Relating to the residential and commercial building codes of municipalities.

89(R) HB 871 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

By: Reynolds, Morgan, Gates

H.B. No. 871

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the residential and commercial building codes of

municipalities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 214.212, Local Government Code, is

amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding

Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the

International Residential Code, as it existed on May 1,
2018

[
2012
], is adopted as a municipal residential building code in this

state.

(b)
Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the
[
The
]

International Residential Code applies to all construction,

alteration, remodeling, enlargement, and repair of residential

structures in a municipality.

(b-1)

To the extent the International Residential Code

applies to a building or structure on or used in connection with an

agricultural operation, the International Residential Code, as it

existed on May 1, 2012, applies to all construction, alteration,

remodeling, enlargement, and repair of those buildings or

structures.

(d) A municipality may review and consider amendments made

by the International Code Council to the International Residential

Code after May 1,
2018
[
2012
].

SECTION 2. Section 214.216, Local Government Code, is

amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding

Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the

International Building Code, as it existed on May 1,
2018
[
2012
], is

adopted as a municipal commercial building code in this state.

(b)
Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the
[
The
]

International Building Code applies to all commercial buildings in

a municipality and to any alteration, remodeling, enlargement, or

repair of those commercial buildings.

(b-1)

To the extent the International Building Code applies

to a building or structure on or used in connection with an

agricultural operation, the International Building Code, as it

existed on May 1, 2012, applies to all construction, alteration,

remodeling, enlargement, and repair of those buildings or

structures.

(d) A municipality may review and consider amendments made

by the International Code Council to the International Building

Code after May 1,
2018
[
2012
].

SECTION 3. (a) Sections 214.212 and 214.216, Local

Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to residential

or commercial construction, remodeling, alteration, enlargement,

or repair that begins under an agreement made on or after January 1,

2027, or that begins, in the absence of an agreement, on or after

that date. Residential or commercial construction, remodeling,

alteration, enlargement, or repair that begins under an agreement

made before January 1, 2027, or that begins, in the absence of an

agreement, before that date is governed by the law in effect when

the agreement was made or the activity began, as appropriate, and

that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2026, municipalities shall

establish rules and take other necessary actions to implement

Sections 214.212 and 214.216, Local Government Code, as amended by

this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2026.