Title
2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code Adoption - Citywide
Description
This report provides information to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee on the proposed 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC), that was approved by the Development Advisory Board (DAB).
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Building Construction Code establishes minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through building standards for construction in Phoenix. The Planning and Development Department (PDD) periodically reviews and adopts new construction codes to ensure development standards reflect current trends, safety advances, materials, and technologies. Additionally, the adoption and use of current building codes is a significant component of the City's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating which is used to set property insurance rates and the City’s ability to obtain grants.
Building code adoption in the City of Phoenix is an involved technical process with staff registrants/technical leads working alongside registered engineers/architects and other design professionals in a public process through the Development Advisory Board (DAB). 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, 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, code amendments generally consist of alterations to the national standards to accommodate local conditions and practices. For instance, the City of Phoenix always amends the codes to require minimum cooling which is a life safety issue particular to the desert southwest. PDD staff proposed several amendments consistent with the past code adoption. Members of the public and industry have also proposed amendments. Newly proposed amendment highlights center on electrical vehicle charging infrastructure, reduction in water consumption, easing refrigerant installation in multi-family development, eliminating specific permits to align with PDD process improvements, and compliance with revised Arizona Statutes.
The Phoenix Building Construction Code (PBCC) is comprised of a group of codes from the International Code Council (ICC), as well as the National Electrical Code (NEC), the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), an optional International Green Construction Code (IgCC), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) safety codes for elevators, escalators, and lifts. Together these codes establish the construction requirements for building development in the City of Phoenix. PDD is requesting the continued adoption of both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and UPC to provide consistency for those who have developed under the UPC for decades while allowing a less prescriptive method for customers interested in flexibility and value engineering through the IPC. The PBCC does not include the Phoenix Fire Code, that is administered by the Fire Department.
These amendments will be available for reference on the PDD webpage at:
https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/tools-resources/codes-ordinance/building-code.html
The following codes with amendments comprise the 2024 PBCC:
- 2024 International Building Code (IBC).
- 2024 International Residential Building Code (IRC).
- 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).
- 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
- 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.
- 2023 ASME A18.1, Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts.
- 2022 ASME A17.6, Standard for Elevator Suspension, Compensation, and Governor Systems.
- 2024 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) (optional).
Staff recommends approval per this memo date May 9, 2025 as shown in Attachment A.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The DAB approved the adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code at a public hearing on April 22, 2025.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.