MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed Assembly Bill 450, halting an effort by lawmakers to postpone enforcement of the state’s updated commercial building codes. The legislation, which passed both the Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support, sought to delay new standards based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) until the spring of 2026.
The new codes—published in August after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling—represent a major overhaul to statewide construction requirements, introducing updated safety measures, clearer compliance language, and significant energy efficiency improvements. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) had already delayed enforcement twice, pushing implementation first from September to October and then to November in response to concerns from builders, architects, and engineering firms.
Despite those delays, Gov. Evers rejected the proposal for an additional extension.
“I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because I object to the further unnecessary delay in implementing new building standards that will benefit Wisconsin communities,” the governor wrote in his veto message released Friday.
The path to adopting the new IBC-based standards has been unusually complex. In 2023, DSPS attempted to apply updated codes, but was blocked by a legislative veto from the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR). The committee’s intervention halted progress for more than a year, until the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in July that JCRAR had exceeded its constitutional authority. The ruling paved the way for agencies to move forward with rulemaking without similar legislative interference.
With authority restored, DSPS published the new codes this summer—only for industry groups to request additional implementation time as they reworked project plans already underway.
Many in the commercial construction sector argued that enforcing new rules in the fall would require them to revisit plans already submitted, resulting in delays, redesign work, and expanded costs. HVAC and refrigeration professionals, however, noted that the revised standards could lower operational costs over time thanks to a stronger focus on energy savings.
DSPS attempted to minimize disruption, stating they would not require developers to stop or refile plans already approved under the previous code cycle. The agency also clarified that envelope plans submitted before the end of October would be grandfathered in, while mechanical plans—such as HVAC, refrigeration, and fire suppression—could be matched to whichever building code applied when the initial plans were filed.
Still, lawmakers sponsoring AB 450 argued more time was needed to avoid confusion.
State Sen. Rob Hutton, a Republican co-author of the bill, expressed frustration with the veto.
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“It’s disappointing to see Gov. Evers side with Madison bureaucrats over the construction professionals who are literally building Wisconsin,” Hutton said in a statement. “I fear the sloppy, sudden implementation of these regulations will force building projects across the state back to the drawing board and worsen the housing shortage that affects all Wisconsinites.”
Gov. Evers argued the opposite, stating that pushing the deadline again would create uncertainty for builders already preparing to comply.
“This bill would not only create confusion for developers with current building projects under review but would also further delay the implementation of new safety and energy efficiency standards that have been already widely adopted,” the governor said. “The department has and will continue to work with building professionals throughout the state to ensure proper understanding and compliance with the new building commercial code.”
Wisconsin last updated its statewide commercial code in 2015, adopting a version of the International Building Code with several state-specific adjustments known as “Wisconsinisms.” The 2021 code update includes more stringent requirements for building envelope performance, sustainability, and energy savings—changes that align Wisconsin with national trends emphasizing greener construction and lower long-term operating costs.
As the state moves forward, DSPS will continue rolling out education and technical assistance to help architects, contractors, and engineers adapt to the revised standards. With the veto of AB 450, the updated commercial building codes remain active and will govern new construction and major renovations across Wisconsin.
Originally reported by Ethan Duran, BridgeTower Media in Finance-Commerce.
