SB311 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Counties and municipalities, statewide residential building code established, enforcement, Alabama Residential Building Code, Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory Council, Alabama Residential Building Code Division, Alabama Residential Building Code Fund established, Secs. 27-2-39, 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2, 34-14A-7, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-13, 34-14A-20 am'd.

Summary

SB311 creates a statewide Alabama Residential Building Code framework with an IRC-based code, a state enforcement division, and new funding and education programs to support enforcement and local adoption.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory Council to recommend a statewide code based on the International Residential Code. It establishes the Alabama Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders Licensure Board to enforce the code where local governments do not and to assist local jurisdictions with implementation. It requires counties, municipalities, and residential builders to follow minimum standards, with all new or renovated residences from January 1, 2025 built to those standards, and it requires mortgagors to provide permit and inspection documentation to lenders upon project completion. It also creates funding and education programs to support enforcement, local adoption, and contractor training, and includes licensing provisions and restrictions on mandatory residential fire sprinkler installations.

Who It Affects

• Residential home builders and remodelers must build, renovate, and repair in accordance with the Alabama Residential Building Code and obtain or maintain licensure, including displaying license numbers on contracts and advertising.
• Counties, municipalities, and other local governments must enforce the minimum standards or work with the new Division; they may adopt local codes that meet the minimum standards and may form cooperatives or seek enforcement assistance and funding.

Key Provisions

• Creation of the Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory Council to recommend an Alabama Residential Building Code based on the International Residential Code, including energy efficiency and roof deck standards.
• Establishment of the Alabama Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders Licensure Board to enforce the code in areas that do not enforce and to assist local governments with adoption and enforcement.
• Creation of the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund to pay for enforcement, staffing, administrative operations, and local-government assistance, plus provisions for matching grants to promote code enforcement.
• Creation of the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund and Advisory Council to fund construction trade education programs (tool grants, mobile demonstrations, adult education) with required private matching funds and annual reporting to the Legislature.
• Mandatory statewide code compliance beginning January 1, 2025 for new and renovated residences; mortgagors must provide permit and inspection documentation to lenders on completion; local codes may meet minimum standards but cannot override them.
• Licensing provisions for residential builders, including examination, experience, financial condition, contract requirements, displaying license numbers, and provisions for inactive licenses.
• Prohibition on enforcing or requiring residential fire sprinkler systems; municipalities and counties may not impose mandatory sprinkler installation, with grandfathering for pre-2010 ordinances.
• Appropriation of $1,600,000 to the Home Builders Licensure Board from the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Residential Construction