NYS Uniform Code and Energy Code Update

On March 9, 2016, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council completed a major update to the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code). The Notice of Adoption of the rule updating the Uniform Code was published in the April 6, 2016 edition of the State Register. The rule updating the Uniform Code incorporates the following documents by reference:

• 2015 International Building Code
• 2015 International Residential Code
• 2015 International Existing Building Code
• 2015 International Fire Code
• 2015 International Plumbing Code
• 2015 International Mechanical Code
• 2015 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2015 International Property Maintenance Code
• 2016 Uniform Code Supplement

Effective Date

The updated version of the Uniform Code becomes fully effective on October 3, 2016. However, during the transition period running from the date of publication of the Notice of Adoption (April 6, 2016) and the fully effective date (October 3, 2016), regulated parties submitting a complete building permit application may comply with either the current version of the Uniform Code or with the updated version of the Uniform Code.

NYS Energy Code Update

On March 9, 2016, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council adopted a rule updating the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (Energy Code). The Notice of Adoption of the March 9 rule was published in the April 6, 2016 edition of the State Register. On August 25, 2016, the Code Council adopted a rule amending the March 9 rule. The Amended Notice of Adoption of the amended rule updating the Energy Code will be published in the September 21, 2016 edition of the State Register. The amended rule updating the Energy Code update incorporates the following documents by reference:

• 2015 International Energy Conservation Code
• 2013 ASHRAE 90.1
• 2016 Supplement to the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code (Revised August 2016)

Effective Date

The amended rule updating the Energy Code becomes effective on October 3, 2016. There is no "transition period" for the Energy Code.

Public access to the ICC Codes;

The ICC 2015 codes adopted by New York State can be viewed at no cost at; http://codes.iccsafe.org/New%20York%20State.html#2015

Code Books

Local municipalities that submit their annual Code Enforcement and Administration report to the Division of Building Standards and Codes will receive copies of the newly adopted Uniform Code and Energy Code books. In addition to code books, municipalities will receive a one year electronic subscription to the newly adopted codes and a one year Governmental Membership to the International Code Council.

Copies of the 2015 International Codes and many other incorporated standards can be purchased from the International Code Council at http://shop.iccsafe.org/state-and-local-codes/new-york-state.html, or call (888) 422-7233. The 2016 Uniform Code and Energy Code Supplements can be downloaded from our website (www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA), at the links below;

2016 Uniform Code Supplement

2016 Supplement to the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code (Revised August 2016)
"Revised August 2016" version was posted on the website on September 2, 2016, your copy is not current if you downloaded it before that date.