HUD Delays Implementation of 2021 IECC Rule Until Dec. 31, 2026
At NAHB’s urging, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will wait an additional seven months before enforcing the compliance dates for adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs.
Rescinding this mandate is a top priority for NAHB, and we previously convinced HUD and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to wait until May 28, 2026, before implementing this mandatory energy code policy for single-family and multifamily developers. Today’s announcement by HUD further extends the compliance date to Dec. 31, 2026. NAHB will be urging the USDA to agree to this Dec. 31 extension date as well.
Compliance with this rule would make it much harder for home builders and multifamily developers to build housing that is available and affordable for American families.
In fact, the Home Innovation Research Labs has found that compliance with the 2021 IECC can add more than $20,000 to the price of a new home, but in practice, home builders have estimated increased costs of up to $31,000.
NAHB has been working on all fronts to make sure this mandate never goes into effect. NAHB and 15 state attorneys general filed a complaint last year to stop the adoption of these standards. And we are also working to get legislation introduced for this purpose.
The updated compliance dates are as follows:
| Program | Initiation Event | Compliance Date |
| Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-Insured Multifamily | Pre-application submitted to HUD | Dec. 31, 2026 |
| FHA-Insured Single Family | Building Permit Application | Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Public Housing Capital Fund | HUD approvals of development proposals for new Capital Fund or mixed financed projects | Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Project-Based Vouchers | To be determined in further guidance | Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Competitive Grants (Choice Neighborhoods, Section 202, Section 811) | Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Publication | Upon publication of FY2026 NOFO for each respective program |
| All programs, persistent poverty rural areas | Based on program-specific event, above | Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) | N/A | Already effective by Federal Register notice and program notice |