[HISTORY: Adopted by the Regular Town Meeting of the Town of Wakefield 11-18-2023 by Art. 7.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article also superseded former Ch. 180, Stretch Energy Code, adopted 5-8-2021 ATM by Art. 14
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE (IECC)
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is a building energy code created by the International Code Council. It is a model code adopted by many state and municipal governments in the United States for the establishment of minimum design and construction requirements for energy efficiency, and is updated on a three-year cycle. The baseline energy conservation requirements of the Massachusetts State Building Code are the IECC with Massachusetts amendments, as approved by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards and published in state regulations as part of 780 CMR.
SPECIALIZED ENERGY CODE
Codified by the entirety of 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC, the Specialized Energy Code adds residential and commercial appendices to the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, based on amendments to the respective net-zero appendices of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to incorporate the energy efficiency of the Stretch Energy Code and further reduce the climate impacts of buildings built to this code, with the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector no later than 2050.
STRETCH ENERGY CODE
Codified by the combination of 225 CMR 22 and 23, not including Appendices RC and CC, the Stretch Energy Code is a comprehensive set of amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) seeking to achieve all lifecycle cost-effective energy efficiency in accordance with the Green Communities Act of 2008, as well as to reduce the climate impacts of buildings built to this code.
The purpose of 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC, also referred to as the Specialized Energy Code, is to provide a more energy efficient and low greenhouse gas emissions alternative to the Stretch Energy Code or the baseline Massachusetts Energy Code, applicable to the relevant sections of the building code for both new construction and existing buildings.
The Specialized Energy Code, as codified by the entirety of 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC, and also including any future editions, amendments, or modifications, is herein incorporated by reference into the Town of Wakefield General Bylaws, Chapter 180.
This chapter and, by its incorporation herein, the Specialized Energy Code, 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC, is enforceable by the Town of Wakefield's Building Inspector.
This chapter and, by its incorporation herein, the Specialized Energy Code, 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC, shall take effect in the Town of Wakefield with an effective date of July 1, 2024, subject to the provisions of MGL Chapter 40, Section 32.