BUILDING REVIEW BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Provide feedback on significant changes identified through the 2024 Building Code Update
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Dudash, Chief Building Official
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Building Review Board
BACKGROUND:
The following codes establish minimum construction requirements of structures promoting the health, safety and welfare of the people, in addition to establishing minimum requirements of energy conservation and accessibility. The current adopted codes include the following:
• 2018 International Building Code
• 2018 International Residential Code
• 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
• 2018 International Fire Code
• 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2018 International Mechanical Code
• 2018 International Plumbing Code
• 2018 International Existing Building Code
• 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
• 2017 National Electric Code (NFPA 70)
• 2006 International Code Council Electrical Administrative Provisions
• 2018 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) *
• Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Current Edition*
• National Fire Code (NFPA), Current Edition
• Illinois State Plumbing Code, Current Edition*
• Illinois Accessibility Code, Current Edition*
• Local Amendments per Naperville Municipal Code
*Mandated codes
Building codes are ever evolving to keep pace with new technology, materials and trends in the building industry, it is recommended to review and adopt the latest codes on a regular basis to ensure continued quality and safe construction. It should be noted that some codes are mandatory and cannot be amended, unless amendments are stricter than the mandated code. The mandatory codes have been identified with an asterisk (*) above. Since December 2024, committees have been reviewing the new code provisions to identify and discuss significant code changes. The code committees include city staff as well as representatives from the business, building, and residential community, depending upon the code section being evaluated. Input from these groups is integral to the review and eventual adoption of the new code provisions. By establishing teams with members from various sectors, each member can bring expertise to the discussion, with the end goal to reach consensus on codes that meet the needs of the community.
An overview of the 2024 Building Code Update schedule and milestones is provided below in Table 1. Several of the code committees have identified their significant code changes and are now seeking feedback from the BRB. As noted below, this will be one of several times in which the BRB will discuss the significant code changes.
Staff’s goal for the April 16th and August 20th BRB meetings is to present significant changes and receive feedback. Feedback from the BRB on all significant code changes will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting. Staff will seek City Council feedback prior to soliciting formal comments from the building community and public. Following this period, staff recommendations will be brought back to the BRB and City Council.
Table 1: Schedule
|
2024 Building Code Adoption Milestones |
|
Date |
Milestone |
Status |
|
Dec-2024 |
Create and confirm committees |
Complete |
|
Dec-2024 |
Provide documents to committees for review |
Complete |
|
Jan-2025 |
Committees to review and discuss new codes/changes |
Complete |
|
Feb-2025 |
Continue to review and discuss new codes/changes |
Complete |
|
Apr-2025 |
Present significant changes to BRB for discussion |
Complete |
|
May-2025 |
BRB deliberated unrelated variance request |
Complete |
|
June-2025 |
No June BRB meeting |
- |
|
July-2025 |
No July BRB meeting |
- |
|
July/Aug-2025 |
Present significant changes to BRB for discussion. |
Aug 20 |
|
Aug-2025 |
Present significant changes to Council |
|
|
Aug/Sept-2025 |
Prepare documents for public review period |
|
|
Oct-2025 |
Teams complete pre-final draft recommendations |
|
|
Nov-2025 |
Draft text amendments |
|
|
Dec-2025 |
Pre-final draft with Title 5 Text Amendment for Council review |
|
|
Jan-2026 |
Final adoption by City Council - 2024 Codes effective |
|
DISCUSSION:
Upon review of the new code provisions, staff developed a matrix which highlights significant and minor changes being proposed. Significant changes are defined as 2024 and 2021 Building Codes and amendments that differ from the existing 2018 International Building Code requirements and local amendments which may impact the builder/developer/owner financially or cause greater effort to comply. While minor changes reflect current policies or practices the building community is already comfortable implementing and therefore will require little or no additional effort during a project.
City staff will present significant changes for discussion and feedback at the August 20, 2025 Building Review Board meeting. The Significant Changes identified by the Committees to date are listed on Attachment 1, a more condensed list of the top 50 significant changes are listed in Attachment 2.
Notes and Upcoming Discussion Items:
Beyond the significant changes identified and presented on August 20th, there are additional code topics that have either been completed due to advance timelines, have been mandated to the City by the State of Illinois, or will be discussed with the Building Review Board at a later meeting. These topics are outlined below.
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Per state law, the City must follow the 2021 Illinois Energy Code, which is based on the International Energy Conservation Code. The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code is published but has yet to be amended and mandated by the state of Illinois. Only code proposals that would make the Illinois Energy Code requirements more restrictive can be considered per State law. There have been discussions with the Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) regarding the 2023 Illinois Stretch Energy Codes and possible amendments to the 2024 IECC.
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback on significant changes identified through the 2024 Building Code Update.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT 1: Significant 2024 International Building Code changes identified to date
ATTACHMENT 2: Top 50 significant changes List
ATTACHMENT 3: Staff recommendations
ATTACHMENT 4: International Plumbing Code proposed amendments
ATTACHMENT 5: 2024 IBC Section 1009 - Accessible means of egress