Montana

Current Codes

Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301.160-161

Code Type:

Based on: 2009 IECC Mandatory

Date Effective: Friday, March 26, 2010

Date Passed: Monday, November 30, 2009

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Additional Code Information

Code Adoption & Change Process

Code Change Process:

REGULATORY: The energy codes are reviewed on a three-year cycle corresponding to the adoption of new versions of the International Code Conference (ICC) Uniform Codes. Proposed changes are submitted to the Building Codes Bureau, which must file its proposed rules with the Secretary of State within six months of adoption.

Code Change Cycle:

Three-year code review/change cycle. The most recent update became effective March 26, 2010.

History

Montana first adopted a statewide building code in 1972 with the adoption of the ICBO Uniform Codes. The state's first energy code was the 1983 Model Energy Code (MEC). Montana adopted the appendix of Chapter 53 (Energy) referenced in the 1985 Uniform Building Code, which referenced the 1983 MEC.

Montana adopted several of the MEC editions and supplements in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the 1991 MEC with reference the first Standard 90.1 edition, ASHRAE 90.1-1989.

The state adopted the 2003 IECC with minimal changes as the statewide energy code on September 3, 2004. Effective January 26, 2007, Montana has adopted the 2006 version of all the other I-Codes (including the IBC and IRC), but not the IECC.

In spring 2010, Montana adopted the 2009 IECC with state amendments. Following a public hearing in November 2009, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) filed the final adoption notice to amend ARM 24.301.161 with the Secretary of State on March 15 with an effective date of March 26, 2010. The state's 46 local certified jurisdictions will have an additional 90 days to adopt the same code and edition for their jurisdictions. All other areas are under the jurisdiction of the State Building Codes Bureau.

Basic Facts

Climate Zone:

6B (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:

974,989 (2009, U.S. Census Bureau)

Construction Activity:

New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 2,376
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 1,909
2 units: 120
3 and 4 units: 129
5 or more units: 218
(2008, Real Estate Center)

Projected Construction Rate:

Single family dwelling: 1,909 (-37% less than previous year), and with an avarage value of $163,200 per unit (-3% less than previous year).
(2008, Real Estate Center)

CO2 Emissions:

37.7 MMT CO₂ (2007)

Energy Data

Primary Energy Source:

Petroleum: 46% (2007, EIA)

Energy Consumption:

Total Annual Energy Consumption of 462.1 trillion Btu (2007, EIA)

Energy Expenditures:

$5,265.1 Million Nominal Dollars (2007, EIA)

Energy Snapshot:

59% of the state’s natural gas supply is 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 Montana costs up to $9.68/thousand cu ft.

Source: EIA

Climate Concerns

Regional Issues & State Action:

According to the United States Global Change Research Program, annual average temperature in the Northwest region rose about 1.5°F-4°F over the past century, with projected increases of 3 to 10°F by the end of this century. Climate change is predicted to cause increases in winter precipitation and decreases in summer precipitation. Some changes are already occurring such as changes in snowpack, streamflows, sea level, forests, and other important aspects of life in the Northwest are already underway, with more severe impacts expected over the coming decades in response to continued and more rapid warming.

On December 13, 2005 Governor Schweitzer delivered a letter to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) asking the DEQ to create a Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC). The Committee completed the Montana Climate Action Plan in November 2007 that addresses improved efficiency in buildings including a recommendation section dedicated to improving the building energy codes in Montana and investigating ‘beyond code’ programs. In addition, Montana is a member of the Western Climate Initiative, which aims to reduce emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020.

BCAP Estimated Energy Savings

By implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide, Minnesota businesses and homeowners will save an estimated $14 million annually by 2020 and $29 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).

Additionally, implementing the latest model codes will help avoid about 4.5 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 0.25 million metric tons of CO₂ by 2030.

Resources

Baseline Characteristics of the 2002-2004 Nonresidential Sector: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington

posted by Anonymous
Third Market Progress Evaluation Report: Evaluation of NEEA Codes and Standards Program

posted by Eric Plunkett
Montana Fact Sheet

posted by Paul Karrer
Residential Energy Code Evaluations: Review and Future Directions

posted by Kelly Guhanick
BCAP Public Comments to Montana Building Codes Council on 2009 IECC

posted by Paul Karrer

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People

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Advocacy Opportunities	Status	Explanations
Mandatory Codes		Residential: Montana has a mandatory statewide residential code based on the 2003 IECC, with state-specific amendments. Commercial: Montana has a mandatory statewide commercial code based on the 2003 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2001.
Automatic Review & Update Process		Montana reviews the energy code and considers updates on a triennial cycle. The most recent adoption occurred in September of 2004.
Regulatory Process		The energy code is reviewed on a three-year cycle corresponding to the adoption of new versions of the International Code Conference (ICC) Uniform Codes. Any proposed changes are submitted to the Building Codes Bureau. In June 2009, the Montana Building Codes Council voted to adopt a new statewide Montana energy code: the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (2009 IECC) with amendments. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry will be accepting comments on the new code when the department holds a public hearing as part of the administrative rules process, which should take effect in fall of 2009.
Ensure Compliance		Residential: The local building official may require that plans and specifications be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer. Building professionals also have the option of using REScheck to show compliance. Commercial: The builder must provide a labeling sticker. The label must be permanent and placed on the interior electrical panel. The R-values and U-values provided for building envelope components and mechanical equipment efficiency must be shown on the label. Building professionals also have the option of using COMcheck to show compliance.
Weakening Amendments
Strengthening Amendments		The builder must provide a labeling sticker. The label must be permanent and placed on the interior electrical panel. The R-values and U-values provided for building envelope components and mechanical equipment efficiency must be shown on the label.
Local Leadership Allowed
Milestones Established
Green Codes		State Wide Program: Montana. Energy Efficiency for State Buildings, 2009 Program Description: S.B. 49 created energy efficiency standards for state-owned and state-leased buildings. Energy efficiency building standards apply to new construction and major renovation projects for state-owned buildings and new construction projects for state-leased buildings. The buildings must exceed the effective International Energy Conservation Code by 20%, to the extent that it is cost effective. Energy Standard: Exceed the effective International Energy Conservation Code by 20%, to the extent that it is cost effective.

August 2009

Resources:

Advocacy
Link to Montana specific best practices (if BCAP has any)
Model ordinance for local governments to adopt codes (linked document)

Organizations
Montana Government

ICLEI - international association of local governments and their associations
www.iclei.org/
Montana has three local government members:
Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula.

Mayors Climate Protection Center
www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/revised/
Twenty-one Montana Mayors have signed The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement:
(City, Mayor)

Billings,
Bozeman,
Missoula,
Red Lodge,

Western Governors’ Association
www.westgov.org
Governor Brian Schweitzer is an active participant.

International Codes Council (ICC) Support and Regional Chapters

Current Codes

Resources

Discussions

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