The City of Columbia is inviting residents, builders and industry professionals to weigh in on proposed updates to its building safety standards through a public forum focused on the adoption of the 2024 International Building Codes.
According to a news release from the Community Development Department, the forum will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers of the Daniel Boone City Building at 701 E. Broadway. The meeting is being hosted in coordination with the city’s Building and Construction Codes Commissions.
City officials say the proposed adoption would represent a significant update from the 2018 International Building Codes currently in use. The International Building Codes establish minimum requirements for construction and building safety and are widely adopted by jurisdictions across the country.
The forum is open to anyone interested in learning more about the proposed code changes, the rationale behind the updates and how the standards are designed to promote safer and more resilient construction practices.
The building code update is currently in a 90-day public review and comment period, which began earlier this winter and will conclude Feb. 17. During this time, residents and stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed changes and provide feedback before the matter moves forward to City Council.
To support public engagement, the Community Development Department has posted proposed amendments, summaries of major changes for each code book and a public, read-only link to the 2024 International Codes on its website. Community members may also submit questions or comments through the city’s BeHeard online engagement platform.
All public input received during the review period will be evaluated by city staff and compiled into a report for City Council consideration as part of the adoption process, according to the news release.
City officials say public participation will play a key role in shaping how the updated codes are implemented and ensuring the standards reflect community priorities while maintaining modern safety requirements.
Originally reported by Lani Hines, KOMU 8 Digital Producer in KOMU.
