Support climate resilience. Minimize wildfire risk. Enhance housing diversity. Boost energy efficiency.
These are the goals of the 2024 Technical Building Codes, a set of newly adopted regulations for building design, construction, and maintenance in Austin.
Thanks to Austin City Council’s approval on Thursday, April 10, the following practices will go into effect on Thursday, July 10.
1. Air conditioning requirement
To protect residents against extreme heat, all buildings will be required to provide and maintain air conditioning systems. Indoor temperatures should be under 85 degrees and at least 15 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature at all times.
2. Introducing single-stairway designs
Certain multi-family residential buildings with up to five stories can soon utilize central single-stairway layouts, increasing housing options in the city.
3. New at-risk wildfire zones
This amendment will increase the percentage of the city considered at risk of wildfire from 38% to 51%. Construction within at-risk zones will require defensible space around buildings and the use of fire-resistant building materials.
4. Utilizing hempcrete
Hempcrete — an eco-friendly, plant-based building material — was approved for use in residential construction. The lightweight, low-carbon alternative to traditional concrete is nontoxic, fire-resistant, and supports the city’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. New energy efficiency standards
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure will soon be mandatory for new residential and commercial builds — a move that anticipates the needs of Austin’s growing number of EV drivers.
6. Increased pest control + emergency lighting
Pest control checks in multi-unit buildings will be required to include bedbugs and scorpions, and high-rise buildings will receive enhanced emergency lighting for power outages and emergencies.
