International Codes adoptions update
In June, Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney hosted a ceremonial signing of an ordinance that adopts the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) into law for commercial construction. The new order — which will take effect in October 2018 — will make new commercial and multifamily buildings within Philadelphia more efficient and safer.
International Code Council government relations staff worked closely with Philadelphia’s Chief Code Official Michael Fink who was influential in the city’s adoption of the new building code. “I’m proud of our collaboration with the International Code Council and our elected officials at the state and city levels,” Fink said. “We are excited to see the city of Philadelphia take the necessary steps to make building safety and efficiency a priority. We have not adopted new codes since 2009 and I’m very confident that the 2018 IBC will address the problems we experienced due to following the outdated code.”
Philadelphia joins Phoenix, Ariz.; St. Louis, Mo.; Gillette, Wyo.; and Live Oak, Odessa, and San Antonio, Texas, as some of the first jurisdictions to adopt some or all of the 2018 International Codes (I-Codes).
On July 1, the 2018 IBC and International Property Maintenance Code went into effect as the state codes for South Dakota. In April, the state of Washington adopted portions of the 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code by statute. Recently, Jamaica agreed to update its building codes to the I-Codes and the U.S. Virgin Islands adopted the 2018 International Building, Residential, Fire, Mechanical, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes.
Click here to view the latest code adoptions.
About the Author
Madison Neal is the External Communications Manager at the International Code Council. She joined the ICC staff in September 2017. Madison specializes in digital communications, podcast production, and social media strategy. Before this role, she was the Social Media Manager for the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn. Madison holds a B.A. in Communications Media Studies from Northeastern University.
Tara Lukasik is an editor for the International Code Council, working out of its Western Regional Office in Southern California. Starting with the International Conference of Building Officials as the managing editor of its Building Standards Magazine, she has more than 25 years of experience in writing and editing feature content and advancing digital newsletters and magazines from conception to completion. She is currently putting her experience to good use managing the Code Council's Building Safety Journal and its BSJ Weekly newsletter, which connects construction professionals with the Code Council community and the latest industry news and resources. A California native, she enjoys volunteering in her local community and exploring the Golden State with her husband and three spoiled dachshunds. Follow her on Twitter @ICCTLukasik and Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/taralukasik.
