Year: 2025

Update on Texas Flash Flooding

Update on Texas Flash Flooding

On July 4, 2025, heavy rainfall overflowed the Guadalupe River in Central Texas, resulting in flash flooding. Tragically, more than 120 deaths have been confirmed in six counties and more than 160 people remain unaccounted for.

The International Code Council offers its heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating event, especially to those mourning the loss of loved ones. We remain actively engaged with our Texas chapters and with federal, state and local agencies to respond to any calls for assistance. The Code Council is in contact with the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) and is assessing ways to support them as they engage in recovery efforts across the state.

The Code Council and the Association of State Floodplain Managers support post-disaster utilization of building officials and floodplain managers through mutual aid agreements and other disaster aid networks to assist impacted jurisdictions and communities in need.

If you are a building official located in the affected areas and you need assistance with building code related issues, please reach out directly to us through your regional Government Relations representative for Texas, Rick Bluntzer.

Disaster Recovery Resources

Protect Safety Codes by Supporting Advancement of the Pro Codes Act

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The Pro Codes Act (H.R. 4072), which ensures non-profit standards developers can continue to self-fund the development and updating of safety codes, will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives in the near future. Join the International Code Council and a broad coalition of building and fire safety organizations by clicking HERE to ask your Member of Congress to support this important legislation.   

America’s codes and standards are vital to ensuring public health and safety and are developed by and for building safety professionals like you. The Code Council reinvests the revenue generated from the sale of the codes you develop in technical staff, IT infrastructure, code development committees and to fund in-person hearings. Each element is essential to ensure top quality codes. This model also allows the Code Council to invest in the future of building safety by providing scholarships, chapter support and educational benefits, career development opportunities and more. Your effort and participation makes the process possible and sustainable.   

In recent years, high-tech companies that contribute nothing to the code development process have been profiting from your efforts. These companies have decided that they can simply take your work and sell it to others without having developed or paid for it themselves. To protect the code development process and prevent unauthorized and erroneous copies of the codes from being published, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, supported by a coalition of standards development organizations, introduced the Pro Codes Act. The Pro Codes Act ensures that the public will have free access to codes and standards while preserving the ownership rights of the code and standard developers.  

Last Congress, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee overwhelmingly advanced Pro Codes by a vote of 19 to 4, but the legislation ultimately failed to advance further. We’re confident that with your help, a reintroduced Pro Codes Act can pass in the coming months. Our homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals are safer, more sustainable and more resilient thanks to the work of our members and these continuously improved codes and standards. Please add your voice to this effort by filling out this form, asking your Members of Congress to support it. 

City of Phoenix Strengthens Building Safety and Accessibility by Adopting the 2024 International Codes®

Phoenix, AZ – On June 18, 2025, the city of Phoenix voted to adopt the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC), becoming the latest major city to adopt ten of the 2024 International Codes® (I-Codes®). This decision comes after careful consideration by the Phoenix City Council and aligns the City’s standards with the latest construction codes and local priorities.

“By adopting the 2024 I-Codes®, Phoenix has become a national leader in building safety, accessibility and sustainability,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer John Belcik. “We commend the Phoenix City Council for recognizing the critical role building codes play in safeguarding communities and their commitment to innovation.”

Updates in the 2024 PBCC include electrical vehicle readiness, water conservation improvements, streamlined permitting, approved alternative building materials and better living space efficiency.

The 2024 PBCC also includes a home design amendment, which enhances standards for specific entrances, hallways, bathrooms and household fixtures to help residents age in place and improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

“Adopting the 2024 I-Codes positions Phoenix to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving built environment while reinforcing our commitment to safe, smart and future-ready development,” said Acting Building Official with the City of Phoenix, Matthew Miles.

Adoption of the 2024 PBCC will go into effect in Phoenix on August 1, 2025, and includes a grace period for projects already underway. Read more about the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code here. 

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About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

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Andy Higgins Appointed to International Code Council Board of Directors

Washington D.C.– The International Code Council appointed Andy Higgins, Customer Success Division Executive Director for the City of Seattle, Washington, Department of Construction and Inspections, to its 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Appointed by Code Council Board President David Spencer, CBO, and ratified by the full Board, Higgins assumed a vacated Director At Large seat on June 10, 2025.  

Higgins brings over 28 years of experience in permitting, construction management and building inspection to the Board. He holds many Code Council certifications including Building Code Official and Master Code Professional and has served on many Code Council committees, including the exam development committees for the International Building Code® (IBC) and the International Residential Code® (IRC), and most recently as Secretary of the ICC Building Membership Council (BMC). Higgins was also the 2023 recipient of the Code Council’s prestigious Emory R. Rodgers Leadership in Building Safety Fellowship. Higgins utilized the fellowship to complete a Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University, supporting his pursuit of an Executive Certificate in Public Policy.  

“Andy’s involvement in critical committees within our organization, paired with his extensive industry knowledge and experience, makes him a strong asset to our Board of Directors,” said Spencer. “I’m confident his perspective and leadership will contribute greatly to the continued growth and success of our organization.” 

Read more about the International Code Council Board of Directors and its mission here.  

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About the International Code Council 
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.