NAHB Members Evaluate New Building Code Proposals
In April 2025, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) convened its Building and Structural Proposal Oversight Groups (B-POG and S-POG) at the National Housing Center in Washington, D.C., to evaluate 1,072 code change proposals submitted for Group B of the International Code Council’s (ICC) 2024–2026 development cycle. These groups, under the Construction Codes and Standards Committee, identified 233 proposals for NAHB to support or oppose, focusing on their potential impact on housing affordability, design flexibility, and construction practices. Key proposals supported by NAHB include simplifying the use of salvaged lumber in new buildings and reinstating traditional stair geometry standards (8¼-inch riser height and 9-inch tread depth). Conversely, NAHB opposes proposals such as introducing an appendix for embodied greenhouse gas emissions reporting and adding requirements for water-resistive barrier inspections. These proposals are slated for debate at the ICC Group B Committee Action Hearings in Orlando from April 27 to May 6, 2025.
NAHB encourages its members and stakeholders to participate in the code development process by attending the hearings and providing testimony. The organization emphasizes that active involvement is crucial to ensure that building codes remain practical, cost-effective, and conducive to the construction of safe and affordable housing. By engaging in these discussions, members can help shape codes that balance innovation with feasibility, ultimately benefiting both the industry and consumers.
