Codes & Regulations
International Energy Conservation Code:
Effective March 9, 2016, the International Energy Code became effective. It applies to all projects, residential and commercial, new buildings and additions and some additions that affect the building envelope. There are numerous methods showing compliance with the energy code. One method is using software developed by the International Code Council (ICC).
New Building Code:
Effective October 3, 2016, the International Building Codes went into effect for all construction in New York State outside of New York City. The new codes also include the 2016 New York Code Supplement.
New Regulations & Requirements:
Effective with the new Residential Code of New York State is a requirement to add smoke detectors to existing bedrooms and outside of all sleeping areas and on every floor level of the dwelling whenever a building permit is issued. All smoke detectors are to be interconnected and hard wired. One exception to this is if sheetrock has to be removed to accomplish this, then battery operated smoke detectors may be substituted.
The Residential Code of New York State and the Property Maintenance Code of New York State require new and existing buildings to have premise identification. Buildings are to have address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street. Numbers are to be 4" high with a minimum stroke of ½". A carbon monoxide alarm is to be installed in all new dwelling units and also those dwelling units offered for sale. Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be hard wired or battery operated.
NYS Building Codes:
Links to free copies of the current NYS Building Codes can be found at the New York DOS Division of Code Enforcement and Administration (DCEA) website.