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.

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?

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 Combined Public Comment Hearing

The Public Comment Hearing (PCH) will start on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. NAHB members are encouraged to attend the hearings in-person or watch the live webcast streamed via the ICC’s Webcast webpage. Registration for the hearings is free, and you do not need to be an ICC member to participate. Materials for the hearings, including proposed changes for each code, a discussion guide and records of previous actions, can be found on the ICC’s Current Code Development Cycle webpage. Home building professionals can make a real difference with their comments.

NAHB's Code Outreach

NAHB encourages all members and HBAs to maintain productive relationships with their local building officials and ensure those officials are eligible to vote for the next editions of the International Code Council's family of model codes. To assist in outreach efforts, NAHB staff prepares a voting resource for the Online Governmental Consensus Vote listing all proposals that NAHB believes will have a positive or negative impact on the residential construction industry. We encourage NAHB members and HBA staff to share this resource with their local officials. To ensure you receive a copy and other NAHB code resources, contact your CC&S state liaison.

ICC Code Development Resources

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