Stretch Building Energy Codes
While many states have adopted mandatory building and building energy codes, local jurisdictions have the power to adopt regulations that are more rigorous than state codes. These are known as stretch codes, as opposed to the base code, and result in more energy efficiency and thus more energy savings. Local governments can use stretch codes to incorporate technologies, methodologies, and regulations that are not included in statewide mandates. Often, stretch codes will be performance-based, which measure the overall energy usage of a building.
Key Resources
State and Local Stretch Codes
Building Decarbonization Code
Stretch Codes
Model Rules
Building Decarbonization Code
ZERO Code
Model States
Illinois
The Illinois Capital Development Board approved the Illinois Residential Stretch Code on April 9, 2024. The Code will be available for municipalities to adopt by October 31, 2024.
Massachusetts
The Stretch Energy Code is 2021 IECC with Massachusetts amendments, and the Specialized Code is a municipal opt-in code that is designed to ensure new construction is consistent with the state's target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
New York
The NYStretch Energy Code: 2020 is a voluntary locally adopted stretch energy code that offers municipalities a more energy-efficient alternative to the minimum state energy code.
Vermont
The Vermont Residential Energy Building Standards (RBES) Stretch Code is a building energy code for residential buildings that achieves greater energy savings than the statewide RBES.
Stretch Building Energy Codes By State
Status | State Sort descending | Region | Components | YR Enacted | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Not Enacted |
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Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
Any municipality that adopts or updates building codes is also required to adopt or exceed the 2021 IECC. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
West | 2022 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Northeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Illinois Capital Development Board approved the Illinois Residential Stretch Code on April 9, 2024. The Code will be available for municipalities to adopt by October 31, 2024. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Midwest | 2024 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) Stretch Code incorporates 2021 IECC and certain appendices. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Northeast | 2021 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Stretch Energy Code is 2021 IECC with Massachusetts amendments, and the Specialized Code is a municipal opt-in code that is designed to ensure new construction is consistent with the state's target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Northeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Northeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southwest | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The NYStretch Energy Code: 2020 is a voluntary locally adopted stretch energy code that offers municipalities a more energy-efficient alternative to the minimum state energy code. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Northeast | 2020 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southwest | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Oregon Reach Code is a statewide optional energy construction standard approved by the Building Codes Division. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
West | 2023 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Northeast | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Rhode Island Stretch Codes are used on a voluntary basis for private and public building construction and renovation projects. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Northeast | 2018 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Vermont Residential Energy Building Standards (RBES) Stretch Code is a building energy code for residential buildings that achieves greater energy savings than the statewide RBES. Establishing Policies
Empty column
|
Northeast | 2024 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Southeast | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
Midwest | |||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. Empty column
|
West |