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Earlier today, Governor Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 382 for reasons unrelated to the code delay. If the General Assembly successfully overrides the veto, the effective date for the 2024 NC Residential Code — and all state building codes — will shift to July 1, 2025. This extension would allow permits for buildings (both commercial and residential) to continue under the 2018 NC Codes until June 30, 2025.
It is important to note, you may use the 2024 NC Codes as an alternative method from this day forward.
Why is this a positive development? Three good reasons.
- It helps those impacted by Hurricane Helene to rebuild without code confusion.
- The 2024 North Carolina Building Codes are not yet published and available.
- The construction industry needs to know what changed to price and build future projects.
We are closely monitoring when the codes will be available online and for purchase, and will notify everyone as soon as they are ready. In the meantime, we urge the Office of State Fire Marshal and the International Code Council (ICC) to expedite the release of the NC Residential Code. Historically, a six-month period between the release of code books and their effective date is essential to give the construction industry sufficient time to review and adapt to any changes.
The unpublished new 2024 approved codes that focus on residential dwellings and structures are the following:
The NC Home Builders Association will continue to closely monitor this situation. If the NC General Assembly overrides the Governor's veto, the bill would provide relief not only to hurricane-affected areas but to the entire state.
NCHBA sought several provisions in SB 382 to reduce regulatory obstacles in order to speed up the rebuilding process in western NC. You can learn more about those provisions by reading our most recent Legislative Report or watching our Legislative Update video.
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