September 7, 2022

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New Jersey Adopts New Building Codes

On September 6, 2022, New Jersey adopted the 2021 version of the International Code Council (ICC) codes along with updated versions of the National Electric Code, the National Standard Plumbing Code, and other related standards. One can find the amendments to these codes by visiting the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) webpage at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/codreg/ucc.html for the subcodes within NJAC 5:23.

New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code (NJUCC) adopts codes by regulation. The codes are administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Division of Codes & Standards. They are uniform statewide and local jurisdictions are not permitted to make amendments.

New Jersey (NJ) editions of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) and NSPC are currently being processed for publishing possibly later this year. These editions are the base code modified by their applicable subcode in the UCC. 

AIA New Jersey is offering courses to educate you and your staff on IRC and IBC code changes. Click here to register:

SOLD OUT – AIA NJ Code Seminars – Significant changes to the 2021 IRC, New Jersey

SOLD OUT – AIA NJ Code Seminars – Significant changes to the 2021 IBC, New Jersey

The following is a list of codes currently adopted in New Jersey:

BUILDING SUBCODE
International Building Code 2021 (IBC) with New Jersey Edits

PLUMBING SUBCODE
National Standard Plumbing Code 2021 (NSPC) with New Jersey Edits

ELECTRICAL SUBCODE
NFPA 70: National Electric Code 2020 (NEC)

ENERGY SUBCODE
International Energy Conservation Code 2021 (IECC) (Low-Rise Residential)
Energy Subcode ASHRAE 90.1-2019 (Commercial and Other Residential)

MECHANICAL SUBCODE
International Mechanical Code 2021 (IMC)

ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING SUBCODE
International Residential Code 2021 (IRC) with New Jersey Edits

FUEL GAS SUBCODE
International Fuel Gas Code 2021 (IFGC)

REHABILITATION SUBCODE
NJUCC Subchapter 6 (NJAC 5:23-6)

BARRIER-FREE SUBCODE
IBC Chapter 11 & ICC A117.1-2017

New Jersey allows for a 6-month grace period before new codes become mandatory. Complete permit applications (including all prior approvals) submitted by 6 March 2023, may be reviewed under the previous version of the code. This is the option of the design professional and the applicant, not the code official.

A FEW KEY CHANGES TO IBC

IBC now defines Mass Timber Construction and permits wood structures constructed of mass timber up to 18 stories tall.

Distilling and brewing of alcoholic beverages have been removed from the “H” high-hazard occupancy classification.

Puzzle rooms are now regulated as special amusement areas.

New scoping requirements require accessible electric vehicle charging stations.

CHANGES TO ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS

The Barrier Free Subcode now references the 2017 edition of ICC A117.1. This newer standard includes several important changes the most significant being the larger turning radius and wheelchair parking spaces. The familiar 60” turning radius has been replaced with a requirement for 67” and the wheelchair parking space has been enlarged from 30” x 48” to 30” x 52”. This will result in slightly larger toilet rooms and accessible toilet stalls. These new requirements only apply to new construction and additions. The older smaller numbers still apply to existing buildings.

For all codes and until the NJ editions are published, please utilize the links provided by their organizations:

NJAC 5:23-3.14, Building Subcode
• IBC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2021P2
• IFC/2021 (throughout) – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFC2021P1
• A117.1-2017 (Ch 11) – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ICCA11712017P2
• ASME A17.1-2019 (Ch 30) – https://www.asme.org/codes-standards (no code book link)
• ISPSC/2021 (Ch 31) – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ISPSC2021P2

NJAC 5:23-3.15, Plumbing Subcode
• NSPC/2021 – https://epubs.iapmo.org/NSPC/2021/

NJAC 5:23-3.16, Electrical Subcode

• NEC/2020 (Scroll to NFPA 70 – you will need to set up a Login/Password) – https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/Codes-and-Standards

NJAC 5:23-3.18, Energy Subcode
• IECC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2021P2

• ASHRAE 90.1-2019 – https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/standards-and-guidelines/read-only-versions-of-ashrae-standards (Scroll to “Standard 90.1-2019”)

NJAC 5:23-3.20, Mechanical Subcode
• IMC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IMC2021P2

NJAC 5:23-3.21 – One- and Two-Family Dwelling Subcode
• IRC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2
• ISPSC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ISPSC2021P2

NJAC 5:23, Fuel Gas Subcode
• IFGC/2021 – https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFGC2021P2

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Codes & Regulations | Tagged: #BuildingCodes, #IBC, #NewJersey, #NJUCC, #regulations, #RobertLongoAIA, Codes & Regulations | Comments (0)