The International Code Council and the Modular Building Institute (MBI) applaud the Salt Lake City Council for its recent vote to adopt the new standards that are being developed to capture best practices for the effective use of off-site construction: ICC/MBI Standard 1200: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly and ICC/MBI Standard 1205: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance. The new standards provide minimum requirements for off-site and modular construction to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare, and address the challenges posed by the need for local inspection and regulatory compliance.

The Code Council and MBI recognized the challenges many communities face in delivering affordable housing and the impact of off-site construction to address those needs. Off-site construction can also support jurisdictions achieving their goals of sustainability and jobsite safety. The Code Council and MBI initiated the development of these standards to help communities and the industry more readily capture the benefits of off-site construction while also assuring local building codes and safety are maintained.

“We applaud the Salt Lake City Council for this important step forward with Standards 1200 and 1205,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “With the major economic and safety benefits that result from off-site construction, this is paramount to Salt Lake City’s efforts to address the critical need for safe, sustainable and affordable buildings and communities.”

“Salt Lake City is the first jurisdiction in the country to adopt this standard and their City leaders should be commended for their vision,” said MBI Executive Director Tom Hardiman.  “This standard ensures the City has another resource in its toolbox to address their housing and building infrastructure needs.”

“The lack of affordable housing is a crisis facing cities all over the country,” said Amy Fowler, the Salt Lake City Council Chair. “This would allow the city to include another stock of housing that can be quick, affordable, and attainable. It gives more flexibility in the construction process for modular buildings and helps remove one of the barriers to building tiny homes."

ICC/MBI Standard 1200 and 1205 are set to be finalized in mid-2021. To view the second public review draft, click here.

The International Code Council develops model building codes, including the International Building Code and International Residential Code, which serve as the basis for Utah’s construction codes. The Code Council also provides communities with solutions supporting implementation of those codes and other community safety, sustainability and resilience policies. The Modular Building Institute is the international non-profit trade association representing modular construction.

For additional information on off-site construction, visit iccsafe.org/offsite.

Additional Resources:

• ICC Off-Site Construction Video
• ICC Off-Site Construction FAQs