Understanding Building Code Adoption and Enforcement Challenges

Despite the resilience benefits of up-to-date building codes, many authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) in the United States have not adopted the latest codes and standards. This study investigates the challenges and successes to the adoption and enforcement of modern building codes. Through 23 semi-structured interviews with building code officials from various jurisdictions, we identified key barriers and facilitators to the code adoption and enforcement processes. The findings suggest that without addressing staffing shortages and given the burdensome three-year code adoption cycle, AHJs may struggle to keep pace with evolving building standards. In addition, fostering early stakeholder engagement and consensus-building can mitigate opposition and streamline the adoption processes. Policymakers are encouraged to consider these insights to enhance disaster resilience through more effective building code adoption and enforcement. This research underscores the interconnectedness of the code adoption and enforcement processes, and highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that address both to achieve widespread application of resilient building codes.