Bradley County Commissioner Charlotte Peak-JonesCLEVELAND, Tenn. - A 90-day comment period will begin soon on proposed changes to Bradley County's building codes.
Last week, county commissioners voted 14-0 to advertise the county's intent to adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, the 2012 International Building Code and other international codes related to fire, plumbing and mechanical standards.
Most of the county's current building codes date back to 2006 and were adopted in October 2010.
"I recommend anyone wishing to comment on the proposed changes should contact the office of the Bradley County Mayor," said Commissioner Charlotte Peak, a developer, who sponsored the measure.
"If the county chooses not to make an update to its codes, the state will step in and mandate that we adopt the upcoming 2015 codes, which are more restrictive," she said.
Acting now will be "less burdensome to contractors," Peak said.
She said Cleveland already has adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2012 International Building Code.
However, there will be a few differences, she said. The city requires a "blower door test," which calculates a structure's air leaks, Peak said. Bradley County's proposed energy code changes do not include that test.
While the vote to notify the public of the proposed code changes was unanimous, a number of commissioners have expressed concerns in recent discussions.
Home builder Dennis Epperson spoke to commissioners on the intents and impacts of the new codes.
"This is what you get," said Commissioner Dan Rawls about state and federal authorities pushing regulations down to the local level. "You can't do anything for yourself."
Regulations that are at odds with regional and local needs are being addressed at the state level, Epperson said.
If the county adopts the new codes, they will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.