Overview

Overview

 

State Building, Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Codes Update

The next state building, fire safety and fire prevention codes are expected to go into effect in early 2026.

The Code Amendment Subcommittee will begin meeting to discuss the proposed 2026 Connecticut state codes on January 10, 2024. For meeting dates, agendas, and meeting minutes, visit the Codes Amendment Subcommittee page

The new Connecticut state codes that will be in effect will be the:

• 2026 Connecticut State Building Code
• 2026 Connecticut State Fire Safety Code
• 2026 Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code

Anticipated Code Adoption Schedule

CAS Workgroups

 

Adopted Model Codes

 

The following model codes are anticipated to be adopted by the 2026 Connecticut state codes:

• 2024 International Building Code (IBC) by ICC
• 2024 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) by ICC
• 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by ICC
• 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) by ICC
• 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) by ICC
• 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) by ICC
• 2024 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) by ICC
• 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (NEC) by NFPA
• 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities by ICC
• 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) by ICC
• 2021 NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code by the NFPA
• 2024 NFPA 1 - Fire Code by the NFPA

 

The model codes are viewable on their publisher's web sites:

• International Code Council (ICC) Codes
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes

The development of Connecticut specific versions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Fire Safety Code (IFC), NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, is expected once the legislative reviews have been completed.

 

Grace Period

The new codes will apply to projects for which a permit is applied for after the effective date. If you have a project that will be significantly impacted by this change in codes, you may apply for a code modification from the Office of the State Building Inspector and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (separate applications) to allow the project to continue under the previously adopted state codes. This process, colloquially known as a grace period, will be available for approximately three months from the effective date. See the code modification web page for more information.

If a municipality requires separate permit applications for each portion of a project (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical etc.), then the primary permit application date will determine the code applicable to all permits for the project. For example, a new house being constructed had its building permit applied for before the new code came into effect, but all associated trade permits were applied for after the new code came into effect. In this case, all permits should be reviewed under the code in effect when the building permit (the primary permit) was applied for.

Care should be taken that the scope of the primary and associated trade permits match - for example, if a development of 20 new houses is broken into four phases of five lots each and a building permit application is submitted for lots 1 through 5, the associated trade permits must also be for lots 1 through 5.

Training

Once the draft codes are ready, the department will be providing free online training on the significant changes in the new codes and other related topics through its learning management system. More information and user instructions are available on the LMS web page.

More Information

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please e-mail the team at das.codesstandards@ct.gov and a team member will get back to you.

Anyone interested in receiving informational and update emails may request to be included by e-mailing DAS.CodesStandards@ct.gov

 

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The Process So Far:

Committee Review 

 

The Code Amendment Subcommittee and Fire Prevention Code Advisory Committee will be reviewing the model code books, alongside the 2022 state code amendments and the public code change proposals received (see below) to determine the need for any changes to the Connecticut specific amendments.

 

Code Change Proposals (CCPs)

 

The committee began accepting Code Change Proposals (CCPs) on March 1, 2024 for the I-codes available at that time. Starting September 1, 2024, the committee will also accept CCPs for the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The submission period will close on October 17, 2024.
 
To view the Code Change Proposals submitted for the 2026 Connecticut State Codes, click here.

 

Public Comment and Testimony

Prior to the adoption of the Connecticut State Building Code, the State Building Inspector shall provide a 45-day public comment period. The public comment period is anticipated to begin in late June 2025.

Public hearings will be held by the agency in conjunction with the Codes and Standards Committee and the Fire Prevention Code Advisory Committee during the 45-day public comment period. Check back for further updates.

 

Public Comments Received

When the public comments period is complete, this page will be updated with the public comments received and the committees’ responses.