The Code Council and NACO Host Historic Summit on Model Building Codes

On December 4 and 5, 2024, the Native American Code Officials (NACO) and the International Code Council held a historic Summit on Model Building Codes – Tribal Sovereignty, Health, Safety and Economic Empowerment, in Denver, Colorado, at the History Colorado Center. There were representatives from 19 different tribes spanning coast to coast, present for this first-of-its-kind event.

The Summit focused on advancing tribal sovereignty, health, safety and economic empowerment by providing tools, such as adaptable building codes, that tribal nations can customize to align with their unique needs and traditions. It aimed to foster peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, strengthen relationships and identify shared opportunities and strategies to help tribal nations achieve their goals through the effective implementation of building codes.

“This summit was a pivotal moment for advancing building safety within tribal communities. By bringing together tribal code officials, housing experts and key stakeholders, we’ve laid the groundwork for meaningful collaboration and action. We are proud to support this effort and look forward to continuing the work alongside our tribal partners to create lasting impacts,” said John Belcik, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Code Council.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

The summit highlighted several key takeaways about the importance of building codes. These codes enhance physical and mental health, foster community pride and improve safety through features like better ventilation, ADA compliance and fire prevention systems. They must also reflect cultural and environmental relevance by aligning with tribal values, respecting sovereignty and addressing climate resilience and sustainable resource management.

Economically, building codes attract investment, support housing development and empower communities through job creation and improved infrastructure. Building safety code enforcement also protects investments and the start of generational wealth for many Native households who are first-time buyers of homes on Native lands. However, tribes face challenges in adopting and enforcing codes due to funding limitations, knowledge gaps and the need for stronger advocacy within tribal leadership. Collaborative efforts, such as sharing resources, mentorships and best practices, play a crucial role in accelerating progress and avoiding duplicated efforts across tribal communities.

Next Steps Outlined from the Summit

The summit also outlined actionable next steps to advance building code adoption and implementation in tribal communities.

Education and advocacy efforts will focus on creating introductory materials for tribal leadership and sharing case studies of success stories among tribes. Resource development will include a centralized Code Council webpage with tools, templates and tailored case studies, along with ongoing communication through LinkedIn groups, emails and regional meetings.

Community engagement plans involve hosting follow-up summits with the Code Council and NACO, incorporating code discussions into broader tribal conferences, and promoting nation-to-nation learning opportunities.

Policy and funding reforms will emphasize leveraging federal funding to support code adoption, implementation and enforcement while encouraging modular and incremental strategies.

Finally, coalition-building will strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders like NACO and the Code Council and form regional coalitions to address local priorities and bolster implementation efforts.

“Building codes are not just about compliance—they are about ensuring safety, sustainability and cultural integrity for our communities. It’s a delicate balance between respecting traditions and embracing modern solutions. I was pleased to see so many tribal people come together, sharing wisdom and learning from one another. It was an excellent example of the strength and unity within our communities,” said Ellen White Thunder Deputy Director, Lakota Funds.

Welcoming the First Sovereign Chapter of the Code Council

On October 19, 2024, during its meeting in Long Beach, California, the Code Council Board of Directors approved the establishment of NACO as the first Code Council chapter exclusively dedicated to Native code officials. This milestone followed the Board’s introduction and approval of a new chapter category, Sovereign Chapters, with NACO proudly becoming the inaugural chapter under this designation.

To learn more about the establishment of NACO, click here.