Oklahoma

Advocacy Opportunities

Status

Explanations

Adopt Mandatory Codes

Residential:

Oklahoma’s residential code is based on the 2003 IECC. It is mandatory for jurisdictions that do not adopt their own residential code and for state-owned or -leased facilities.

Commercial:

Oklahoma’s commercial code is based on 2003 IECC. It is mandatory for jurisdictions that do not adopt their own commercial code and for state-owned or -leased facilities.

Adopt an Automatic Review & Update Process

Oklahoma does not have a formal schedule for energy code review. The most recent update became effective on June 1, 2004.

On February 2, 2009, a bill was introduced in the Oklahoma Senate to create an Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission that would be charged with reviewing and adopting all building codes for residential and commercial construction within the state. Codes and standards adopted by the Commission would be the minimum standards for all residential and commercial construction. Local governments would be allowed to adopt "higher" standards than those adopted by the Commission. This bill was signed into law on June 2, 2009.

Create a Regulatory Process

Oklahoma institutes both a legislative and regulatory process for code revisions. Code changes recommended by the new Uniform Building Code Commission would go through the state legislature, the governor, and adoption by the Fire Marshal Commission.  

Each jurisdiction has the authority to adopt one of the nationally recognized model codes, the codes the state uses, or codes that are comparable to the state codes.

Improve Compliance

Residential:

For state-owned buildings, the Oklahoma Office of Central Services, Construction Properties Division monitors the construction process for compliance with the relevant construction codes.

Other buildings must comply with the code the state has put in place -- currently the 2003 International Building Code (IBC) that includes the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Commercial:

For state-owned buildings, the Oklahoma Office of Central Services, Construction Properties Division monitors the construction process for compliance with the relevant construction codes. Non state-owned buildings must comply with whatever the state has put in place, which is currently the 2003 IECC.

Eliminate Weakening Amendments

Add Strengthening Amendments

Allow Innovation at the Local Level

Local governments are only permitted to adopt higher standards than those adopted by the Uniform Building Codes Commission.

Set Milestones

Adopt Green Codes

State Wide Program:
Oklahoma.
HB 3394, 2008
Program Description:
All state buildings over 10,000 ft2 to follow LEED guidelines or those of Green Globes. Compliance will be measured by the Department of Central Services.

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.