Just One More Week
 
Industry Pulse Check Closes June 15. Learn more
 

Alabama Builders Achieve Codes Victory

Housing Affordability
Published
Contact: Karl Eckhart
[email protected]
VP, State & Local Government Affairs
(202) 266-8319

The Home Builders Association of Alabama (HBAA) supported Senate Bill 40, which will prohibit the adoption or enforcement of specific building codes requiring the installation of certain latent, non-operable features in a residential structure. The bill was recently signed into law.

“Why should a new home buyer be asked to install a feature in their home that they may never use?” said Jason Reid, HBAA vice president of external affairs. “This serves only to drive up costs and reduce affordability.”

The leadership at HBAA identified several trends driving up housing costs due to the installation of latent features. Examples of latent features identified by HBAA include:

  • Supplying a 220 circuit behind a gas stove, water heater or furnace in case a future owner wants to install an electric stove, heater or furnace;
  • Installing additional framing to support solar panels if a future home owner wants to add a solar panels; and
  • Installing electrical wiring in a new home if a future buyer wants an electric vehicle charging station, even if the initial buyer does not request one.

The HBAA estimated that by complying with latent features, the mandate would translate into adding to the cost of a newly constructed home. In discussions with lawmakers, HBAA members emphasized the importance of consumer choice over government mandates.

Another key point members shared with lawmakers was that latent features do not add immediate value to the home buyer and reduce new homes' affordability.

To ensure that the structural aspects of the code were not affected, the HBAA accepted a friendly amendment from the Alabama League of Municipalities to clarify that the life safety intent of the code remained. 

“Builders face the challenges of providing affordable housing every day,” said Reid. “Supporting consumer choice over government mandates is a cornerstone to pushing back against the barriers to affordable housing.”

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy

Jun 10, 2026

Over 1,100 Housing Advocates Call on Congress to Address Affordability

More than 1,100 builders, remodelers and other housing industry professionals went to Capitol Hill today to call for congressional action to improve affordability and help builders to increase the production of affordable, attainable homes.

Codes and Standards

Jun 09, 2026

Connecticut Moves Toward 6-Year Building Code Cycle in Possible Trend

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law a bill that lays the groundwork to expand the state’s building code adoption cycle to every six years rather than the current three years.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jun 10, 2026

Inflation Surpassed 4% in May

Inflation accelerated to a new three-year high in May, driven by continued increases in energy costs from the Iran war. Energy costs drove more than 60% of the monthly increase, with national gasoline prices jumping more than a dollar since the war began.

Economics

Jun 10, 2026

Home Building Regulatory Cost Burdens Increased 40% from 2021 to 2026

A new NAHB study shows that, on average, regulations imposed by government at all levels account for $131,734, or 26.4%, of the final price of a new single-family home built for sale. Of this amount, $46,795 is due to a higher price for the finished lot, attributable to regulations imposed during the lot’s development.

Economics

Jun 09, 2026

Existing Home Sales Increased in May

Existing home sales rose to a five-month high in May as more first-time buyers stepped back into the market. The share of first-time buyer reached 35% in May, the highest since June 2020. However, sales remained weak compared to historical norms, with still-tight inventory continued to push up home prices.