Freeport Planning commission backs ordinance to adopt 2021 International Codes and 2020 NEC; council review next
June 24, 2025 | Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas
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The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve Ordinance No. 2025‑2738, which would amend the city code to adopt the 2021 editions of the International Codes and the 2020 edition of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC). The commission’s approval will be forwarded to city council for final action.
City staff told the commission that the city currently enforces the 2015 building codes and had previously presented the update to council. A city staff member said, “we are the city is under the 2015 building code years,” and explained the purpose was to bring the city current with the model codes. Staff said the update applies to new construction; the update is not retroactive. The staff presenter said the city plans to offer a 60‑day grace period after council approval for plan submittals that are already in progress so applicants do not have to rework nearly complete plans.
Commissioners asked about specific changes in the code packet. Staff and another city staff speaker highlighted several substantive updates that arose in the newer model codes: increased attention to electrical energy storage, revised emergency response and active‑shooter procedures, requirements for remote locking systems in some school exit doors, and expanded guidance for residential sprinkler systems (13R) affecting hotels, motels and apartments. The staff discussion also noted updated guidance for mobile food units and LP gas safety and clarified that many modern smoke detectors now combine smoke and carbon monoxide detection.
A commissioner asked whether violations under the amended ordinance remain criminally enforceable; staff replied that code violations could be issued as a misdemeanor citation and assessed a fine consistent with the city’s ordinance enforcement practice. Commissioners also clarified the name of the electrical standard: “The electrical code, is considered national. It’s the NEC,” a staff speaker said, referring to NFPA 70. Staff emphasized the change would not affect projects already permitted or substantially complete; the 60‑day grace window would allow plans currently in review to be submitted under the prior code years.
On the motion to recommend adoption of Ordinance No. 2025‑2738, the commission vote was recorded in the meeting as 3–1 in favor. The commission chair said the ordinance will be taken to city council for final approval; if council approves it, the new code year will become effective following council’s adoption and any required public notice.
City staff told the commission that the city currently enforces the 2015 building codes and had previously presented the update to council. A city staff member said, “we are the city is under the 2015 building code years,” and explained the purpose was to bring the city current with the model codes. Staff said the update applies to new construction; the update is not retroactive. The staff presenter said the city plans to offer a 60‑day grace period after council approval for plan submittals that are already in progress so applicants do not have to rework nearly complete plans.
Commissioners asked about specific changes in the code packet. Staff and another city staff speaker highlighted several substantive updates that arose in the newer model codes: increased attention to electrical energy storage, revised emergency response and active‑shooter procedures, requirements for remote locking systems in some school exit doors, and expanded guidance for residential sprinkler systems (13R) affecting hotels, motels and apartments. The staff discussion also noted updated guidance for mobile food units and LP gas safety and clarified that many modern smoke detectors now combine smoke and carbon monoxide detection.
A commissioner asked whether violations under the amended ordinance remain criminally enforceable; staff replied that code violations could be issued as a misdemeanor citation and assessed a fine consistent with the city’s ordinance enforcement practice. Commissioners also clarified the name of the electrical standard: “The electrical code, is considered national. It’s the NEC,” a staff speaker said, referring to NFPA 70. Staff emphasized the change would not affect projects already permitted or substantially complete; the 60‑day grace window would allow plans currently in review to be submitted under the prior code years.
On the motion to recommend adoption of Ordinance No. 2025‑2738, the commission vote was recorded in the meeting as 3–1 in favor. The commission chair said the ordinance will be taken to city council for final approval; if council approves it, the new code year will become effective following council’s adoption and any required public notice.
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