Embracing Innovation: Utah Statewide Off-Site Construction Program Signed Into Law

Using standards developed by the International Code Council and Modular Building Institute (MBI), Utah is the first state in more than 25 years to create a program to regulate off-site construction.

SB 168, signed into law by Utah Governor Spencer Cox on March 19, 2024, draws upon ICC/MBI Standards 1200 and 1205. Utah joins 39 other states in regulating off-site construction at the state level to support regulatory efficiency and consistency.

Like other jurisdictions, Utah is actively seeking solutions to address the issues of affordable housing, with off-site construction emerging as a promising solution. Off-site construction offers the potential to streamline the building process, reducing labor costs and construction time, thus making housing more affordable and available. By fabricating parts in a controlled environment, off-site construction minimizes material waste and enhances efficiency, further lowering the overall construction expenses.

Utah was previously among 11 states that delegate approvals for off-site construction projects to local jurisdictions, which often lack the expertise or resources to manage them effectively. In response, Utah’s SB 168 establishes a statewide program aimed at facilitating the efficient use of off-site construction. Salt Lake City adopted ICC/MBI Standards 1200 and 1205 in 2021.

SB 168 garnered significant support from stakeholders including manufacturers, homebuilders, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and code officials. Spearheaded by Senator Fillmore and Representative Whyte, the bill received backing from the Utah Commission on Housing Affordability, of which they are members.

“Off-site construction has proven to be a great solution to the affordable housing crisis,” said Code Council Vice President of Innovation Ryan Colker. “This program will help improve the health, safety, affordability and welfare of the built environment in Utah, and the signing of this bill into effect emphasizes the state’s efforts to address the critical need for affordable buildings.”

See Related: Off-Site Construction Solutions Highlighted at Senate Hearing on Housing Supply and Innovation 

Off-Site Construction Standards

Developed by the Code Council and MBI, ICC/MBI Standards 1200 and 1205 are a coordinated set of standards that cover the entire off-site construction process, capturing best practices and supporting a consistent approach to verifying compliance.

ICC/MBI Standard 1200-2021: Standard for Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly in Off-Site Construction provides requirements for designers, manufacturers, transporters and assemblers to assure that off-site construction components are produced under a quality assurance/quality control process and that they can demonstrate compliance with building code requirements.

While ICC/MBI Standard 1205-2021: Standard for Inspection and Regulatory Compliance in Off-Site Construction addresses the compliance verification process including permitting, in-plant and on-site final inspections, third party inspections, the role of Industrialized Building Departments, state modular programs and the authority having jurisdiction.

See Related: International Code Council and MBI Develop New Off-Site Construction Standard

The Code Council and MBI recently published a new off-site construction standard that was approved by the American National Standards Institute on November 3, 2023. ICC/MBI 1210-2023, Standard for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Systems, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation in Off-site Construction, addresses mechanical, electrical and plumbing system elements (MEP) used in off-site construction with respect to energy efficiency, water conservation, planning, designing, fabricating, transporting and assembly within commercial and residential buildings.

To learn more and access the Code Council’s off-site construction resources, click here.