Minnesota DLI initiates new TAG for single-stair apartments as Building Code revisions continue

Over the past 13 months, a series of Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) have been meeting to go over changes to the model building codes and proposed Minnesota-specific amendments. These include the Residential Energy Code TAG, Residential Building Code TAG, Accessibility Code TAG, Administration and Minnesota Provisions TAG, Commercial Building Code TAG, Elevator Code TAG, Existing Building Code TAG, Fire Code Compatibility TAG, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code TAG and Structural TAG. Each TAG consists of experts in their field, including on the construction and building official side.

Apart from the Residential Building Code TAG, all of these groups have been working through proposed changes to the Minnesota State Building Code. The Residential Building Code TAG will begin its work later this year as the delay in receiving new code books has prevented the TAG from starting. The Residential Energy Code TAG has been on pause since early 2024 and will also resume its work once the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s (DLI) technical staff have had the opportunity to review the 2024 IECC.

A new TAG was formed after the Legislature directed DLI to examine single-stair apartments. This TAG will begin its work later this year.

Plumbing Code Review Continues

The Plumbing Board’s Ad Hoc Committee has been reviewing the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Minnesota amendments. Work reviewing changes to the Plumbing Code is expected to continue into 2025 and the final rulemaking on the code will be completed after work on the Building Code wraps up.