Staff briefs council on 2024 International Codes and 2023 National Electrical Code; recommends September effective date

Brett King, director of development services and the city’s building official, briefed the City Council on July 8 about proposed adoption of the 2024 International Codes and the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC). King described the triennial code cycle, noted this round did not include major statewide changes affecting Carrollton, and recommended a target effective date of September to give the building community time to adjust.

King said the residential portions of the energy code were delayed in publication this cycle and that regional code officials have coordinated proposed local amendments through the council of governments (COG) so contractors working across multiple cities in the metroplex see consistent language. Staff reported that the city’s property standards board reviewed the draft amendments on June 26 and recommended approval to council.

Council members asked whether the city is required to adopt the codes; King said the city is not required but that staying current supports ISO and insurance rating considerations and aligns Carrollton with neighboring jurisdictions. King also noted that the 2021/2024 code cycles previously added provisions for heavier timber construction and other changes developers and code officials have implemented.

No formal council vote was recorded in this session; staff recommended the September effective date if council adopts the ordinance. King offered to provide additional technical detail in follow‑up for any council member who wanted to get “into the weeds.”