RISBC-2 Rhode Island State One & Two Family Dwellings

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5 and 23-27.3-109.1

Purpose and Reason:

The Building Code Standards Committee (BCSC) is proposing amendments to the Rhode Island One & Two Family Dwelling Code (Residential Code). The current version of this regulation adopted the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 version, with RI specific amendments. Currently, the BCSC has proposed adopting the 2021 version of the IRC. The proposed amendments to the IRC 2021 model code are for consistency with the other building code regulations in Title 510 and the Fire Safety Codes in Title 450, compliance with RI statutes, and ensure that the model codes align with the needs of this state.

Additionally, all the building code regulations simultaneously being amended have been edited for clarity and internal consistency of formatting and style, and to be easily read with the other building code regulations and the model codes that these regulations adopt. Formatting changes include: listing every model code chapter and stating whether each chapter is adopted, adopted with changes or deleted; leading the all changes with the model code section number for quick reference; and focusing on model code numbering to simplify citation and avoid confusion. 

§§ 2.1 through 2.2 – Updated and simplified the provisions in these sections. 

Chapter 1 contains the administrative provisions of IRC 2021, which are amended for consistency with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and other RI building codes within Title 510 and the Rhode Island Fire Safety Codes in RICR Title 450. 

Chapter 2 of IRC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments to the definitions have been deleted because they  are no longer necessary as those terms are defined in statute (commissioner and committee) or are now included in the IRC 2021 definitions. 

Wind zone images following Chapter 2 were deleted because an updated chart is made part of SBC-2, Chapter 3.

Chapter 3 contains is adopted with minimal changes. The table included in the prior amendment was incorrect and has been corrected. Section 302.13 has been deleted without substitution to correct the erroneous inclusion of that section in the 2018 Code after it was previously deleted in the 2015 Code. A typographical error has been corrected in Section 310.8.

Chapter 4 is adopted without changes. The state specific amendments have been deleted because they are no longer necessary as the 2021 IRC includes substantively similar provisions. 

Chapters 5 and 6 are adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments have been deleted because they would be duplicative of the IRC 2021. No changes to the status quo.

Chapter 8 is adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments have been deleted because they would be duplicative of the IRC 2021. No changes to the status quo.

Chapter 9 is adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments have been deleted because they would be duplicative of the IRC 2021. No changes to the status quo.

Chapter 10 is adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments have been deleted because they would be duplicative of the IRC 2021. No changes to the status quo.

Chapter 11 is deleted due to statutory requirement for adoption of the Rhode Island Energy Conservation Code.

Chapters 12 through 15 are adopted with no changes. RI Amendment would be duplicative of the IRC 2021.

Chapters 17 through 21 are adopted with no changes. RI Amendment would be duplicative of the 2021 IRC.

Chapter 22 is adopted with the addition of a single sentence related to material requirements for non-metallic storage tanks. 

Chapters 23 and 24 are adopted with no changes. RI Amendment would be duplicative of the 2021 IRC.

Chapters 27 and 28 are adopted with no changes. RI Amendment would be duplicative of the 2021 IRC.

Chapters 32 and 33 are adopted with no changes. 

Chapters 34 through 43 are deleted.  Language is now found in the RI Electrical Code, SBC 5. 

Chapter 44 is adopted with no changes. RI Amendments would be duplicative of the 2021 IRC.

Appendices AE, AH, AK, AM, AO, AQ, AR, AS, and AW are adopted and all other appendices are deleted.