Utah

Residential

Utah’s mandatory statewide residential building code is the 2006 IECC.

Commercial

Utah’s mandatory statewide commercial building code is the 2006 IECC including ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004.

Energy codes are reviewed on a three-year cycle. The Utah Uniform Building Code Commission is in the process of evaluating proposed codes updates. Based on the provisions of Senate Bill 211, passed in the 2009 General Session, the Legislature will make a final determination about energy codes across Utah.

Utah follows a mixed regulatory and legislative process for code review, adoption, and update. The Utah Building Code Commission is charged with forming advisory committees and recommending code adoptions and amendments to the Director of the Building Codes Division. The Director is responsible for receiving and approving these recommendations, as well as code adoptions. Public hearings are scheduled as part of the rulemaking process. The Building Code Commission and Utah Energy Office work closely with the Utah Energy Conservation Coalition on the development of appropriate energy codes for the state. Currently, Senate Bill 211, which passed in the 2009 General Session, is being deliberated by the state legislature.

All residential buildings (one- and two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings three stories high and less) must comply with the 2006 IECC. Plans and specifications must be submitted when required by the local jurisdiction. Field inspections, as part of the normal building inspection process, are required prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

REScheck or Home Energy Rating System (HERS) may be used to show compliance.

Section R156-56-703 of the Utah Uniform Building Standards Act requires that state and local amendments must be in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined by the Utah Building Codes Division. There are local code amendments for other I-codes, but none for the IECC. While local code amendments are allowed, no jurisdiction has amended the energy code to date.

State Wide Program:
Utah.
High Performance Building Rating System, 2009

Program Description:
Utah State Building Board raised the High Performance Building Rating System standards to require all new state buildings to achieve LEED Silver certification. Specifically, new building projects must achieve the following credits: Water Efficient Credit 1.1, EA Credit 3, EQ Credit 3.1, EQ Credit 4.1, EQ Credit 4.2.

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.

City Wide Program:
Logan City, Utah.
Municipal Building Ordinance, 2007

Program Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations 10,000 ft2 or larger must meet LEED Silver.  

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.  

City Wide Program:
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Executive Order

Program Description:
All municipal new construction and major renovation greater than 10,000 ft2 must be built to LEED silver certification levels.  

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.