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. Housing affordability was specifically cited as a primary driver of the new law.

Unanimously approved by the legislature, the law calls for the state to pause its adoption of model building codes between the 2024 and 2030 cycles, a period of six years. Current law calls for the state to adopt new building codes within 18 months of their publication every three years.

The new law stretches that timeframe to two years after the moratorium. But the law also calls for a report to be issued by Jan. 1, 2029, on the impact of a pause on new building codes. That report will inform the decision on how often to mandate building code updates.

Existing state law has provisions for emergency additions to state building codes to address specific critical issues when needed.  

The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA-CT) was instrumental in getting the new language passed and providing more stability to home builders in the state. HBRA-CT officials successfully argued that adopting new building codes on a six-year cadence strikes the right balance between the need to keep up with evolving technologies and the ability of all impacted parties to transition to new code requirements. It also allows the industry to accumulate meaningful practical experience with adopted codes before deciding on new changes.

Over the last 30 years, building codes and energy codes have grown exponentially in size and complexity. The three-year adoption model that worked for simpler older codes is long overdue for an overhaul.

Connecticut could serve as a model for states looking to codify less frequent code adoption cycles. Last year, California passed a similar initiative with a six-year pause on new codes.