Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-47 and Ordinance No. 2026-24:  A resolution declaring as a public record "The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code" and an ordinance adopting "The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code."
 

The City of Flagstaff's most recent comprehensive building code adoption updated the City from the 2012 International Codes to the 2018 International Codes and associated standards. The International Code Council (ICC), developer and publisher of the International Codes (I-Codes), publishes updated model codes on a three-year cycle. The City of Flagstaff has historically adopted the International Codes every other code cycle, or approximately every six years. Moving from the 2018 to the 2024 editions maintains this established six-year adoption cycle.
The proposed 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes includes the following model codes and standards:

• 2024 International Building Code (IBC)
• 2024 International Residential Code (IRC)
• 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
• 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
• 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
• 2024 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
• 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
• 2024 International Fire Code (IFC)
• 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)
• 2023 NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC)
• ICC A117.1-2017 – Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

The adoption package also retains the City's existing 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1997 Uniform Administrative Code, and 1997 Uniform Housing Code.
The 2024 codes are proposed for adoption with local amendments developed to address Flagstaff's unique climate and environmental conditions, established construction practices, housing affordability considerations, community priorities, and local administrative requirements. The proposed amendments are intended to tailor the nationally developed model codes to local conditions while maintaining appropriate standards for life safety, public health, durability, resiliency, and building performance.

**Work Session Powerpoint Presentation is included in attachments

City Council adoption of "The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code" will not have a financial or budgetary impact on the organization.

There is no policy impact affiliated with the adoption of "The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code."

There has been no previous Council decision regarding adoption of the proposed 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes. Throughout the code adoption process, staff conducted extensive community and stakeholder outreach, including two public open houses, presentations and discussions with the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals, Housing Commission, Sustainability Commission, and Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, as well as direct engagement with contractors, design professionals, developers, and other community stakeholders. Staff also coordinated closely with Coconino County throughout the adoption process to share information and align proposed requirements where practical. Feedback received through these efforts was considered in the development and refinement of the proposed local amendments.

1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-XX declaring that the document entitled “"The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code" to be a public record.
2. Do not adopt Resolution No. 2026-XX.
3. Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-XX to adopt the "The 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes and Related Amendments to Flagstaff City Code, Title 4, Building Regulations, and Title 5, Fire Code."
4. Modify and adopt Ordinance No. 2026-XX.
5. Do not adopt Ordinance No. 2026-XX.

The City of Flagstaff uses nationally developed model construction codes as the foundation for its building and fire safety regulations. The International Code Council (ICC) develops and updates the International Codes through a national consensus-based process to address changes in construction practices, technology, materials, building performance, and life-safety standards. Local jurisdictions may adopt these model codes and amend specific provisions as necessary to address local laws, administrative practices, climatic conditions, and community needs.
Flagstaff has historically adopted the International Codes with local amendments tailored to conditions unique to the community, including high elevation, significant snow loads, cold-weather construction, energy efficiency, and wildland-urban interface considerations. The City currently operates under the 2018 code cycle and is proposing to transition to the 2024 editions as part of its established six-year adoption cycle. Staff from Building Safety, Sustainability, Fire, and Wildland Fire have reviewed the 2024 codes and developed proposed local amendments intended to maintain appropriate life-safety and building-performance standards while considering constructibility, affordability, sustainability, resiliency, and local conditions.

The proposed adoption of the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes supports the following City of Flagstaff Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) priorities and objectives:

• Safe and Healthy Community
  • Ensure the built environment is safe through the use of consistent standards as well as best practices for building and land use.
  • Provide public safety services with resources, staff, and training responsive to the community's needs.
• Environmental Stewardship
  • Implement and enhance sustainable building practices, waste diversion programs, alternative energy programs, and multimodal transportation options.
  • Implement, maintain, and further the Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP) with awareness of social inequities.
  • Strengthen Flagstaff's resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, and social systems.
  • Promote, protect, and enhance a healthy, sustainable environment and its natural resources.
• Robust and Resilient Economy
  • Enhance relationships between the development community, the City, and Flagstaff residents.
  • Support and strengthen a robust, diverse, and sustainable economy.
• Livable Community
  • Achieve a well-maintained community through comprehensive and equitable code compliance and development.
  • Actively support attainable and affordable housing through the City's 10-Year Housing Plan as well as other projects and opportunities.
• High Performing Governance
  • Serve the public by providing high quality customer service.
  • Implement and communicate innovative and efficient local government programs, new ideas, and best practices.
  • Cultivate community communication and engagement practices that are clear, consistent, and timely.

The proposed adoption of the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes supports the goals and policies of the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045, particularly those related to:

• Public Safety and Community Resilience – Adoption of current building, fire, and wildland-urban interface codes supports safe and resilient development and helps reduce risks associated with structural hazards, fire, wildfire, and other conditions affecting the built environment.
• Energy and Climate Action – Adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and related local amendments advances building energy efficiency, reduces long-term energy consumption, supports renewable-energy readiness, and improves the performance of new buildings.
• Resource Stewardship and Resilience – Updated construction standards support buildings that are better able to respond to Flagstaff's climate and environmental conditions and contribute to long-term community resilience.
• Infrastructure and Public Safety – Current and coordinated construction codes establish consistent minimum standards for safe development and provide a regulatory framework for building, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other building systems.
• Housing and Affordability – Local amendments have been evaluated to balance updated life-safety, energy-efficiency, and resiliency standards with housing affordability, constructibility, and development costs.
• Regional Coordination – The code adoption process has included coordination with Coconino County to promote consistency where practical for contractors, design professionals, property owners, and others working across jurisdictions.

The proposed adoption of the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes supports implementation of the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan by advancing building energy efficiency, renewable-energy readiness, beneficial electrification, and community resilience. The Carbon Neutrality Plan specifically identifies progressively more efficient building codes and movement toward net-zero-energy construction as strategies for reducing community greenhouse gas emissions. Adoption of the 2024 IECC and proposed solar-ready and electric-ready provisions represents an incremental step toward these goals while local amendments seek to balance energy performance with housing affordability, constructibility, and Flagstaff's local climate conditions.

The proposed adoption of the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes has been evaluated in consideration of the goals and strategies of the City of Flagstaff's 10-Year Housing Plan. Staff considered potential impacts of updated construction requirements on housing affordability and development costs and developed local amendments where appropriate to maintain life-safety, durability, energy-efficiency, and resiliency objectives while reducing unnecessary regulatory or cost impacts. Current and consistently administered construction standards also provide greater predictability for developers, design professionals, contractors, and property owners and support the creation and preservation of safe, sustainable, and resilient housing.

The proposed adoption of the 2024 Suite of Building and Fire Codes directly supports the mission and objectives of Planning & Development Services by promoting safe, quality development and reinvestment while protecting Flagstaff's built and natural environment. Updated and coordinated construction codes provide clear and consistent standards for the development community, support efficient plan review and inspection processes, incorporate current construction technologies and best practices, and advance safe, resilient, sustainable, and durable development. The proposed local amendments further support Division objectives by adapting national model codes to Flagstaff's unique conditions while considering constructibility, affordability, and predictable development requirements.