JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The State of Wyoming has been working on adopting new Building Codes since July of 2021. In response, the Town of Jackson announced it will shift from the current 2018 codes to the updated state adopted 2021 codes by January 1, 2022.
Effective January 2022 Wyoming will officially move to the 2021 International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code and Fuel Gas Code. At that same time, the Town of Jackson will adopt the 2021 Energy Conservation, Wildland Urban Interface, Residential and Plumbing Codes.
Concurrently the Town will also amend the International Building, Existing Building, Fire, Mechanical, and Fuel Gas codes to be more restrictive and address unique realities in our community. Local jurisdictions are allowed to amend State adopted codes to be more restrictive but not less.
Building and Fire codes establish minimum requirements to safeguard the health, safety, and general welfare of the community. These codes achieve this by ensuring all buildings comply with minimum standards for structural strength, means of egress, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety from fire and other hazards. Additionally, these codes provide safety for firefighters and emergency responders should their services be needed at a given property.
The Town of Jackson’s Building Department and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS are responsible for review, and inspection of Building and Fire codes in Jackson. These departments see keeping up with the most current codes as key to upholding their goal of assuring the public safety of residents and visitors by requiring the built environment is up-to-code.
Specific changes in the new versions of the codes and local amendments based on the unique realities in our community:
- International Energy Conservation Code– Adoption of the 2021 code will include increased R-values for ceiling insulation from R-49 to R-60 and Window and Door fenestration U-Factors from U-.32 to U-.30. Jackson’s code will amend out all commissioning requirements as our community does not have commissioning agencies for builders to meet this requirement.
- International Building and Residential Codes– Adoption of the 2021 code will include a local amendment adding requirements for Cold Roof Systems on Structural Insulated Panel roofs.
- International Wildland-Urban Interface Code– Adoption of the 2021 code will include a local amendment prohibiting the use of wood shakes and wood shingles within the mapped Wildland-Urban Interface areas of town.
The new codes have been read as Ordinances by the Jackson Town Council including requests for public comment and will become effective January 1, 2022.
