It appears that the 2024 NC Administrative Code book is now available for purchase. From our information, the 2024 NC Residential Code is still being worked on and may be available in late March to early April. Ideally, a minimum of six months should be allowed for the entire construction industry to understand all the code changes.

SB 382 (Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes) delayed the effective date of both the commercial and residential codes until July 1, 2025. This means you can apply for a permit under the current 2018 NC Codes until the close of business on June 30, 2025, and complete your project using those codes. However, if you prefer, you may choose to use the new 2024 NC Codes as an alternative.

Why is this delay in the effective date of the codes a positive?

• The 2024 North Carolina Building Codes were not published when SB 382 passed.
• The construction industry needs time to understand what changed in order to price and build projects.

The NC Home Builders Association continues to monitor when the codes will be available online and to purchase. But for now, the Office of State Fire Marshal and the International Code Council (ICC) need to fast track the NC Residential Code. 

The published new 2024 approved codes that focus on residential dwellings and structures are the following:

• 2024 NC Administrative Code (not available to view online at this time - but is available for purchase by clicking this link) 

The unpublished new 2024 approved codes that focus on residential dwellings and structures are the following:

• 2024 NC Residential Code
• 2023 NC Electrical Code 

The NC Residential Code Council is now effective and was created through Session Law 2023-108 (House Bill 488) in 2023, with small modifications to the text through Session Law 2023-137 (House Bill 600). The Governor needs to appoint seven members, and with the advice and consent of a majority of the NC Senate, the new NC Residential Code Council meetings can set their first meeting!

Through Session Law 2023-137 (House Bill 600), the following members are yet to be appointed:

• (7) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall hold an electrical contractor license under Chapter 87 of the General Statutes.
• (8) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall be a licensed professional engineer under Chapter 89C of the General Statutes and specializes in residential construction.
• (9) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall be a Level I or Level II Code-enforcement official employed by a municipality or county.
• (10) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall be a member of the public-at-large.
• (11) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall be a representative of the natural gas industry.
• (12) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall be a fire service representative.
• (13) One member appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation in accordance with Section 5(8) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution, who shall hold a general contractor license under Chapter 87 of the General Statutes and specializes in residential foundations or concrete placement.

If you or someone you know fit the criteria above and would be interested in serving as one of the Governor's appointees to the Residential Code Council, you can apply through this website.

The new 2024 NC Electrical Code (2023 NEC with NC amendments) contains new text in 230.67 that requires that dwellings shall be provided with a surge protection device.

230.67(A) Surge-Protective Device. All services supplying the following occupancies shall be provided with a surge-protective device (SPD):

1. Dwelling units
2. Dormitory units
3. Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels
4. Areas of nursing homes and limited-care facilities used exclusively as patient sleeping room