’s code development process. When proposals for new editions of the model codes are published, NAHB reviews them and identifies changes that either have a negative impact on the building industry and home buyers or that will save builders time and/or expenses during construction.

ICC Code Development Process

The I-Codes are updated on a three-year cycle, with the full set of codes split into two groups, Group A and Group B. In year one, proposals for Group A are submitted and considered by ICC code development committees at two Committee Action Hearings. In year two, proposals for Group B are submitted and considered by another set of ICC code development committees at another two Committee Action Hearings. At these hearings proposals are debated, in some cases modified, and then voted on by the committees. In year three, a single public comment hearing is held for all Group A and B code proposals where they can be further refined, approved, or turned down. Final actions are determined by a vote of the online governmental voting members.

The final decision makers are government officials that have been validated by ICC. This group is primarily made up of building code officials but also includes others in local government that are currently an employee or public official actively engaged either full or part time in the administration, formulation, implementation or enforcement of laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations relating to public health, safety, and welfare.

Current Code Cycle - ICC Group A Committee Action Hearings

The 2024 Group A cycle includes the egress and fire safety provisions of the IBC, the IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPSDC, IWUIC, and most importantly the mechanical and plumbing provisions of the IRC. For Group A, the first Committee Action Hearings were held April 7-16, 2024 in Orlando, Fla. with the second Code Action Hearing taking place Oct. 23-31, 2024 in Long Beach, Calif.

NAHB members are encouraged to attend these hearings and testify on issues important to them. Registration for the hearings is free and you do not need to be an ICC member to participate. Home building professionals can make a real difference with their comments.

NAHB’s DASH Campaign

NAHB encourages all members to maintain productive relationships with their local building code officials and ensure they are eligible to vote for the next editions of the International Code Council’s family of model codes.

Here is the four-step process to make sure that happens:

• Build relationships with your local code officials
• Urge your code officials to participate in the ICC code development process
• Seek opportunities to discuss building codes with your local code officials
• Champion NAHB positions on code change proposals with your code officials

NAHB’s DASH campaign makes this outreach easier for members. DASH participants are provided lists of validated voters in their areas, making outreach easier and more effective. To assist in outreach efforts, NAHB staff prepares a voting guide targeted to the online governmental consensus vote. This guide lists all proposals that NAHB believes will have a positive/negative impact on the construction industry and includes a separate list of the proposals that have been identified as “High Priority.” We encourage NAHB members to share this guide with their local officials.

NAHB’s One and Done campaign makes this process much easier for members. Sign up today.

When evaluating proposed changes to model building codes, NAHB puts homeowners first using a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of a new code requirement:

• Need: Is the proposal truly needed, with real-world cases demonstrating an urgent safety, mechanical, electrical, or other issue that should be addressed through the code to protect homeowners?
• Effectiveness: Will the proposal, as written, solve the need identified?
• Homeowner Acceptance: Is the proposal likely to meet with homeowner acceptance, including cost impact?

These voting guides highlight recommendations for the upcoming ICC online voting after careful consideration by NAHB members and staff using the criteria above. All recommendations put homeowners first and offer supporting rationales.

NAHB members are end users of model building codes and have the most experience of any stakeholder in evaluating the necessity and efficacy of code changes. But our primary responsibility is to the true end users of building codes: Homeowners.

The ICC code development process is fair and equitable, designed to create the best and most comprehensive set of building codes available. However, it is critical to ensure that impractical and biased code change proposals are not approved in the next edition of the building codes. This can only be done if home builders, remodelers and their trade partners step up to keep housing safe and affordable for home buyers.

NAHB staff offers expert advice and assistance in code adoptions locally as well. Contact a staff liaison.

ICC Code Development Resources

• Revised Council Policy #28. This ICC policy covers the code development process.
• 2024-2026 ICC Code Development Schedule