Delays in Implementation of the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code

Construction site in North Carolina with workers studying building codes

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News Summary

The implementation of the eagerly awaited 2024 North Carolina State Building Code is facing significant delays, now slated for a launch after January 1, 2025. Ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and new legislation are primary factors behind the postponement. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is collaborating with the International Code Council to finalize the code, which includes crucial updates for building safety. The 2018 code remains in effect until the new code is confirmed, posing challenges for local representatives regarding federal funding and safety standards.

Delays in Implementation of 2024 North Carolina State Building Code

The eagerly awaited 2024 North Carolina State Building Code is now facing significant delays, pushing its effect farther than its planned launch date of January 1, 2025. Factors including ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and recent legislative actions have culminated in the postponement of this critical update.

What’s Behind the Delay?

One of the primary culprits for this delay is the continuous efforts underway to rebuild communities affected by Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc in parts of Western North Carolina. The intersection of recovery initiatives and legislative actions has made it challenging for state officials to meet the original timeline for the new building code.

Recent legislation enacted through S.L. 2025-2 has extended the effective date of the building code to a point 12 months after the State Fire Marshal meets two key conditions:

Publication and Distribution: The Building Code Council and Residential Code Council must finalize and disseminate the fully adopted code to state and local officials, as well as the public.
Residential Code Council Formation: The Residential Code Council needs to be fully constituted per state regulations.

Current Status and Future Steps

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is collaborating with the International Code Council (ICC®) to put the finishing touches on the 2024 Code. Currently, all components of the code, with the exception of the North Carolina Energy Conservation Code, have been submitted for publication. This Energy Code was only finalized on March 24, 2025, and is currently undergoing the printing process.

OSFM anticipates that printed copies of the 2024 Code will be ready for distribution and public purchase by July 31, 2025. However, the timeline for the formation of the Residential Code Council relies heavily on the Governor and General Assembly’s appointments.

Impacts on Building Safety

Until the new code’s effective date is confirmed, the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code will remain in force. However, the 2024 Code can be utilized as an alternative method of construction at the request of building owners or their agents. This new code encompasses ten adopted codes, which include various critical areas such as the North Carolina Building, Residential, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing Codes, in addition to the 2023 Electrical Code and Administrative Code and Policies.

The transition to the 2024 Code is of utmost importance for the continued safety and structural integrity of buildings within the state. OSFM is committed to aiding this transition and ensuring that the necessary resources for compliance are accessible. Furthermore, ongoing updates and guidance will be provided to code officials, designers, and builders throughout this process.

Concerns and Future Considerations

Concerns have been raised, particularly by local representatives, regarding how delays in the building code are affecting North Carolina’s position in securing federal funding opportunities related to disaster recovery and climate resilience. The introduction of a provision in a recent recovery funding bill has come under scrutiny, as it is seen as a hindrance to improving safety standards across the state.

The situation is evolving, and stakeholders within the community are urged to stay informed about the developments related to the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code. For gaining insights and accessing vital information, links to the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code as well as the 2018 NC Codes are readily available for public reference.