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March 31, 2025
VIA EMAIL ONLY
North Carolina Code Officials
Re: Update Regarding the Effective Date of the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code
Attention North Carolina Code Officials:
I am writing to provide you with an update regarding the effective date of the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code (the “2024 Code”). Pursuant to G.S. § 143-138(d), the 2024 Code was originally slated to become effective on January 1, 2025. Pursuant to S.L. 2024-57, the General Assembly delayed the effective date of the 2024 Code to July 1, 2025. More recently, on March 19, 2025, the General Assembly enacted S.L. 2025-2, which further delays the effective date of the 2024 Code. Section 5.12(b) of S.L. 2025-2 provides that the 2024 Code will become effective 12 months after the State Fire Marshal certifies that the following events have occurred:
(1) The Building Code Council and Residential Code Council have completed all of the following publication and distribution requirements:
a. The initial publication and printing of the adopted 2024 North Carolina State Building Code, including all amendments adopted as of the effective date of this act.
b. The distribution of copies of the initially published 2024 North Carolina State Building Code to all State and local officials and departments who are required to receive copies of the Code under G.S. 143-138(g) without the necessity of a written request.
c. The making of copies of the initial publication of the 2024 North Carolina State Building Code available for purchase by members of the general public.
(2) The Residential Code Council is fully constituted in accordance with the membership requirements set forth in G.S. 143-136.1.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (“OSFM”) has worked diligently to prepare the 2024 Code for printing and publication. The State’s publication partner, the International Code Council (“ICC”®), has received the finally adopted version of the 2024 Code, except for the 2024 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code, and is preparing digital and printed versions of the 2024 Code for distribution. The 2024 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code became a permanent rule on March 24, 2025, after being subjected to legislative review pursuant to G.S. § 150B-21.3 and is moving into publication now. OSFM expects that ICC® will complete its printing and publication process by July 1, 2025. Copies of the 2024 Code will subsequently be distributed to all State and local officials and departments who are required to receive copies of the 2024 Code under G.S. § 143-138(g) and made available for purchase by members of the public by July 31, 2025.
OSFM does not, however, have any influence over the appointment and confirmation of members to the Residential Code Council – that process is controlled by the Governor and the General Assembly. Accordingly, OSFM cannot predict when the Residential Code Council will be fully constituted as required by Section 5.12(b)(2) of S.L. 2025-2.
In the interim, pursuant to Section 102.5 of the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, the 2024 Code may be used as an alternate method of construction at the building owner’s or his agent’s request:
102.5 Interim use of approved rules.
Any rules that are adopted by the Building Code Council and approved by the Rules Review Commission shall be accepted by the Code Enforcement Official as an alternate method of construction prior to the effective date if requested by the owner or his agent.
All ten of the codes that comprise the 2024 Code – (1) the 2024 North Carolina Building Code; (2) the 2024 North Carolina Residential Code; (3) the 2024 North Carolina Existing Building Code; (4) the 2024 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code; (5) the 2024 North Carolina Fire Code; (6) the 2024 North Carolina Fuel Gas Code; (7) the 2024 North Carolina Mechanical Code; (8) the 2024 North Carolina Plumbing Code; (9) the 2023 North Carolina Electrical Code; and (10) the 2024 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies – have been adopted by the Building Code Council and approved by the Rules Review Commission.
I recognize the importance of ensuring that all code officials, design professionals, and builders have sufficient time to transition effectively to the new requirements of the 2024 Code. Until the to-be-determined effective date of the 2024 Code, the 2018 North Carolina State Building Code remains in full force and should continue to be enforced as the governing standard, unless a building owner or his agent requests that the 2024 Code be applied to the project. We appreciate your diligence in maintaining the safety and integrity of building practices across the State and will continue to provide updates and guidance as necessary. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Respectfully,
Brian Taylor
State Fire Marshal
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