The 2027 International Codes have entered the final year of their three-year development cycle, making 2026 a decisive period for outcomes affecting residential, commercial, and mass timber construction. The AWC submitted a comprehensive package of public comments to the International Code Council in preparation for the Public Comment Hearings held in April.

The AWC has already achieved important wins throughout the cycle, such as inclusion of references to the AWC’s Fire Design Standard, taking several Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) threats off the agenda, and defeating a proposal to roll back the allowance for 100% exposed mass timber ceilings in Type IV-B buildings first introduced in the 2024 IBC.

A deeper look at one code change proposal—increasing the fire-resistance rating for separation between a podium parking garage and residential units above from two hours to four hours—illustrates the major market impact of even seemingly esoteric code matters. Originally proposed because of the rise of electric vehicles, the change risks increased construction costs, disproportionately affecting mid-rise residential wood construction, without demonstrating a quantified safety benefit. By opposing G116-25, the AWC is working to prevent almost $221,000 in unnecessary added cost per affected building and a precedent for code increases unsupported by empirical evidence.

MARKET IMPACT

• Ensure broad regulatory acceptance of wood products.

• Prevent unnecessary construction costs, making wood projects more competitive.