Louisiana

Advocacy Opportunities

Status

Explanations

Adopt Mandatory Codes

Residential:

Louisiana has a statewide mandatory residential code based on the 2006 IRC.

Commercial:

Louisiana has a statewide mandatory commercial code based on the ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004 and 2006 IECC.

Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process

Louisiana has a triennial review process. The last update occurred in June 2007.

Create a Regulatory Process

Building codes for 1- and 2-family residential buildings are promulgated through the Louisiana State Uniform Code Council. Because the state adopts the International Residential Code (IRC), changes to the IRC are reviewed and recommended by an IRC review subcommittee, then a Technical Advisory Committee, then by the full Code Council. The final decisions of the Code Council are must then proceed through the state's administrative rules review process before becoming law. Building codes for other residential buildings and all commercial buildings are developed by the State Fire Marshal's office.

Improve Compliance

Residential:

Compliance with the IARC Chapter 11 is controlled at the local level.

The Facility Planning and Control Section of the Division of Administration ensures compliance of state-owned facilities. They determine that plans, specifications, and energy code compliance documents meet code requirements for new construction and all alterations and repairs.

REScheck may be used to show compliance

Commercial:

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has authority to enforce the code for commercial buildings statewide except state-owned commercial buildings. Plans, specifications, and energy code compliance documents must be submitted to and reviewed by the State Fire Marshal. The submitter receives a letter indicating whether the documents demonstrate compliance. Parties receiving a letter of non compliance can resubmit revised plans and will be issued another letter notifying them of compliance or non compliance. Any compliance letters must be kept at the building site and the building owners must retain the letter once the structure is occupied. A COMcheck report is required to demonstrate compliance.

The Facility Planning and Control Section of the Division of Administration has authority for assuring compliance for new construction and all alterations and repairs of state-owned facilities.

COMcheck may be used to show compliance

Eliminate Weakening Amendments

Add Strengthening Amendments

Allow Innovation at the Local Level

Jurisdictions are allowed to adopted energy codes more stringent than the state code.

Set Milestones

Adopt Green Codes

State Wide Program:
Louisiana.
Green Building  Policy, 2007

Program Description:
Each major facility project must be designed, constructed, and certified to exceed the requirements of the state energy code by at least thirty percent. Such improvements must also prove to be cost effective based on a life cycle cost analysis with a payback of no more than thirty years. Until December 31, 2008, this requirement applied to all new projects larger than 20,000 gross square feet.  
 
Size requirements for future projects required to meet the standard are applied as follows:

    * From January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 -- projects larger than 15,000 square feet
    * From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 -- projects larger than 10,000 square feet
    * From January 1, 2011 and thereafter -- projects larger than 5,000 square feet

Energy Standard:
Thirty percent more efficient than current state energy code (ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004 or 2006 IECC in 2009).