Building Energy Code

NOTE: The new Energy Code became effective starting October 3, 2016. The NYS 2016 Uniform Code Supplement can be accessed at this link. 

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.  

The Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (ECCCNYS) requires that all government, commercial and residential buildings, including renovations involving building system replacement, must follow the 2015 International Energy Conservation (IECC) code. Historic buildings and buildings that do not use either electricity or fossil fuel for comfort conditioning are exempt from these requirements.

The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council has the responsibility make amendments and provide technical support on the form of interpretations and variances.  The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council voted on March  9, 2016  to update the ECCCNYS.  This current code was based on the 2015 IECC and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, along with several NYS specific enhancements (the previous ECCCNYS was based on the 2009 IECC supplement and ASHRAE 90.1-2010).  The newly adopted building codes became effective starting October 3, 2016. 

Enforcement of the requirements rests with the governmental entity administering and enforcing the provisions of the Building Construction Code or the Fire Prevention and Building Construction Code applicable within the municipality.

Electronic versions of NY codes are available for a fee at: http://www.dos.ny.gov/dcea/energy_serv.html. Free online versions of the NY codes can be accessed at the Division of Code Enforcement and Administration (DCEA) website.