International Green Code Exemption Sought 

The International Code Council (ICC) completed work in December on a new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) that, as it currently stands, would apply to apartment properties, if adopted on the local level. NAA/NMHC are actively seeking an exemption for apartment firms because the code, as written, would be extremely onerous and, in some cases, unachievable for apartment firms.

The IgCC is the first model code for green buildings. It includes comprehensive requirements for building environmental performance such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, site development and materials selection. It is not a standalone document, but rather an “overlay” code, meaning that jurisdictions can choose to adopt it in addition to existing building, energy and fire codes.

Earlier versions of the code allowed multifamily buildings to comply with the NAA/NMHC-supported National Green Building Standard (ICC-700, NGBS) in lieu of the IgCC. However that exception was removed by the ICC Board of Directors late last year. A proposal to restore the multifamily exclusion was rejected at final hearings on the code earlier this month. NAA/NMHC, NAHB and BOMA are appealing to the ICC Board to exempt apartments and are hoping for action by the end of this year or early 2012.

Since residential development was originally excluded from the code’s scope, the IgCC was developed without input from the apartment sector and would require use of products and practices not typically used and not fully vetted for multifamily construction. Conversely, NAA/NMHC were directly involved in the development of the NGBS—the first green building standard for all residential construction.

Of note, the NGBS and the IgCC have substantially different formats. While the NGBS is a points-based system, which allows developers to decide what practices to incorporate in a project, the IgCC requires the local adopting authority to decide what will be mandatory for their jurisdiction during the adoption process.

NAA/NMHC members should be aware of any actions to adopt the IgCC in their jurisdiction. Apartment firms should advocate for inclusion of a full multifamily exemption and an alternative compliance option allowing apartment firms to follow the NGBS.

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