The City of Flagstaff is beginning the process to research and propose moving forward with adopting the latest suite of model building and fire codes—the 2024 Suite of Codes—with local amendments.  The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of building and fire codes, discuss why are codes important and how they connect to the City’s adopted goals, highlight other local and regional code initiatives, and discuss next steps for the code update process moving forward.

A local government can choose to adopt a model building code as their own, which saves them the expense and trouble of developing their own codes. Model codes are intended to be adopted in accordance with the laws and procedures of a governmental jurisdiction. When adopting a model code, some jurisdictions amend the code in the process to reflect local practices and laws.

The International Code Council (ICC), a developer and publisher of model codes, is on a 3-year code update cycle. However, the City of Flagstaff has opted to adopt the model codes every other cycle, or every 6 years. Flagstaff’s adoption cycle aligns with most other jurisdictions across Arizona. The Flagstaff City Council adopted Flagstaff’s current codes—the 2018 Suite of Codes—in June 2019. The 2024 Suite of Codes is published and available for cities to review and consider for local adoption. 

There are many benefits to adopting the latest versions of the suite of codes. Benefits include providing consistent minimum standards, protecting consumers, keeping up with new technology and the rapid evolution of science on wildfire-adapted construction, reduced energy and water use and utility cost savings over time, and lower insurance premiums, to name a few.

In addition, the City has many adopted goals and policies that rely on code updates, including but not limited to those found in the City’s Forest Management Plan (2024), 10-Year Housing Plan (2021), Carbon Neutrality Plan (2021), Water Conservation Plan (2020), and the Regional Plan 2030 (2014), among others. These goals and policies include fostering a fire-adapted community, reducing water and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing community resilience to extreme weather, promoting long-term housing affordability, and more. Further, long-term cost-savings from lower utility costs associated with water and energy efficiency can benefit Flagstaff residents and businesses alike.

Adopting the 2024 Suite of Codes with local amendments presents an opportunity to further align the City’s building and fire codes with its adopted plans, policies, and goals.