AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Permits the construction of residential buildings that are up to four (4) stories and sixteen (16) dwelling units with a single staircase under certain conditions.)

H8002

2026 -- H 8002
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LC005911
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Introduced By:
Representatives Speakman, Cortvriend, Diaz, Giraldo, and Voas

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-100.1.5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled
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"State Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-27.3-100.1.5. Building code — Adoption and promulgation by committee.
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(a) The state building code standards committee has the authority to adopt, promulgate,
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and administer a state building code, which shall include:
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(1) Provisions and amendments as necessary to resolve conflicts between fire safety codes
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and building codes, as provided for in § 23-28.01-6; and
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(2) A rehabilitation building and fire code for existing buildings and structures.
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(b) The building code may be promulgated in several sections, with a section applicable
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to: (1) One-, two (2)-, three (3)-, and four (4)-family dwellings using the International Residential
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Code from the International Code Council (“ICC”) and any amendments thereto adopted by the
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state building code standards committee; (2) To multiple dwellings with more than four (4)
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residential units, and hotels and motels and other commercial structures using the Commercial
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International Building Code from the ICC and any amendments thereto adopted by the state
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building code standards committee; and (3) To general building construction; to plumbing; and to
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electrical.
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(c) The building code shall incorporate minimum standards for the location, design,
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construction, and installation of wells that are appurtenances to a building in applicable sections.
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For purposes of this chapter, “appurtenance” includes the installation, alteration, or repair of wells

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connected to a structure consistent with chapter 13.2 of title 46.
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(d) The building code and the sections thereof shall be reasonably consistent with
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recognized and accepted standards adopted by national model code organizations and recognized
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authorities. To the extent that any state or local building codes, statutes, or ordinances are
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inconsistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title III, Public Accommodations and
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Services Operated by Private Entities, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq., and its regulations and standards,
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they are hereby repealed. The state building code standards committee is hereby directed to adopt
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rules and regulations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles II and III (28
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C.F.R. Part 35 and 28 C.F.R. Part 36, as amended), as soon as possible, but no later than February
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15, 2012, to take effect on or before March 15, 2012. The state building code standards committee
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is hereby authorized and directed to update those rules and regulations consistent with the future
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revisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards.
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(e) Notwithstanding any provisions of the building code to the contrary, the building code
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shall allow for the construction of residential buildings up to four (4) stories and sixteen (16)
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dwelling units, with a single staircase; provided that, any applicable provisions and requirements
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of chapter 28.01 of title 23 (comprehensive fire safety act) and chapter 28.1 of the title 23 (fire
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safety code--general provisions) and associated regulations incorporated or adopted thereunder
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shall govern the design and construction of the same unless otherwise waived or varied by the
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appropriate state agency.
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(e)
(f)
All electrical work done in the state shall be in accordance with the latest edition of
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the National Electrical Code (NEC). The state building code standards committee shall adopt the
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latest edition of the NEC, including any amendments to the NEC by the committee. The adoption
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of the NEC by the commission shall be completed so that it will take effect on the first day of July
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of the year the edition is dated.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE
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This act would permit the construction of residential buildings that are up to four (4) stories
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and sixteen (16) dwelling units with a single staircase under certain conditions.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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