Kentucky

Current Codes

2007 Kentucky Building Code, 9th Edition (Revised March 2011)

Code Type: Commercial

Based on: 2009 IBC, 2009 IECC Mandatory

Date Effective: Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Date Passed: Sunday, March 6, 2011

2007 Kentucky Residential Code, 2nd Edition (Revised January 2012)

Code Type: Residential

Based on: 2006 IRC, 2009 IECC Mandatory

Date Effective: Monday, October 1, 2012

Date Passed: Friday, January 6, 2012

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

Changes to building codes by the state of Kentucky are submitted to the Board of Housing for review by the Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Division of Building Codes Enforcement. The changes are approved in this forum and are forwarded to the Legislative Research Committee for public comment and further review. During the three-year cycle, proposed changes to the KBC may be submitted for consideration and voted upon by the board. The Division of Building Codes and Enforcement is responsible for complying with code changes and amendments. Once changes and amendments are adopted and entered as part of the state requirements, they become state law by state statute.

Code Change Cycle:

Generally a three-year code review/update cycle. The KBC (9th Ed.) was last revised March 6, 2011 and the KRC (2nd Ed.) were last updated January 6, 2012.

History

The KBC became a minimum statewide requirement on February 15, 1980, for all buildings over three stories in height, in excess of 20,000 square feet and intended for assembly, educational, institutional, or high hazard occupancy or business or industrial occupancies in excess of 100 occupants. In steps, the KBC became effective for all buildings, and by August 15, 1982, the code was applied throughout the entire state of Kentucky. The 1994 and 1997 KBC referenced the 1992 MEC. On July 1, 2005 the residential energy code was the 2000 IRC, while the commercial provisions referenced the 2003 IBC.

The 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC – applies to all commercial and multifamily buildings), which is based on the 2006 IBC, became effective July 1, 2007, but there was a 90-day grace period during which either the new or existing code could be used.

The 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC – applies to single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses) is based in the 2006 IRC, with some modifications to the energy chapter. Due to a delay during the public comment process, it did not become effective until August 1, 2007. As with the KBC, there was a 90-day grace period during which either the new or existing code could be used.

In addition to these changes, Kentucky now requires inspections of all new HVAC systems statewide (both commercial and residential). Section N1101.8 of the residential code requires a permanent certificate to be posted on or in the electrical distribution panel listing the predominant R-values and other energy related features of the structure, but an energy code inspection is not conducted by state code officials for single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses under the purview of the residential code.

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Latest Revisions: The 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC), based on the 2006 IBC, was last revised on March 6, 2011 for its 9^th edition to reference the 2009 IECC as the energy code for the nonresidential buildings covered by the KBC.

The 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC), based on the 2006 IRC, was last revised on January 6, 2012 for its 2^nd edition. Chapter 11 covers energy efficiency, and it has been amended such that demonstrating compliance with the 2009 IECC is the sole compliance path for the buildings covered by the KRC.

The updated KBC and KRC are effective March 6, 2011, with compliance mandatory starting June 1, 2011.

Updates on this information can be found on the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Website.

Enforcement: The Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction conducts plan review, inspects and enforces the energy code (and conducts HVAC inspections/certifications) for all commercial and multi-family residential dwellings. Compliance for detached single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses under the purview of the residential code is left to the discretion of local jurisdictions.

Information last updated September 30, 2012

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

4A (zones based on DOE's most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)

Population:

4,314,113 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 10,494
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 6,892
2 units: 250
3 and 4 units: 410
5 or more units: 2,942
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

Single family dwelling: 6,902 (-40% less than previous year), and with an avarage value of $153,300 per unit
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

156.80 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Coal: 19.2% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total annual consumption of 2,023 Trillion BTU (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

20,316.3 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

44% of the state’s natural gas supply and 39% of consumed electricity are used for heating the home.

Natural gas is the largest consumed source of energy for the state’s residential sector.

Residential use of natural gas in Kentucky costs up to $12.89/thousand cu ft., exceeding the national average

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, extreme heat, declining air quality, draught and an increase in the frequency of severe precipitation and Atlantic hurricanes are likely to pose increasing problems for the Southeast United States. In addition, sea-level rise is projected to accelerate, endangering shorelines and major coastal cities. In the southeast, the annual average temperature has increased by 2°F since 1970. Annual average temperatures are projected to rise 4.5°F-9°F with the greatest increase occurring in the summer months. The effects of climate change could significantly alter the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.

In June 2009 Governor Beshear created the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet which created the Kentucky Climate Action Plan Council (KCAPC) in December 2009. Through five working groups, KCAPC will provide recommendations and create an action plan to address climate change which is scheduled to be completed in December 2010. The Center for Climate Strategies is assisting KCAPC in their efforts.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

Contact Paul Karrer for savings information for your state Pkarrer@ase.org.

Resources

CPA Presentation: 2012 ACEEE Summer Study

posted by Mark Lessans
White Paper: Compliance Planning Assistance Program

posted by Mark Lessans
Kentucky Strategic Compliance Plan

posted by Mark Lessans
Professional Energy Code Pamphlet: Kentucky

posted by Mark Lessans
Professional Energy Code Checklist: Kentucky

posted by Mark Lessans

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Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Adopt Mandatory Codes	(Commecial Only)	Residential Kentucky has a mandatory statewide residential code: the 2006 IECC and 2006 IRC with state-specific amendments, yet it is left up to local jurisdictions to decide whether or not to adopt code for single family dwellings. Commercial Kentucky has a mandatory statewide commercial code based on the 2006 IECC and 2006 IRC with state-specific amendments.
Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process		Triennial review cycle, with the last update in July of 2007.
Create a Regulatory Process		The State of Kentucky uses a mixed legislative/regulatory process for code review, adoption, and update. Any changes to the code by the state of Kentucky are submitted to the Board of Housing for review by the Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Division of Building Codes Enforcement. The changes are approved in this forum and are forwarded to the Legislative Research Committee for public comment and further review.
Improve Compliance		Residential The Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction conducts plan review, inspects and enforces the energy code (and conducts HVAC inspections/certifications) for all multi-family residential dwellings. Compliance for single family dwellings is left to the discretion of local jurisdictions. Section N1101.8 of the residential code requires a permanent certificate to be posted on or in the electrical distribution panel listing the predominant R-values and other energy related features of the structure but an energy code inspection is not required for single family dwellings. Click here for a certificate developed and approved by this office, Code Administrators Association of Kentucky and the Home Builders Association of Kentucky. Commercial The Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction conducts plan review, inspects and enforces the energy code (and conducts HVAC inspections/certifications) for all commercial buildings.
Eliminate Weakening Amendments		Weaker insulation requirements in IRC.
Add Strengthening Amendments
Allow Innovation at the Local Level		Energy provisions in the Kentucky Building Code (KBC) are mandatory statewide. As a mini-max code, it prohibits local jurisdictions from referencing or enforcing any other standard or code not listed in the KBC. In addition to this requirement, local jurisdictions may enforce the Kentucky Residential Code as an alternative method of compliance when the scope of coverage has been extended to include homes that are not trade-name or brand-name homes.
Set Milestones
Adopt Green Codes		State Wide Project: Kentucky. Public Building Energy Standard, 2009 Project Description: Started in 2005 and expanded in 2008 as well as 2009. Now requires all projects with 50% or greater funding from state to "meet high performance building standards". LEED required for all new buildings, level of certification depends on budget. Energy Standard: Commercial LEED Certification: below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.

August 2009

Resources:

ICLEI - International Association of Local Governments and their Associations
www.iclei.org
Kentucky has four local government members:
Frankfort, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government, and Owensboro.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org
Six Kentucky Mayors have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
(City)
Bowling Green, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, and Villa Hills.

International Codes Council (ICC) Regional Support and State Offices:
Ms. Janice Moy
ICC Chicago District Office
4051 West Flossmoor Road
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
Phone: 1-888-422-7233, Ext. 4525
JMoy@iccsafe.org

Mr. Corey Roblee
Regional Manager
Government Relations
333 E. Royal Forest Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43214
Phone: 1-888-422-7233,7202
CRoblee@iccsafe.org

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