- Totally get the frustration—mid-project code changes are a nightmare for budgets and timelines.
- I’ve run into the same thing with stormwater regs. One project was halfway through grading when the city dropped a new runoff requirement... had to scramble to redesign.
- You’re right, though—most of these updates are because something failed somewhere else. Still, some kind of transition period would save a lot of headaches.
- At the end of the day, I’d rather deal with the hassle now than get hit with liability later. Doesn’t make it sting any less in the moment.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR CITY CHANGED ITS CONSTRUCTION RULES?
That sting is real, but honestly, I’d argue the pain of retrofitting or—worse—facing noncompliance down the road is way more brutal. I’ve seen projects get completely derailed by ignoring new energy codes, for example. It’s a headache, but at least we’re building smarter... eventually. Transition periods would be a game changer, though—sometimes it feels like the regs drop overnight and you’re left holding the bag.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR CITY CHANGED ITS CONSTRUCTION RULES?
You’re not wrong—the scramble to keep up with new codes can be brutal, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere. I’ve had to redo entire finish schedules because a spec was suddenly noncompliant with updated fire or energy standards. It’s frustrating in the moment, but I do appreciate that the requirements are pushing us toward safer, more efficient spaces. Still, a little more warning would save everyone a lot of headaches...
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR CITY CHANGED ITS CONSTRUCTION RULES?
Totally get where you’re coming from. Last year, we had a surprise update to the insulation requirements—caught a bunch of us off guard. My tip is to check for city council meeting notes regularly; sometimes you’ll spot hints before the official rollout. It’s not perfect, but it’s saved me from scrambling a few times.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR CITY CHANGED ITS CONSTRUCTION RULES?
That insulation update really threw a wrench in a few projects for us too. Honestly, it feels like the codes change just when you’ve finally got the last set memorized. I try to keep an eye on the planning department’s website, but even then, half the time you only hear about changes when a permit gets kicked back. One thing I’ve noticed—sometimes the city will quietly update a “guideline” before it becomes a hard rule, so checking those can give you a heads-up. Not perfect, but better than finding out mid-build.
Had a situation a couple years back where they tightened up fire separation rules for ADUs and nobody seemed to know until after framing inspections. That one stung. Anyway, you’re right, just gotta stay on your toes and expect the unexpected...
