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Code Status: North Carolina

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

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2003 IECC is the base document for the state-developed 2006 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code. The 2006 NC Amendments are replacements to the Sections printed in the base document. The 2004 Supplement to the I-Codes is referenced in various Sections of the 2006 NC Amendments. REScheck can be used to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: 2003 IECC is the base document for the state-developed code with references ASHRAE 90.1-2004. The 2004 Supplement to the IECC is referenced in various sections of the 2006 NC Amendments. Mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: State Building Code Council reviews and approves changes to the state building code on a bi-annual basis. Most recent update was effective July 1, 2006.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative & Regulatory

Code Change Process: The North Carolina State Building Code Council (SBCC) is responsible for developing all state codes. By statute, the Commissioner of Insurance has general supervision over the administration and enforcement of the North Carolina state building code. Engineering Division staff assist the SBCC. Rule proposals are considered quarterly and anyone may propose a rule change. Final authority to adopt criteria rests with the state legislature. Public hearings are conducted quarterly to consider proposals and must proceed through the rule making process.

State Code History: In December 1973, the North Carolina State Building Code Council adopted the Southern Building Code Congress (SBCC) Standard Building Code insulating standards as statewide requirements. The Building Code Council adopted new standards designed to meet specific North Carolina requirements, which went into effect on January 1, 1978.

The previous state code was based on the 2000 IECC, and was effective December 31, 2001.

Effective July 1, 2006, the base document for the 2006 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code is the 2003 IECC. The 2006 NC Amendments are replacements to the Sections printed in the base document. The 2004 Supplement to the I-Codes is referenced in various Sections of the 2006 NC Amendments.

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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: 714.5 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 563.1 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 1,277.6 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 8,049,313
  • Total Housing Units2: 3,707,129
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 92,411
    • 1 unit: 76,084
    • 2 units: 1,648
    • 3 and 4 units: 857
    • 5+ units: 13,822
    • structures of 5+ units: 884

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

Billy Hinton
Code Consultant
North Carolina Department of Insurance
Engineering Division
322 Chapanoke Road
Raleigh, NC 27601

Tel: (919) 661-5880 Ext. 239
Fax: (919) 662-4414
bhinton@ncdoi.net

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