Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2025 09 25

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SUBJECT: 2024 INTERNATIONAL CODE SERIES ADOPTION — EVC REVIEW DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 PAGE 3 OF 5 local amendments. These amendments can address local preferences, ensure compliance with state -level regulations, and must comply with other legal standards and federal regulations. There are numerous changes between the City -adopted 2018 !- Codes and the 2024 I -Codes. Attachment No. 6 is a summary of some of the major changes between these code versions. International Energy Conservation Code Options The BCBOA recommendation is to adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code with minimal amendments. The code would allow Prescriptive Compliance or Simulated Building Performance paths for commercial development and Prescriptive Compliance, Simulated Building Performance, or Energy Rating Index pathways for residential development. There are mandatory minimum performance standards for the thermal envelope of the building regardless of the pathway used, which are not included in the Cohort code version. This version of the code would not include mandatory all - electric heat pump space and water heating for commercial development or include mandatory energy modeling standards as exist in the City's current version of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. Adoption of this code version would be more straightforward to administer and could be considered more business -friendly and easier to use and implement for design professionals and builders working in Louisville. The base code has been vetted nationally and would still provide improved building efficiency and carbon reduction compared to previous base code versions. The Cohort code version is developed with an electric -preferred approach but does not mandate all -electric buildings. The amendments are designed to provide an efficiency baseline using compliance modeling and minimum targets that measure energy use of the building, recognizing efficiencies and carbon reduction gained by all -electric construction. The code also addresses the federal preemptions on fuel -fired appliances through electric -preferred approach. Overall, the Cohort code represents more aggressive standards for building efficiency and carbon reduction. The Cohort code is currently being promoted by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for adoption by the 59 member jurisdictions. Potential benefits of regional cooperation on uniform code adoption include ensuring a level playing field and costs for development under the code within the Denver Metro area. The code would also promote the health and environmental benefits of energy efficiency and all -electric buildings regionally. Residential Sprinkler Requirements Residential fire sprinkler requirements differ from commercial fire sprinklers in that they are designed to control the fire long enough for occupants to escape whereas a commercial system is also designed to control and extinguish a fire to minimize damage CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Agenda Packet P. 9