Building codes and industry standards have an important impact on the apartment sector and NMHC has an extensive history in supporting the development of national model codes and standards. We advocate for codes and standards that are technologically feasible, cost-effective and address the unique needs of the multifamily industry. Our work strives to ensure that new codes and standards do not unnecessarily undermine the affordability and availability of housing while supporting advances in building construction and operation.
National model building codes and standards establish minimum requirements for the design, construction, alteration and maintenance of structures and routinely serve as the basis for state and local building codes. Model codes and standards are developed and published by independent organizations, based on the participation of a diverse group of stakeholders, including code officials, builders, product manufacturers, health and safety advocates and industry representatives. The international model codes are produced by the International Code Council (ICC), while several other organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and others publish additional building codes and standards.
These codes and standards are not in effect or enforceable until they are adopted by a state or local jurisdiction. Accordingly, they are designed so that state and local governments may customize model codes and standards to accommodate specific jurisdictional conditions and ensure they meet the needs of their communities. Model codes and standards may therefore be adopted only in part or amended before enactment at the state and local level.
Model codes and standards are generally not retroactive; rather, they apply to new buildings constructed from the time of adoption forward. However, some model provisions are specifically intended to apply to existing structures. Such provisions are found in the International Building Code, the International Fire Code and International Property Maintenance Code.
- NMHC has long-served as a member of numerous code and standard development committees of significant interest to the apartment industry.
- NMHC is a recognized partner of the nation’s code and standard setting organizations. We have served in various roles to advise, support and contribute to efforts that advance the goals of model codes and standards.
- NMHC collaborates with our industry partners, code and standard stakeholders and the code- and standard-setting organizations to develop cost-effective and practical model codes and standards for use across the multifamily sector. This includes serving on code and standard development committees, crafting code proposals, representing the multifamily sector at code hearings, developing code commentary, collaborating with local code officials and serving as a resource for the code- and standard-making organizations.
For over 30 years, NMHC has served as a leading advocate for the apartment industry in the development of building codes and standards.
Throughout the development process, we monitor proposals for the practical impacts to apartment properties and the cost of implementing new codes. Unnecessary and prohibitive increases in the construction costs of apartment communities limits the affordability of rental units and aggravates the shortage of affordable housing that already exists in the U.S.
- International Building Code (IBC) – The IBC is a comprehensive code providing requirements for all buildings, except one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories. It contains broad-ranging provisions that regulate building systems and structural requirements; including, fire protection systems, accessibility, indoor environmental quality, and structural design measures.
- International Fire Code (IFC) – The IFC covers general fire precautions, emergency planning and preparedness; including, fire department access, water supplies, sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and maintenance of fire protection equipment in existing buildings.
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – The IECC addresses building energy efficiency and provides requirements for the energy design and performance of building systems; including, the building envelope, lighting, mechanical systems and water systems.
- International Green Construction Code (IgCC) – Provides comprehensive requirements for site and building environmental design and performance; including, land development, material selection, energy and water efficiency and indoor air quality.
- International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) – Provides requirements for the continued use and maintenance of plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems in existing buildings.
- National Green Building Standard (ICC 700) – Provides a comprehensive rating system for improving the environmental design and performance of residential buildings and building sites. Includes provisions addressing land use, material selection, energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality and resident education.
- Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC A117.1) – Provides the technical requirements for accessibility in commercial and residential occupancies and is aligned with provisions from the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). The International Building Code specifies the applicability of A117.1.
- Code Change Submittal. Any interested person or organization may submit a proposed code change. The deadline for submitting code change proposals occurs two to three years before a new code edition is published. When appropriate, NMHC develops and/or supports code change proposals to address the needs of the apartment sector.
- Code Change Review. At the beginning of each code cycle, the ICC publishes all proposals for public review. During this period, NMHC analyzes the proposals and identifies those having repercussions for multifamily properties. Throughout the process, we advocate for codes and standards that are technologically feasible, cost-effective and reflect the needs of the apartment industry.
- Committee Action Hearings (CAH). Approximately two months after code change proposals are published, the ICC holds public code development hearings allowing interested parties to testify before the Code Development Committees in support of or in opposition to a proposed change. We routinely testify at these hearings to ensure that the code committees understand the issues important to the apartment industry. After testimony is complete, the committee recommends accepting or denying a code change proposal.
- Second Committee Action Hearings (NEW). Beginning with the development of the 2027 codes, ICC has instituted a second CAH that provides an additional opportunity for participants to provide information and for code committees to consider code proposals.
- Combined Public Comment Hearings (PCH) (NEW) and Publication. After the CAHs, the ICC publishes hearing results and invites the submittal of comments on the CAH decisions. NMHC reviews the hearing results and comments as necessary. Beginning with the development of the 2027 codes, ICC will now hold combined Public Comment Hearings on the Group A and B codes. This provides a final hearing opportunity allowing interested parties to offer testimony on the public comments and CAH recommendations. After testimony is completed, ICC voting members (largely code officials) from the larger ICC membership vote for or against code change proposals. The ICC then incorporates all approved proposals into the next editions of the I-Codes.
- State and Local Adoption. The revised codes are not in effect until adopted by a state or local jurisdiction. Advocacy on behalf of the apartment sector at the state and local level can help policymakers understand the impacts of new codes on housing constructability and affordability. Accordingly, model codes can be amended or adopted only in part before implementation by jurisdictions.
The ICC publishes a suite of International Model Codes (I-Codes) and Standards. While NMHC broadly tracks and engages in ICC’s development efforts, codes and standards of particular significance for the apartment industry include:
The ICC Code Development Process
ICC codes are updated and published every three years and NMHC participates in every step of the process. The ICC process is designed to promote transparency, diverse stakeholder participation and due process in code development and utilizes a system of code committees, public comments and hearings and appeals opportunities. Although a broad array of experts contribute to the process, government representatives (i.e., code officials) make the final determinations on code provisions.
ICC divides code development activities into two groups - Group A and Group B – and assigns each code to one of these groups. Action on each group is staggered with independent timelines and deadlines, but all new code editions are published at the same time.
The code change process is detailed below.
ICC Standard Development Process
ICC Standards are developed using an alternate process that significantly differs from the ICC code development system and timeline. While ICC standards development follows the code process in providing opportunities for public participation and transparency, standards development does not involve formal hearings or ICC membership-wide votes. Interested parties can still submit proposed changes to the standards, while the committee also develops changes through their deliberation. Anyone is invited to submit comments on change proposals and participate in the committee discussions. However, the standards process does not include formal hearings comparable to the ICC system, and final determinations are made by the committee members.
Learn More About the Current Code Cycles
- Fire Code (NFPA 1)
- National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72)
- Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
- Building Construction and Safety Code (NFPA 5000)
- National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
- ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
- ASHRAE Standard 189.1 – Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) produces over 300 standards and codes. While the NFPA documents can be adopted locally, they are typically enacted indirectly by reference in the I-Codes. This means that the document is not independently vetted at the time of adoption, but rather is included in an I-Code during the code’s development process. Unless otherwise noted, the codes and standards referenced in an I-Code become part of the jurisdictional compliance requirements at the time such code is adopted. I-Codes may include dozens of references to other codes and standards.
NMHC routinely monitors and participates in the development of the following NFPA codes and standards:
Like ICC, NFPA develops standards using the ANSI consensus process; although, the procedure differs slightly. NFPA documents are updated on a three-year cycle. Anyone can submit proposed changes; however, participation is limited to committee members unless specific permission is asked for and granted prior to the committee meeting.
ASHRAE Standard Development
Like NFPA, ASHRAE develops ANSI standards that are updated every three years. However, some standards are on continuous maintenance, meaning that these standards are updated continuously through addenda to the existing standard. They can be adopted locally, but are most often referenced by the I-codes. Participation in the development process and distribution of committee correspondence is limited to committee and subcommittee members with participation by others at the discretion of the chair.
NMHC tracks and participates in the development of the following ASHRAE standards:
