International Residential Code Housing Affordability Analysis: Request for Proposals

The International Code Council is committed to advancing housing affordability while assuring buildings are safe and resilient. The International Residential Code® (IRC) is updated through an iterative process and many of the current provisions are prescriptive in nature. The Code Council believes that a wholistic review of the IRC could identify potential changes for consideration that can reduce costs and simplify the code without degrading existing life safety requirements.  

For these reasons, the Code Council is seeking proposals from professional consulting service providers and/or academic institutions to conduct a study of its IRC to help identify: 

1. Changes that should be considered which can reduce costs/simplify the code without degrading life safety requirements;  
2. Opportunities to simplify the IRC to ensure its better implementation in the field; and  
3. Avenues to improve the overall quality and reduce the size of the IRC.  

The project titled, Promoting Housing Affordability Through the I-Codes, requires a thorough evaluation of the IRC in its entirety. This review will include a section-by-section analysis to quantify contributions to health and safety as well as relative impacts on housing costs (including both costs and benefits). This review will also consider interdependencies between sections. 

The project will also require engagement from key industry stakeholders and expert guidance and consultation from a broad-based, balanced panel of industry experts (the Advisory Committee), a Code Council Board IRC Review Committee (BIRC) and Code Council staff to ensure the study’s rigor and relevance. 

The deadline to submit proposals is April 28, 2025. 

To learn more about the project and how to submit a proposal, please click here.