Building Code Board of Appeals Agenda and Packet 2021 09 08

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LCloty0f Louisville City Manager's office Memorandum To: Building Code of Appeals From: Katie Baum, Sustainability Coordinator Date: August 26, 2021 Re: Phase 1 Building Code Update: 2021 IECC Adoption and Reach Code Amendments Background For 2021, City Council identified Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Additions to Building Code as a medium priority work plan item, supporting the Louisville Sustainability Action Plan (October 2020) and the adopted community -wide climate action goals (August 2019). Changing the way we power our buildings is an urgent part of the community's broader clean energy transformation and a critical path to increasing community energy resiliency and "future proofing" building stock. Currently, the City enforces the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), a Prescriptive Energy and Design Criteria, and solar ready requirements for both residential and commercial. Phase 1 of the building code update hinges on the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code as well as building electrification and electric vehicle requirements, which is consistent with code changes being evaluated by municipalities across the region. Energy Impact Assistance Grant Funding Opportunity In early 2021, a group of Boulder County communities supported by Lotus Engineering and Sustainability and Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) began conversations to apply for an Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund grant through the state's Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The intent of the grant application was to pursue grant funding to support the adoption of the 2021 IECC across Boulder County communities with the opportunity for additional work in renewables planning and additional net zero strategies. Ultimately the grant funding was not awarded, however due to the priority of building code updates on Council's Work Plan, staff continued to move forward with Phase 1 consideration of adoption of the 2021 IECC standard, which will significantly increase the efficiency of new construction and significant alteration within Louisville. Communities across the region are pursuing adoption either this year or the next and additional amendments stipulating solar, electric vehicles, and consideration of electrification. Communities pursuing and considering these updates include: City of Lafayette, Town of Superior, Boulder County, Town of Erie, City of Golden, City of Northglenn, and City and County of Denver.