Idaho

Current Codes

Idaho Building Code

Code Type: Residential, Commercial

Based on: 2009 IECC Mandatory

Date Effective: Saturday, January 1, 2011

Date Passed: Tuesday, June 8, 2010

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

Updated codes are adopted every three years by the Idaho Legislature as they are revised by the International Code Council. Code amendments are adopted by the Idaho Building Code Board.

Code Change Cycle:

Three-year code review cycle, concurrent with the publication of new editions of the model codes.

Next Code Update:

As of January 1, 2011, all Idaho jurisdictions will be required to comply with the 2009 IECC.

History

Idaho was the last state in the Northwest to adopt a non-residential energy code. In 1996 it had no statewide energy code, though the City of Idaho Falls and Kootenai County enacted the Northwest Energy Code (NWEC) in 1989, which included by reference ASHRAE 90.1-1989. In 1999, all state buildings were required to meet ASHRAE 90.1-1989. By 2002, the 2000 IECC had been adopted for all state buildings.

Idaho approved its first statewide commercial energy code along with new residential energy standards through House Bill 586 on March 27, 2002. The legislation required local governments that issue building permits and enforce building codes to adopt the 2000 IECC by January 1, 2003.

On March 23, 2004, House Bill 756 was signed into law, updating the Idaho Building Code Act (Idaho Statutes Title 39, Chapter 41) to include the 2003 IECC. The new code became effective January 1, 2005.

On March 26, 2007, the governor signed HB 137, which made the 2006 IECC mandatory for new buildings statewide effective January 1, 2008.

One April 17, 2009, the governor signed H0220, adopting the 2006 editions of the IBC, IRC, and IEBC, as well as reaffirming the use of the 2006 IECC.

After approval by the state legislature in 2010, the Idaho Division of Building Safety’s Building Code Board has moved to adopt the 2009 IECC. On June 8, the Board met to consider proposed amendments to the 2009 IECC. Ken Baker of K Energy presented webinars on the residential and commercial differences between the 2006 and 2009 editions of the IECC. As of January 1, 2011, all Idaho jurisdictions will be required to comply with the 2009 IECC.

The Association of Idaho Cities will be holding its annual Idaho Energy and Green Building Conference on October 20-21 in Boise.

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

Zones 5B and 6B (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)

Population:

1,545,801 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 6,470
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 5,673
2 units: 190
3 and 4 units: 280
5 or more units: 327
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

Single family dwelling:5,673 (-41% less than previous year), and with an avarage value of $185,000 per unit
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

16.28 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Petrolium: 31.3% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total annual consumption of 529.6 Trillion Btu (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

5,417.1 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

45% of the state’s natural gas supply is used for heating the home.

Natural gas is the largest consumed source of energy for the state’s residential sector

Residential use of natural gas in Idaho costs $12.05/thousand cu ft, exceeding the national average.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, annual average temperature in the Northwest region rose about 1.5°F-4°F over the past century, with projected increases of 3 to 10°F by the end of this century. Climate change is predicted to cause increases in winter precipitation and decreases in summer precipitation. Some changes are already occurring such as changes in snowpack, streamflows, sea level, forests, and other important aspects of life in the Northwest are already underway, with more severe impacts expected over the coming decades in response to continued and more rapid warming.

Although Idaho does not have a Climate Action Plan of its own, they joined the Western Climate Initiative as an observer organization. This initiative aims to reduce emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is addressing emissions reductions through the creation of a Greenhouse Gas Working Group consisting of one point of contact from each state department and agency. 15 state agencies have completed greenhouse gas inventories and the working group created a Greenhous Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan for 2008-2009. In addition, DEQ issued a permit requiring a new power plant to cut emissions by 58% of what comparable plants currently emit.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

If Idaho began implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and homeowners would save an estimated $24 million annually by 2020 and $47 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).

Additionally, implementing the latest model codes would help avoid about 9 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 0.51 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.

A 2010 BCAP analysis indicates that the weighted average incremental construction cost of upgrading to the 2009 IECC in Idaho would be $872.81 per home. On average, the annual energy savings per home would be $235.50, meaning the simple payback for homeowners would occur, on average, in 3.71 years. These estimates are conservative and represent the upper bound on incremental cost.

Resources

Idaho Strategic Plan for 2009 IECC Compliance

posted by Mark Lessans
Baseline Characteristics of the 2002-2004 Nonresidential Sector: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington

posted by Anonymous
Third Market Progress Evaluation Report: Evaluation of NEEA Codes and Standards Program

posted by Eric Plunkett
The Code Value Proposition

posted by Eric Plunkett
Idaho Fact Sheet

posted by Paul Karrer

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Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Adopt Mandatory Codes		Residential: Idaho’s mandatory statewide residential code is the 2006 IECC. Commercial: Idaho’s mandatory statewide commercial code is the 2006 IECC.
Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process		Idaho follows a three-year code review cycle. The latest code adoption occurred in April 2009.
Create a Regulatory Process		Idaho has a legislative process. Updated codes are adopted every three years by the Idaho Legislature as they are revised by the International Code Council. Idaho Code Chronology
Improve Compliance		Residential: Enforcement of building and energy codes is handled by local building code adopters through the permitting process. REScheck may be used to show compliance Commercial: Enforcement of building and energy codes is handled by local building code adopters through the permitting process. Energy code enforcement for state facilities and modular prefabricated buildings are handled by the Idaho Division of Building Safety. COMcheck may be used to show compliance
Eliminate Weakening Amendments
Add Strengthening Amendments
Allow Innovation at the Local Level
Set Milestones
Adopt Green Codes		Statewide Order: Energy Efficient State Building Act, 2008 Description: A building project constructed by or renovated by a state agency or for occupancy or use by a state agency that is larger than 5,000 gross ft2 of occupied or conditioned space, must be 10-30% more energy efficient than similar buildings on similar sites. Energy Standard: 10-30% reduction in energy use compared to similar building.

August 2009

Resources:

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
There are seven local goverment members located in Idaho:
Ada County,Blaine County, Hailey, Ketchum, Moscow, Sandpoint, and Sun Valley.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Six Idaho Mayors who have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
Bellevue, Boise, Hailey, Pocatello, Sandpoint, and Sun Valley.

Western Governors' Association
www.westgov.org
Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter is an active participant.

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional Support and State Offices:
Ms. Janice Moy
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4525
JMoy@iccsafe.org

Mr. Kraig M. Stevenson, C.B.O.
Senior Regional Manager
2122 - 112 Avenue NE,
Suite B100
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 7603
KStevenson@iccsafe.org

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