SB288 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Sam GivhanSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Building codes; Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board; Alabama Residential Building Code, authorized to be established

Summary

SB288 would create a statewide Alabama Residential Building Code with a dedicated division, advisory council, and fund to enforce minimum construction standards based on the IRC/IECC, require local adoption of those standards, and restrict sprinkler-mandate rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes the Alabama Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders Licensure Board to implement and enforce a statewide Alabama Residential Building Code (and Energy Code) and creates the Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory Council to develop the code. It sets up the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund to finance enforcement and related grants, with private matching funds and limited administrative costs. It requires counties and municipalities to enforce the code and adopt codes that meet the minimum standards, and it prohibits local codes from restricting a homeowner’s option to install a residential fire sprinkler system starting October 1, 2024 (with some grandfathered provisions). It also timelines in which builders must construct according to the new code (starting January 1, 2027) and renames the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board to the Alabama Commercial Energy Code Board with expanded membership and duties.

Who It Affects

• Residential home builders and licensees: must follow the Alabama Residential Building Code starting Jan. 1, 2027, obtain and maintain licenses with enhanced requirements, display license numbers, and adhere to contract and advertisement rules.
• Local governments and residents/homeowners: local jurisdictions must adopt and enforce codes that meet minimum statewide standards, may access funds and grants to support enforcement, and homeowners gain clarified rights regarding sprinkler installations and code-compliant construction.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders Licensure Board to administer the statewide code.
• Creates the Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory Council with diverse representation and six-year terms to recommend the code and updates, and to coordinate with the division.
• Creates the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund in the State Treasury to fund administration, enforcement, and grants, with limits on administrative costs and requirements for private matching funds.
• Requires local counties and municipalities to enforce the Alabama Residential Building Code and to adopt minimum standards; local codes adopted after Oct. 1, 2024 must meet minimum standards and align with the statewide code, except where federal law requires otherwise.
• Prohibits new local codes from restricting consumers’ ability to install residential fire sprinkler systems after Oct. 1, 2024 (grandfathering pre-2010 provisions).
• Sets Jan. 1, 2027 as the date by which residential builders must construct, renovate, or repair in accordance with the Alabama Residential Building Code.
• Renames the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board to the Alabama Commercial Energy Code Board and expands its membership and responsibilities related to energy codes and implementation.
• Creates the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund and Advisory Council to fund construction trade education and related programs, including grants, with matching private funding and reporting requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Buildings, Construction & Infrastructure