Montana, Utah, Colorado, Maine adopt International Codes statewide

The International Codes developed by the International Code Council are being adopted by state governments throughout the nation.

Montana's Building Codes Bureau of the Department of Labor and Industry adopted new building codes effective March 12. The Building Codes Bureau will now enforce the 2003 International Building, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical and Residential Codes. Certified local government building code jurisdictions have 90 days to adopt the codes.

Utah Governor Olean Walker signed a bill into law March 17 clarifying the authority of the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission to adopt residential, fuel gas and energy codes. The 2003 International Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Residential Codes went into effect statewide Jan. 1.

The Colorado State Housing Board, Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) adopted the 2003 International Building, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Residential Codes, effective March 30. The codes cover factory built housing, factory built non-residential buildings, and all motels, hotels and multi-family construction in areas in the state where no codes exist.

Maine Governor John Baldacci signed a bill into law March 30 creating the Maine Model Building Code. The state code is comprised of the 2003 International Building and Residential Codes. Jurisdictions in the state can voluntarily adopt the new code for their communities.

At the local level, the number of jurisdictions adopting and enforcing the I-Codes continues to grow.

The International Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical Plumbing and Residential Codes went into effect in the City of Sioux Center, Iowa, on Jan. 26. The City of Boone, also in Iowa, began enforcing the International Building and Residential Codes Feb. 17. On the same day, the International Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical Plumbing and Residential Codes went into effect in the City of DeSoto, Texas.

Shawnee, Okla., adopted the 2003 International Building Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing and Property Maintenance Codes, and ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions, and the Shawnee Fire Marshal's Office adopted the 2003 International Fire Code, all effective Feb. 20. Pueblo, Colo., adopted the 2003 International Building Code Feb. 23, and put it into effect immediately. In the City of Pflugerville, Texas, as of Feb. 24, the International Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Existing Building, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Property Maintenance, and Residential Codes and the ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions are in use.

The Village of Oak Park, Ill., on March 1, adopted the 2003 International Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, and Residential Codes and the ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provision, effective April 1. On March 3, the Town of Dauphin Island, Ala., adopted the 2003 International Building, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical Plumbing, Property Maintenance and Residential Codes and the ICC Electrical Code Administrative Provisions, effective March 9. At its March 23 meeting, the Pauls Valley (Okla.) City Council adopted the 2003 International Building, Existing Building, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing, Property Maintenance and Residential Codes.

The Goodyear City (Ariz.) Council voted unanimously to adopt the 2003 International Building, Energy Conservation, Mechanical Property Maintenance and Residential Codes with amendments, effective July 1.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.