#building-codes

#building-codes

America's quilt work of states whose governors and lawmakers are bucking for housing policy change to break through supply constraints at the root of the nation's affordability crisis now counts Massachusetts among them. With a focus on prohibitively constrictive building codes and zoning ordinances, Gov. Maura Healey has adopted an approach officials in other states and cities have taken before pulling the legislative trigger study the matter for a year or more before drafting a reform policy agenda.

"From what we see in real homes every day at Remodel Republic , insurance premiums are often tied to how old a home is, what it's built with, and how well it's been maintained over time," says Wade, Project Manager at Remodel Republic in . "Older homes can cost more to insure due to aging electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems, while homes that have been updated with modern, code-compliant materials tend to carry less risk."

California's emerging housing fracas over a single stairwell may become a lightning rod, affecting both building codes and capital investment in more multifamily projects in more places. California's Fire Marshal is reportedly in the final stages of a report due this month on whether the state will allow singlestair multifamily buildings above three stories, and on when and how they may be permitted.

Here are the morning's top stories on Wednesday, December 31, 2025... HSIs were created in the 1990s to ensure that colleges enrolling large numbers of Latino students received adequate funding to help those students graduate. In California, more than 90% of community colleges, and 21 out of 22 California State Universities and seven of nine University of California undergraduate campuses qualify as HSIs. Community colleges in the state estimate they will lose at least $20 million this year.

I think it brings a lot of benefits," District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, a key backer of the reforms, told San José Spotlight. "It means that we can build multifamily housing on more small parcels - close to downtown, close to our transit networks - that are currently really difficult to build under the current building codes.

There is growing awareness around sustainability-and the environmental cost of prematurely demolishing safe, structurally sound buildings only to replace them with new construction. In the broader race to reduce carbon emissions, corporations and institutions are placing greater emphasis on ESG performance (environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance). Many now require carbon accounting, set " carbon-neutral" targets, or purchase carbon credits to offset footprints.

The Breslins purchased a home for $575,000 and invested $400,000 in unpermitted renovations, leading to the collapse of a $1.5 million sale. Avoiding permits to sidestep costly requirements backfired for the Breslins, leading to a ruling that they fraudulently concealed the unpermitted work. Despite major defects uncovered during a home inspection, the Breslins failed to disclose issues to subsequent buyers, resulting in legal repercussions.

The purpose was to look for ways to work together with federal engagement to have a more coordinated approach to wildfire preparation, risk, mitigation and resiliency,

During the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners converted basements, garages, and attics into bedrooms or offices—often without pulling permits or following building codes.