Phoenix adopts International Codes to safeguard public, property

The Phoenix City Council Wednesday night approved the I-Codes developed by the International Code Council as the building safety codes for the city. Councilman Dave Siebert was named the Mayor's representative for the code development process.

The vote followed last week's recommendation from the Phoenix Code Review Committee to adopt the I-Codes. The City Council, initiated by Mayor Phil Gordon and Councilman Siebert, established the Committee at the beginning of the year to complete a technical review of available building safety codes, and make recommendations to the City Council.

"Only through unbiased comparison of competing interests can an informed decision be made, which serves the best interests of the city of Phoenix," said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer James Lee Witt. "Thank you to Mayor Phil Gordon, the Code Review Committee and the Phoenix City Council. Your work will result in a safer, more economically viable future for Phoenix."

The Committee's decision came after a thorough three-month review of construction codes, with multiple meetings and public comments from architects, building owners and managers, engineers, disability rights organizations, fire fighters and concerned citizens.

The resolution (20117, Item 97.1) stated, "The City Manager recommends to the City Council that the I-Codes be used as the model code for the City of Phoenix Construction Code. … (T)ransition to the I-Codes will take less staff time, and require less training for staff and customers, and appears to be less costly for the City as well as the industry."

The city adopted the 2003 International Building, Energy Conservation, Existing Building and Residential Codes.

The I-Codes are used in 48 states at the local or state level. More than 30 Arizona jurisdictions, including nearby Avondale, Cave Creek, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Mesa, Peoria, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tolleson enforce one or more of the I-Codes. Maricopa County, of which Phoenix is the county seat, also has I-Codes in effect.

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.