1. Construction Code Modernization
  2. Construction Code Amendments

Construction Code Amendments

Body

Houston Amendments Addendum

The following proposed Houston Amendments are an addendum to the 2021 Building Codes that reflect the 2021 codes as they will be shown in the 2021 Houston Construction Code. The proposed amendments will be available for public comment until June 17, 2023:

Code Analysis

Code analysis began in June 2022 and is expected to be completed in November 2022. Each code analysis compares the 2015 codes to the 2021 codes and includes proposed local changes. Once a code analysis is posted, a 30-day public comment period will begin. Comments must be submitted through the Code Amendment Proposal form.  

Task Force Group 1: Building & Fire Codes

Timeline of TFG-1 showing completed milestones

Public comments are no longer available for the building and fire codes. The proposed amendments are under review by the Legal department. Once complete, the proposed amendments will be presented to the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure (TTI) Committee later this year. A public notice will be provided once the TTI meeting has been scheduled.

The following links are provided for reference only and reflect the 2021 codes as they will be shown in the 2021 Houston Construction Code:

 

Task Force Group 2: Residential & Pool Codes

Timeline of TFG-2 showing completed milestones

Public comments are no longer available for the residential and pool codes. The proposed amendments are under review by the Legal department. Once complete, the proposed amendments will be presented to the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure (TTI) Committee later this year. A public notice will be provided once the TTI meeting has been scheduled.

The following links are provided for reference only and reflect the 2021 codes as they will be shown in the 2021 Houston Construction Code:

 

Task Force Group 3: Energy Conservation & Performance Codes

Timeline of TFG-3 showing completed milestones

Public comments are no longer available for the energy conservation codes. The proposed amendments are under review by the Legal department. Once complete, the proposed amendments will be presented to the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure (TTI) Committee later this year. A public notice will be provided once the TTI meeting has been scheduled.

The following links are provided for reference only and reflect the 2021 codes as they will be shown in the 2021 Houston Construction Code:

 

Task Force Group 4: Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Codes

Timeline of TFG-4 showing completed, current, and future milestones.

The code analysis has been updated and is available for public comment until May 27, 2023: 

The following proposed Houston Amendments reflect the 2021 codes as they will be shown in the 2021 Houston Construction Code. The proposed amendments will be available for public comment until June 8, 2023:

 

Code Amendment Proposal Process  

To ensure the code amendment process captures the needs of the larger community while protecting the health and safety of Houston’s citizens, we ask that you submit your proposed amendment through your technical association or professional organization. All code submittals will be reviewed. If the City receives multiple submittals concerning the same code, the Task Force Group will determine one submittal that best represents what is being requested. Code submittals through trade associations and organizations will take precedence in the code review process.   

The criteria for all code amendment proposals: 

  • You must submit a separate form per code section
  • Proposed code amendments must be in legislative format (i.e. Underline new words and strikethrough deleted words)
  • Sufficient justification and supporting documentation must be provided, including
    • the need for a code clarification,
    • Houston-specific historical data of physical injuries, loss of life or property,
    • the intended increase in effectiveness,
    • increased safety impact, enforceability, and/or unique local conditions that warrant such addition or modification to the 2021 Codes.
  • Sufficient information must be provided to substantiate the cost impact of the proposed code change to the nationally promulgated code. You must indicate whether the proposed code change will:
    • not increase the cost of construction,
    • increase the cost of construction, or
    • decrease the cost of construction.

The Houston Public Works mandate for this code adoption is to adopt the 2021 Code Editions as a base code with local amendments that

  • Help strengthen and ensure long-term sustainability and resiliency in Houston,
  • Do not reduce the fire- or life-safety provisions without providing an equivalency to what's found in the base code, and
  • Comply with the intent of the code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety for the purpose intended.

A proposal that does not follow the above criteria will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. A proposal submitted outside of the public comment period will not be accepted.

All proposals must be submitted electronically. Handwritten forms will not be accepted.

Submit a Code Amendment Proposal Form.