When was the last time your city changed its construction rules?

Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to rework a plan because the city tweaked something minor. Last year, they changed stair railing heights—didn’t even announce it clearly. Do you keep a checklist for code updates, or just rely on inspectors?

I keep a running checklist, but honestly, it’s a pain to keep up with every little change. I’ve learned not to trust that inspectors will always catch things early enough. I usually check the city’s website every couple months and jot down anything new—especially for stuff like railing heights or egress requirements. It’s tedious, but it’s saved me from last-minute headaches more than once.

I hear you on the checklist—it’s a lot to keep up with, especially when the city rolls out updates without much warning. I’ve had projects where a minor code tweak on window sill heights threw off our whole schedule. Out of curiosity, do you ever reach out directly to the building department for clarification, or do you just rely on what’s posted online? Sometimes I find their interpretations can be a bit different than what’s written...

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR CITY CHANGED ITS CONSTRUCTION RULES?

Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way not to trust just what’s posted online. Half the time, the website’s out of date or missing some “unofficial” interpretation that the inspector’s got in their back pocket. I’ll call or even swing by the building department if I’m nearby—sometimes you get a grumpy answer, but at least it’s straight from the source. Plus, I’ve found they’re more open to green alternatives if you talk face-to-face. Online, it’s just a wall of PDFs and no wiggle room...