NH House rejects bill to update building codes

Opponents cite increased housing costs

January 10, 2018

Bob Sanders,

The NH House on Tuesday shot down two bills that would update the state’s outdated building and fire codes, despite the support of groups representing the building and construction trades.

The bill was rejected on a 188-157 vote. Opponents argued that the codes would increase housing costs.

House Bill 92 would update the states use of the 2009 International Building Code to the 2015 version, along with the updated International Plumbing Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the International Residential Code 2015.

In opposing the bill, Rep. Steven Beaudoin, R-Rochester, cited one estimate that the code would increase costs by 12 percent, though he mainly cited requirements for increased insulation along with a recovery ventilation center which he said would add $8,000 to the cost of a new home.

“There is nothing from stopping someone from building to a higher standard,” he said. “But with a shortage of affordable housing, why would we want to increase the cost to contractors?”

Categories: Real Estate & Construction

More news from NHBR:

NHBR About Town: Week of April 10, 2026

Business and event happenings around the state of NH

The Latest: Week of April 10, 2026

The Latest is a roundup of the comings and goings of the movers and shakers in NH's business community

Ask the Experts: Planning is paramount for wills, trusts and estates

Planning for the future, particularly as a business owner, requires more than a simple will. Our panelist of professionals explore the fundamentals of estate planning, from choosing between wills and trusts to preparing for incapacity and business succession. Their insights highlight how thoughtful planning can protect assets, reduce legal complications, maximize financial benefits and ensure your wishes are carried out for both family and business interests.

NH WARN: what employers need to know about layoff notices

Workforce reductions are never easy. Whether driven by economic uncertainty, industry shifts or strategic restructuring, layoffs can be some of the most difficult decisions business leaders face. At the same time, workforce reductions carry legal obligations that are easy to overlook, particularly under state law. In New Hampshire, one of the most misunderstood of those obligations is the state’s WARN Act.

New administrator of YDC fund confirmed

Nearly nine months after a controversial change to the Youth Development Center abuse claims process pushed the administrator from his job and stalled the proceedings for survivors, the fund now has a new leader.

(Opinion) Opportunity Zones 2.0: Other states are getting ready, is New Hampshire?

With the permanent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this past summer, Opportunity Zones (OZ) are being reset, and with it, an opportunity for New Hampshire to shape what comes next. The question is whether we’re ready and whether municipalities, developers and state leaders are aligned to act.

(Opinion) Businesses are part of the village that stops child abuse and neglect

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. New Hampshire Children’s Trust (NHCT), in collaboration with our national partner, Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA), uses this month as an opportunity to spread awareness about ways to stop child abuse and neglect before it happens.

(Opinion) Is supporting employee wellness worth the cost?

It is likely that individual health is one of the core drivers of our economy and productivity. Seeing the potential value of employers investing in wellness may even seem straightforward. Trickier however, might be finding affordable and appealing ways to do this amid the tight margins and self-reliant cultures of agriculture and natural resources sectors.

Outdoor recreation is economic infrastructure

New Hampshire has long acknowledged outdoor recreation as an asset. We speak of it in terms of quality of life, tourism appeal and regional character. That framing, while not inaccurate, is no longer sufficient.