RHODE ISLAND EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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) adopts the various components of the Rhode Island Building Code by adopting national model codes. The BCSC has decided to delete Chapter 34, which contained RI specific amendments related to Existing Buildings, and adopt the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2021 edition, as a new Part 7 in Title 510.

The IEBC applies to the renovation of all buildings and structures not otherwise covered by SBC-2, the one- and two-family residential code. For example: Renovation of an office building would fall under SBC-7, the IEBC; renovation of a single family house would fall under SBC-2. Additionally, three-family dwellings are prohibited from using the IEBC and are subject to the provisions of SBC-1, the Rhode Island Building Code.

This adoption will be promulgated simultaneously with the amendments to 510-RICR-00-00-1 so there is no gap in the law.

This regulation was drafted to be consistent with the formatting changes implemented in this year’s update of all building codes. 

Summary of proposed new regulation

§§ 7.1 and 7.2 – These standard sections are consistent with similar provisions across Title 510 explaining the adoption of the model codes. 

The BCSC is adoption the IEBC as written with minimal changes.

Chapter 1 is adopted with administrative amendments for consistency with other RI statutes, the other building code regulations in Title 510, and the Fire Safety Codes in Title 450.

Chapter 2 through 16 are adopted with no changes.

Appendices A, B and C are adopted, they contain various guidelines.

Appendix D is deleted as it contains information about appeals procedures which are unnecessary as those procedures are governed by statutory provisions in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3