There is one new mandatory State Minimum Standard Code and there are two new permissive State Minimum Standard Codes that became effective for structures permitted on or after January 1, 2015. Georgia State Amendments to the newly adopted and currently adopted State Minimum Standard Codes have been posted to (Department of Community Affairs) DCA's website.

The following are the newly adopted Georgia Codes:

Mandatory:

National Electrical Code, 2014 Edition (w/no GA Amendments)

       Note: Includes expansion of GFCI (ground fault) and AFCI (arc fault) protection

Into most areas of the residence including the kitchen for new construction.

Permissive:

International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 Edition (w/ GA Amendments)

International Existing Building Code, 2012 edition (w/ GA Amendments)

       Note: Not mandatory but used by many jurisdiction. Contains positive updates and clarifications.

The below currently adopted Georgia Codes have new GA Amendments:

International Residential Code

• Residential Elevators - Clearance between the hoistway doors or gates and the hoistway edge of the landing sill shall not exceed 3/4 inch. The distance between the hoistway face of the landing door or gate and the car door or gate shall not exceed 3 inches .

• Listed and labeled commercial cooking appliances may continue to be installed in dwelling units and domestic kitchens but now must be designed and accepted by a Georgia licensed Professional Engineer.

• New Span Tables - Reflect the reduction in design values for Southern Yellow Pine. The implementation of these tables is delayed until January 1, 2016

Georgia Residential Prescriptive Deck Detail

• Changes regarding span tables and others to improve safety. This document is not mandatory but a good guide for deck construction.

International Plumbing Code

• Saddle-type fittings can be used to connect refrigerator ice makers and humidifiers to an existing residential unit water distribution system provided that the manufacturer's installation instructions for the distribution piping do not prohibit the use of saddle fittings.

International Mechanical Code

• Same as IRC - allows commercial cooking appliances in dwelling units when designed and accepted by licensed Professional Engineer

International Fuel Gas Code

• Same as IRC - allows commercial cooking appliances in dwelling units when designed and accepted by licensed Professional Engineer

International Building Code

• New Span Tables - Reflect the reduction in design values for Southern Yellow Pine. The implementation of these tables is delayed

The new Georgia Codes and Amendments became effective on January 1, 2015.

Please click on the below link to access the Georgia Amendments to the above listed codes:

http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/constructioncodes/programs/codeAmendments.asp 

There are no changes to the Georgia Energy Code. It remains the 2009 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) with Georgia amendments. There are no new amendments to the Energy Code for 2015.

If you have further questions feel free to contact the Department of Community Affairs Office of Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings at 404-679-3118 or by email at constructioncodes@dca.ga.gov. You may also contact HBAG Consultant for Regulatory Affairs, Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org

HBAG thanks the following members for their work on the code review and adoption process for these new codes and amendments: Tim Williams, Stanley Richardson, Neal Davis and Christine Fortenberry.

Click here to read a recent post from Chief Economist David Crowe discussing the housing recovery and builder confidence.

"Data for housing construction activity in November indicate the recover continues as builder confidence remains positive."