The International Code Council (ICC) recently completed the first of two Group B Code Action Hearings (CAH) in Orlando, Florida, from April 27 to May 6 for development of the 2027 I-Codes. The second CAH will be held in October in Cleveland, Ohio. This marks a significant milestone in the new ICC code development process, which is being implemented for this next edition of the building codes.
ICC Code Groups
ICC groups the codes for efficient management of the code development process due to the number of I-Code volumes and incredible number of code change proposals. The ICC Group B Codes include:
- Administrative Provisions, including Chapter 1 of all the I-Codes except the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and International Residential Code (IRC), as well as the update of currently referenced standards in all of the 2024 Codes, except the IgCC,
- International Building Code (IBC) – General Provisions including Chapters 3–6, 12, 13, 27–33,
- IBC – Structural Provisions including Chapters 15–25, and International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Structural Provisions,
- IEBC – Nonstructural provisions,
- IgCC – Chapter 1 and Appendix M,
- IRC – Building Provisions including Chapters 1–10, and
- International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
The balance of the I-Codes went through a similar process in 2024 under Group A. Other I-Codes are addressed in the ICC Group A including:
- IBC – Egress,
- IBC – Fire Safety,
- International Fire Code (IFC),
- International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC),
- International Mechanical Code (IMC),
- International Plumbing Code (IPC),
- International Private Sewage Disposal Code (IPSDC),
- IRC – Mechanical,
- IRC – Plumbing,
- International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), and
- International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC).
According to the ICC, the code development process is open and transparent and consists of balanced interests, due process, an appeals process, and consensus. Participation in the development of the codes, including code hearings, is open to all at no cost, and anyone can submit a code change proposal or make a public comment. The ICC code committees must consider all views brought to the committee hearing before voting on code change proposals.
Code Change Proposals in cdpACCESS®
ICC cdpACCESS® is the platform you must use when submitting a change proposal. Cdp stands for “Code Development Process”, the process used to modify the ICC model building, fire, and safety codes. There are hundreds of code change proposals each cycle, as the code is continually evolving on a 3-year cycle. The 2025 Group B CAH 1 was no exception, with the monograph weighing in at over 2,500 pages. Each code change proposal consists of multiple parts, including the proponent’s name/organization, proposed change in legislative text with strikeouts and underlines, a reason statement, a cost impact, and ICC staff may add their own analysis, if applicable.
The Code Development Process
Group A and B codes each have separate committees that hear public testimony on the submitted code change proposals following Robert’s Rules of Order. The committees are selected from a pool of volunteers, reviewed and recommended by ICC staff, and approved by the ICC Board of Directors. The speed at which the moderators, chairs, and committees operate is swift and with a purpose. Public testimony is recorded and livestreamed on the ICC website and consists of comments by proponents, opponents, and sometimes neutral parties.
Recorded videos of the committee proceedings and testimony can be viewed through cdpACCESS® at cdpACCESS - ICC. Testimony and rebuttals have time limits, but robust debate and questions from the committees are common. According to ICC, a code change proponent has the opportunity to rebut opponents and vice versa. Anyone who attends the hearings may testify. Committees are required to consider all views, objections, and the cost impact of all code change proposals.
After hearing testimony, the committee then votes for approval, disapproval, or approval with intent to modify. Modifications to code change proposals must also be submitted via the cdpACCESS® platform. Hundreds of code change proposals and modifications were heard during the Group B CAH 1. Riveting testimony was provided by subject matter experts consisting of design professionals, builders, building material manufacturers, industry associations, and academic researchers.
It is worthwhile to get involved by volunteering and serving on an ICC committee, submitting a code change proposal, offering public comments, or just observing the process. The end result of the ICC committee's efforts is an increased level of life safety, improved construction methods, performance requirements, innovative products, new and revised standards, and editorial improvements.
In most cases, code changes consist of subtle adjustments; however, other changes may add or remove requirements depending on the situation. What may seem a minor change can have a far-reaching impact on the industry, so careful committee deliberations on each item are necessary.
Code Change Proposals of Interest
Some notable Group B code change proposals that are available for viewing on cdpACCESS® include:
- Proposal to the IBC and IRC to reference updated standards from the American Wood Council (AWC), including the 2027 Permanent Wood Foundation Design Specification and the 2027 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS). (ADM 61-25)
- Proposed updates to the IBC and IRC requirements for truss design drawing elements, aligning the wording with and referring to the ANSI/TPI 1 standard. (S154-25 Parts I and II)
- Proposal to the IRC clarifying that the reference to ANSI/TPI 1 should include required quality criteria in the referenced standard. The proposal also adds a requirement that quality assurance audits are required for pre-manufactured elements, including metal-plate-connected wood trusses, and that these audits should be performed by an approved third-party agency. (RB166-25)
- Proposal to the IBC to clarify that the reference to ANSI/TPI 1 should include all the specified quality requirements (quality assurance, quality control, and quality management), not just quality assurance. Additionally, it also clarifies that the quality assurance audit should be performed by an independent agency. This change clarifies that truss requirements should include the design, manufacture, and quality requirements, not just design. (S158-25)
- Proposal to the IBC to standardize terminology used for lateral restraint and diagonal bracing between BCSI, ANSI/TPI 1, and the IBC. The change also fixes the incorrect spacing of the diagonal bracing graphically shown in the figures and removes the blocking requirements. This change replaces the word diaphragm with structural sheathing or gypsum panel products standardized terminology used for lateral restraint and diagonal bracing between BCSI, ANSI/TPI 1, and the IBC. (S155-25)
- Proposal to the IBC to add permanent truss member lateral restraint and truss diagonal bracing inspections during the framing inspection per Section 110.3.4 (S156-25)
- Proposal to the IBC to add special inspection provisions for cold-formed steel and wood trusses without wood or gypsum board panels on top or bottom chord, such as residential garages without gypsum board installed on the ceiling. (S111-25)
- Proposal to the IBC and IRC to add a definition for Modular Component and Module to the IBC, add Section 3115 for Modules and Modular Components with reference to three new standards for modular construction, ICC/MBI 1200, 1205, and 1210. (G195-25 Parts I and II).
- Proposal to add requirements to the IBC and IRC for salvage lumber and reference to ASTM D4761-19. (S153-25 and RB167-25)
- Proposal to the IRC to add requirements for corrosion resistance of fasteners and connectors in saltwater environments based on ICC 600 and IBHS Fortified Programs. (RB89-25)
- Proposal to the IRC to include a reference to a new ICC standard being developed for tiny houses. (RB42-25)
What’s Next…
The ICC code development process will continue October 19–30 with the ICC Annual Conference and Expo, followed by the Group B CAH 2 in Cleveland, Ohio, after public comments on Group B CAH 1 code change proposals are submitted and reviewed. CAH 2 is then followed by the combined Group A and B Codes Public Comments Hearing and the Online Governmental Consensus Voting in 2026. This will finalize and approve changes in the 2027 I-Codes.
Protecting life safety and buildings through incremental change is a paramount objective of the building code development process. Getting involved, contributing, or monitoring code change proposals can be eye-opening, and you will learn some new things about the building codes. Your expertise is needed, and your participation matters. The ICC code development process is a truly immersive experience that can deepen your understanding of where code requirements come from, and just how many dedicated industry professionals contribute to building better codes.
More detailed information on the ICC code development process can be found on the ICC website at: Code Development Process – ICC.
For additional information, or if you have questions, please contact the MiTek Engineering department.