This is a request to amend section 9-1-1 of Chapter 9 and section 5-2-1 of Chapter 5 of the Goodyear City Code by adopting recent editions of certain technical codes related to building construction and the 2024 International Fire Code, as well as adopting relevant amendments.

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1646 AMENDING SECTION 9-1-1 (ADOPTION BY REFERENCE) OF ARTICLE 9-1 (TECHNICAL CODES) OF CHAPTER 9 (BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS) OF THE GOODYEAR CITY CODE. and

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1647 AMENDING SECTION 5-2-1 (INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ADOPTED) OF ARTICLE 5-2 OF CHAPTER 5 (FIRE DEPARTMENT) OF THE GOODYEAR CITY CODE. (Katie Wilken, Development Services Director; Cheryl Mullis, Chief Building Official)

There are no new or additional costs to the city created by the adoption of the updated technical codes related to building construction or the 2024 International Fire Code and the amendments thereto. There will be no changes, additions, or deletions to any development fees with this adoption.

Building and fire codes promote the health, welfare and safety of our community by requiring that best practices are followed in the construction, alteration, repair, use, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures within the community. By adopting up-to-date building and fire codes the citizens of Goodyear, design professionals and builders can take advantage of current construction technologies, materials, methods and can benefit from updated building safety requirements, such as exiting, structural issues and fire and life safety concerns.

Consistency and uniformity of codes is important among municipalities within the State of Arizona as the adoption of these uniform codes makes it easier for designers and contractors to build in multiple jurisdictions and allows for more consistent enforcement by Building Safety and Fire personnel. Conformance to the more recent editions of the international technical building codes and the fire code will allow for uniformity and consistency. This "family of codes" is comprised of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fire Code, International Existing Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code, the ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings, NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities Code and Facilities and the NFPA 70 National Electric Code (the “Uniform Codes”). When adopted together, these Uniform Codes work in harmony and provide comprehensive code requirements for regulating buildings and structures within our community.

The city's Uniform Codes were last updated on October 28, 2019 with the adoption of Ordinances No. 2019-1437 and 2019-1438. That update was based primarily upon the 2018 editions of the International Code Council’s codes and the 2018 International Fire Code.

The goal in updating the city's Uniform Codes is to keep local amendments to a minimum.  Similarly, updates to the city's Uniform Codes are typically done on a regular cadence in conjunction with similar updates by other valley cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  Together this ensures consistency and clarity for those following and interpreting the city's Uniform Codes.  

Specifically, the updated Uniform Codes that are proposed for adoption are:

• 2024 International Fire Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Building Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Mechanical Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Plumbing Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Fuel Gas Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Existing Building Code published by the International Code Council
• 2023 NFPA 70 National Electric Code published by the National Fire Protection Association
• 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities published by the International Code Council
• 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design published by the Department of Justice
• 2024 NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities Code published by the National Fire Protection Association
• 2024 International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council
• 2024 International Property Maintenance Code published by the International Code Council

As part of the amendments adopted to the Uniform Codes, the administrative portions of the adopted codes promulgated by the International Code Council have been deleted and replaced with the administrative provisions as provided in the 2024 International Building Code. This greatly reduces duplication of information and provides the public with one location to find answers to our administrative process.

Drafts of the code amendments were posted on the city website, and an e-mail was sent to approximately 400+ contacts in the development community soliciting feedback. The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) requested modifications to energy code requirements that are non-life safety issues, which were incorporated into our amendments. These same amendments have been adopted by Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, Avondale, Phoenix, Chandler, and Gilbert. A letter of support has been received from HBACA.

A Development Advisory Forum was held in November 2025 and was advertised to approximately 400 individuals in the development community. There were approximately 35 attendees and the proposed adoption dates and implementation were discussed. To assist with the transition, staff have proposed flexibility in code implementation that allows an individual seeking a permit for commercial and/or industrial projects up to 90 days after the effective date of the ordinance to request to have the project reviewed under the previously adopted codes and standard plans on file with the city shall be valid for up to one year following the effective date of the ordinance adopting the most recent codes. This proposal is similar to other municipalities adopting code updates such as Surprise and Phoenix.

The International Fire Code shall be effective 30 days after the adoption of the ordinance adopting the 2024 International Fire Code in order to adequately address emerging technologies. Most developers and fire protection contractors are already implementing the new codes and standards.

Staff recommends the adoption of Ordinances No. 2026-1646 (Attachment A) and Ordinance No. 2026-1647 (Attachment B) with all corresponding amendments.