Building Energy Code

Summary

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

The Bureau of Construction Codes is responsible for the administration of the State Construction Code Act (1972 PA 230), also known as the Uniform Construction Code.

The state energy code is evaluated for revisions or modifications every three years. The new code requirements are adopted at the beginning of each state building code cycle (which corresponds with the three-year cycle of the Building Officials and Code Administrators [BOCA] International, National Building Code [NBC].) The local code official is designated to enforce the state energy requirements. Enforcement is completed through plan review and inspections.

The Michigan Uniform Energy Code Part 10 Rules were adopted March 31, 1999. Revisions to the residential code were scheduled to go into effect in February 2005, however, the implementation of the revised code was suspended by court order for over three years. On October 24, 2008 a state judge dismissed the lawsuit and rescinded the suspension, rendering the revised rules (2003 IRC with 2004 IECC supplement) immediately effective. The most recent code change was filed with the Secretary of State on November 8, 2010 and took effect March 9, 2011. The new code includes 2009 IECC with Michigan amendments and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.

On September 20, 2017, Michigan adopted the 2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1.2013 codes for commercial buildings. On February 8, 2016, Michigan adopted the 2015 IECC with amendments for residential buildings. Both codes are mandatory statewide.