Iowa State Energy Code

The Iowa State Energy Code (661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 303) applies to all commercial construction, whether new construction or construction work on existing buildings. These requirements also apply to all new construction of one and two family residences in ths state, but not to renovation or remodeling of one and two family residences.

Iowa Code Chapter 103A affords local jurisdictions discretion to adopt other building codes or no building code at all. However, it also establishes that certain portions of the State of Iowa Building Code, including energy conservation requirements, apply to construction statewide (local jurisdictions are allowed to adopt the latest editon of a nationally-recognized energy code in lieu of the requirements in the State Building Code).

On October 21, 2009 the Iowa Building Code Advisory Council, after previously issuing a notice of intended action (NIA), approved the adoption of several amendments to the State Building Code, including the adoption of the 2009 IECC effective January 1, 2010 (with a three month transition period during which the previous code, the 2006 IECC, may still be used).

The energy efficiency section (Chapter 11) of the 2009 IRC has been deleted and replaced with a reference to the 2009 IECC. Residential sprinkler requirements have been pushed back until January 1, 2013.

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