Home Builders Applaud Enactment of Statewide Residential Building Code Law

CONCORD – Representatives of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire joined local building code and code review board officials, legislative sponsors and Governor John Lynch at a ceremony to sign SB 234 into law. The new law adds the International Residential Code 2000 to the statewide building code for New Hampshire.

“Over regulation of the housing market, especially by local governments, continues to be a major cost driver for housing in New Hampshire,” said HBRANH President Ed Stewart. “The enactment of a statewide residential building code is a major step in helping reduce over regulation. This law encourages greater consumer safety by ensuring that building codes are up to date, improves the ease of compliance and enforcement, and reduces administrative costs associated with having to comply with a myriad of local building codes.”

In hearings on the bill, municipal building code officials testified that there are approximately 12 different residential building codes being used in towns throughout the state. In addition, builders testified that requirements for many aspects of building projects, such as constructing stairs, can vary greatly from town to town.

“We want to recognize the work of the all the bill sponsors, most notably Senator Bob Clegg and Representative Will Infantine, for their efforts on this important issue,” said Kendall Buck, Executive Vice President of the HBRANH. “Their work not only has improved safety for consumers, but provides a major step forward in bringing greater affordability to the state’s housing market.”

The new law goes into effect on July 8, 2006, and will be administered by the NH Code Review Board.