AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Exempts homes under two thousand (2,000) square feet from automatic statewide IECC energy mandates, allowing municipalities to decide whether to adopt climate-focused building code requirements for small and modest homes.)

H7530

2026 -- H 7530
========
LC003618
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Introduced By:
Representatives Quattrocchi, Fascia, Nardone, Santucci, Paplauskas,
Perez, Place, Chippendale, Cotter, and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Environment and Natural Resources
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 23-27.3 of the General Laws entitled "State Building Code" is hereby
2
amended by adding thereto the following section:
3

23-27.3-100.1.9. Residential energy code applicability for small homes.

4

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Rhode Island residential building
5
code, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the International Energy Conservation
6
Code (“IECC”), or any successor energy conservation code, shall not be automatically adopted or
7
required on a statewide basis for one family or two (2) family residential dwellings with a total
8
conditioned floor area of less than two thousand (2,000) square feet.
9

10

(b) For the residential dwellings described in subsection (a) of this section, compliance
11
with the IECC or any successor energy conservation code shall be determined at the municipal
12
level.
13

(c) Any city or town may, by ordinance or regulation, elect to adopt, amend, or decline to
14
adopt the IECC or equivalent residential energy efficiency standards for one family or two (2)
15
family residential dwellings with a total conditioned floor area of less than two thousand square
16
feet (2,000 sq. ft.) based on local priorities, housing affordability considerations, and community
17
needs.
18

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
19

(1) Affect the statewide applicability of residential energy conservation codes to one family

1
or two (2) family residential dwellings with a conditioned floor area of two thousand square feet
2
(2,000 sq. ft.) or greater;
3

(2) Limit the applicability of energy conservation codes to non-residential buildings; or
4

(3) Prohibit the state or any municipality from offering voluntary energy efficiency
5
programs, incentives, or guidance applicable to residential dwellings of any size.
6
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC003618
========

LC003618 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE
***
1
This bill exempts homes under two thousand (2,000) square feet from automatic statewide
2
IECC energy mandates, allowing municipalities to decide whether to adopt climate-focused
3
building code requirements for small and modest homes.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC003618
========

LC003618 - Page 3 of 3