The State of Maine will soon have a uniform statewide building code that will be the most up-to-date construction code in the United States. This code will be based on the most widely adopted model building code in North America, the International Code Council's family of codes. These codes will include the International Residential Code, the International Building Code, the International Energy Conservation Code and the International Existing Building Code. These codes will be augmented by standards that will establish minimum thresholds for radon and ventilation in all occupied structures.

The State of Maine has moved toward adoption of these codes to not only protect the citizens of the State but to also create uniformity and predictability for professional builders working in the various communities in Maine. This change, although major for many parts of the State, will be less so for the residents of the surrounding areas due to the fact that we have had a model building code in force for quite some time and in Saco, we have been operating under the 2006 edition of the International Energy Code for over a year.

The State law that created these new building codes allows municipalities to work under either the building code that was locally adopted or the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. It is the intent of the Code Enforcement Department to enforce the current edition of the building codes until December 1, 2010 and in the interim, present code update classes to builders and contractors to bring them up to date on the requirements of the new standards.

Watch for announcements here on the City of Saco web site for time and date of upcoming classes.