HB161 Summary

• Requires the Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance to adopt the 2021 International Code Council model building codes (International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Plumbing Code, Fuel Gas Code, and Mechanical Code) by July 1, 2025, applicable to all non-residential buildings in Alabama.

• Prohibits building code officials from imposing additional or more stringent code requirements than those specified in the adopted state building code.

• Authorizes coastal counties and municipalities within 25 miles of the Gulf of Mexico to adopt supplemental coastal building code requirements for hurricane, wind, flooding, and erosion protection.

• Requires registered architects to design all commercial construction projects larger than 2,500 square feet, with violation by building code officials constituting a Class C misdemeanor; exempts certain farm buildings, single-family residences, utility works, and buildings smaller than 2,500 square feet.

• Exempts agricultural buildings and licensed health care facilities from building code requirements; becomes effective July 1, 2025.