Title
Public Hearing - Amend City Code - Ordinance Adoption - Adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code with Amendments (Ordinance G-7397) - Citywide
Description
Request the City Council to hold a public hearing on adoption of 15 model codes as amended by the City and request City Council to authorize amendment of Chapter 9-1 of the City Code by repealing the existing Construction Code of the City of Phoenix and replacing said code by adopting these model codes, with amendments by the City, as the new Construction Code of the City of Phoenix.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Building Construction Code establishes the minimum requirements for building construction in Phoenix to protect public health, safety, and general welfare. The Planning and Development Department (PDD) periodically reviews and adopts new construction codes to ensure development standards reflect current trends, safety advances, new materials, and technologies. Additionally, the adoption and use of current building codes is a significant factor in the City's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, which impacts insurance rates and assists with the City’s ability to obtain grants.
Building code adoption in the City of Phoenix is an open and public process. PDD uses a five-step code adoption process for evaluation and adoption of new codes that is consistent with City Council Resolution 19015. This five-step process involves staff review, Development Advisory Board (DAB) subcommittee review, DAB review, City Council subcommittee review, and ultimately City Council adoption. Stakeholder input is solicited throughout the process.
The codes are national standards, therefore, amendments generally consist of alterations to the national standards to accommodate local conditions and practices. For instance, the City of Phoenix always amends the code to require minimum cooling standards, which is critical in Phoenix's climate. PDD staff proposed several amendments consistent with previous code cycles along with new amendments. Members of public stakeholders and industry have also proposed amendments. Newly proposed amendments center on electrical vehicle charging infrastructure, reduction in water consumption, inclusive home design, easing refrigerant installation in multi-family development, eliminating specific permits to align with PDD process improvements, and compliance with revised Arizona Statutes. A high-level summary of the amendments is attached (Attachment A).
The Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC) consists of a group of codes from the International Code Council (ICC), the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Together these codes establish the construction requirements for building construction in the City of Phoenix. The PBCC does not include the Phoenix Fire Code, which is administered by the Fire Department.
These amendments are available for reference in the attachment (Attachment B).
The following codes comprise the 2024 PBCC:
- 2024 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendix E
- 2024 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices BA, BB, BF, BG, BI, BJ, BO, CA, CB, CD, CE, CF, NB, and NE
- 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
- 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
- 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
- 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices C and E
- 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), including Appendices A, B, C, I, and M
- 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- 2022 ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
- 2023 ASME A17.3, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators
- 2022 ASME A17.6, Standard for Elevator Suspension, Compensation, and Governor Systems
- 2023 ASME A18.1, Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts
- 2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) - optional
Financial Impact
Code books and training for staff on the new codes are all included in the PDD's Development Fund. No General Funds will be used for the implementation of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Development Advisory Board approved the adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code per the recommendation of the DAB Subcommittee at a public hearing on April 22, 2025.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning (TIP) Subcommittee approved the adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code per the memo dated May 21, 2025 from the PDD Director at a public hearing held on May 21, 2025. The memo outlined modifications to the amendment proposal to the IRC Section R322 (Inclusive Home Design). The TIP approved amendment for Section R322 is included in Attachment B.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.