Phoenix Updates Building Code to Boost Safety and Sustainability

Phoenix Approves 2024 Building Code Update to Enhance Safety, Sustainability, and Accessibility

The Phoenix City Council has officially adopted an updated building construction code, introducing a suite of new requirements aimed at improving safety, promoting sustainability, and encouraging innovative development throughout Arizona’s capital. The 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code will take effect on August 1, following a grace period for ongoing projects, according to a Wednesday press release.

Designed to align with the city's rapid growth and long-term development goals, the new code reflects the work of planners, industry experts, and community stakeholders who reviewed and revised local construction standards.

“Updating the building code is one of the most impactful ways we can promote safety, sustainability and long-term value for our residents and development community,” said Joshua Bednarek, Director of Phoenix’s Planning and Development Department. “These changes reflect the hard work of city staff, stakeholders and technical experts, who reviewed every code and amendment to ensure this update meets the needs of our growing city, now and in the future.”

One notable change under the new code is a provision requiring EV charging readiness in one- and two-family homes. The policy ties into Phoenix’s broader Transportation Electrification Action Plan, aimed at expanding access to clean mobility infrastructure.

In another major shift, the code includes improved water conservation standards, mandating lower maximum flow rates for faucets, showers, and toilets to help address Arizona’s long-term water challenges.

Other highlights of the updated code include:

• No permit requirement for storage shipping containers and residential fence replacements, streamlining smaller home improvement projects.
• Approval for the use of mass timber—a sustainable engineered wood material—in buildings up to 18 stories tall.
• Relaxed space requirements for mechanical systems in multifamily developments, allowing builders to maximize usable square footage.

Developers using "standard plans" will have up to one year to bring their designs into compliance with the new code, offering flexibility while aligning with the city’s policy objectives.

The update is part of a broader strategy by city officials to support Phoenix’s role as a growing urban center. With record-breaking population increases and strong development activity, local leaders see the code change as a proactive measure.

The 2024 update follows other recent city moves aimed at smart urban growth. Mayor Kate Gallego has pushed for more sustainable housing near transit and recently announced the transformation of the former Phoenix Police Headquarters into a new mixed-use housing project, calling it a “gateway to the downtown core.”

The revised building code not only encourages responsible construction but also positions Phoenix as a leader in adopting modern, forward-looking standards. By embedding sustainability and accessibility into the foundation of its construction policy, the city aims to shape neighborhoods that are resilient, inclusive, and better equipped for the challenges ahead.

Originally reported by Payne Moses in KTAR News.