Protect California’s Building Safety Codes – Oppose AB 306

California Assembly Bill 306 (AB 306) is moving rapidly through the legislature and could have serious consequences for building safety and local authorities. It is expected to be voted on in the Assembly later this week.

AB 306 would freeze state code updates for residential units for nearly a decade, and could prevent updates aimed at addressing earthquake risk, flooding, energy storage systems, energy and water utility costs and structure fires. It would also prohibit updates that simplify the code or reduce construction costs, including updates within the 2024 International Residential Code® (IRC) that are estimated to save homeowners as much as $2,200 on newly constructed homes that are built to the 2024 IRC.

FEMA estimates that California’s codes offer the mitigation equivalent of $470 million every year in avoided losses from earthquakes, structure fires, wildfires and flood risks. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that modern model building codes have no appreciable implications on housing affordability.

The International Code Council shares the bill sponsors’ concerns regarding housing affordability and welcomes the opportunity to work together to develop possible solutions. However, because it risks building safety and resiliency updates and restricts the state’s ability to incorporate alternative cost-saving updates, the Code Council joins CALBO, California’s Fire Prevention Officials and dozens of state and national organizations in opposing AB 306.

Act now – voice your opposition to AB 306 by clicking here.