MA State Building Code 10th Edition Became Effective on 10-11-24

Effective October 11, 2024, the 10th Edition of the State Building Code will take effect.

The 9th Edition of the Building Code will apply concurrently with the 10th Edition for the remainder of 2024. Building permit applications for projects utilizing the 9th Edition must be filed on or before December 31, 2024. Only complete applications, containing all required documents, will be considered for review under the 9th edition prior to January 1, 2025.

Applications received on or after Jan. 1, 2025, must be based on the 10th edition.

Promulgated over a number of years by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), the 10th Edition is an important update that will modernize the Building Code and better align it with the Fire and Stretch Energy Codes.

Notable additions in the 10th Edition include:

• Improvements related to climate and sustainability, including flood protection, energy storage systems and a more robust base energy code;
• New rules for the construction of smaller units - known as “tiny houses” - to help facilitate their construction by relaxing otherwise prohibitive rules.
• The addition of specific provisions governing buildings and structures utilized in the newly emerging cannabis industry, ensuring industry buildings have adequate ventilation and other life safety systems.

View the Tenth Edition of the MA State Building Code