Building codes usually come up in the context of safety – a properly constructed building can help prevent injury or death from fires, earthquakes, and extreme weather. But they’re also essential for ...

Each column, a new author will feature an article from one of the International Code Council (ICC) building, fire, mechanical, plumbing, residential (one and two family), energy conservation, and ...

The City Council voted to cancel updated energy-saving rules. Quinton Lucas should veto it to save homeowners and renters big ...

1. Slower Approvals And Higher Soft Costs: With many jurisdictions preparing 2026 updates, clarification requests spike, delays compound and soft costs rise. Even before financing or construction, ...

As the United States faces a mounting housing affordability crisis, a debate is intensifying between home builders and code officials over how best to balance costs, safety, and long-term efficiency ...

Building Safety Month, an annual public awareness campaign led by the International Code Council (ICC), returns on May 1, 2026, with this year’s theme, “Built to Last.” The campaign highlights how ...

A Supreme Court decision in April strengthened the hand of organizations striving to broaden access to building codes. In a 5–4 ruling, the court found for the defendant in Georgia v.

In an ideal world, architects would have free reign to design whatever they imagined. But the reality of the profession is that it comes with strings attached, and our visions are limited by clients, ...

Safe Homes, Strong Communities” focuses on simple actions homeowners can take to improve safety at home. Week Two (May 11—17): “Voices of the Built Environment” spotlights building safety ...

Building codes and local, state and federal laws can present a labyrinthine path to securing the approvals, permits and compliance with legislation required to commence construction of a new or ...

You love your home. It's your personal haven, your biggest investment. Yet beneath that familiar comfort lurks something most ...

CLIMATEWIRE | The annual federal assessment of the nation’s disaster preparedness for the first time cites problems with out-of-date state and local building codes, which have left millions of homes ...