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Code Status: Kentucky

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Kentucky. Information for all 50 States is also available. Kentucky Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2006 IECC and 2006 IRC with state amendments.
  • Commercial Code: 2006 IECC and 2006 IBC with state amendments, none of which affect the energy codes.
  • Code Change Cycle: Three-year code review/update cycle. Last updated on July 1, 2007.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative & Regulatory

Code Change Process: The Kentucky Building Code (KBC) is updated every three years on a cycle one year behind the publication year for the International Building Code. Any changes to the code by the state of Kentucky are submitted to the Board of Housing for review by the Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Division of Building Codes Enforcement. The changes are approved in this forum and are forwarded to the Legislative Research Committee for public comment and further review.

During the three-year cycle, proposed changes to the KBC may be submitted for consideration and voted upon by the board. The Division of Building Codes and Enforcement is responsible for complying with code changes and amendments. Once changes and amendments are adopted and entered as part of the state requirements, they become state law by the state statute.

The next update is expected in 2010.

State Code History: The KBC became a minimum statewide requirement on February 15, 1980, for all buildings over three stories in height, in excess of 20,000 square feet and intended for assembly, educational, institutional, or high hazard occupancy or business or industrial occupancies in excess of 100 occupants. In steps, the KBC became effective for all buildings, and by August 15, 1982, the code was applied throughout the entire state of Kentucky. The 1994 and 1997 KBC referenced the 1992 MEC. On July 1, 2005the residential energy code was the 2000 IECC, while the commercial provisions referenced the 2003 IECC.

The 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC – applies to commercial buildings), which is based on the 2006 IBC, became effective July 1, 2007, but there was a 90-day grace period during which builders could use the new code or the existing code.

The 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC – applies to residential buildings) is based in the 2006 IRC, with some modifications to the energy code. Due to a delay during the public comment process, it did not become effective until August 1, 2007. As with the KBC, there was a 90-day grace period during which either the new or existing code may be used.

In addition to these changes, Kentucky now requires inspections of all new HVAC systems statewide (both commercial and residential), including portions of the state that currently have no local building code enforcement. However, due to the need to hire and train inspectors, inspections are not expected to start until January 1, 2009.

Updates on this information can be found on the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Website.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 369.5 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 260.0 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 629.5 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 4,041,769
  • Total Housing Units2: 1,796,900
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 22,384
    • 1 unit: 18,824
    • 2 units: 386
    • 3 and 4 units: 575
    • 5+ units: 2,599
    • structures of 5+ units: 215

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

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