Anyone experiencing pre- code cycle change surge in applications?

[Yikes]

Out here in California, the 2025 codes go into effect 1/1/2026. This includes changes in our energy codes, etc., and as a result, many Owners are pushing to get plans submitted before the end of the year.

I was talking to one major AHJ that said with their current available staffing vs. demand, any plans submitted to them today won't have their first plan check complete until March 2026!

Are you experiencing anything similar?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Nothing that extreme. Our next code should have gone into effect on October 1. Then it slipped and we were told it would happen in the first quarter of 2026. This morning, I heard from three different people at the state that it won't happen until July of 2026 -- and maybe not even then.

Somebody needs to figure out a way to stop legislators from mucking around with building codes.

There is usually a bit of a surge in applications whenever we change the codes, but nothing as extreme as creating a four-month backlog. That's not a backlog -- that's a log jam.

 

[TheCommish]

Massachusetts usually has a 6 month transition period. Any application that is substantially competed and received before the drop dead date can be permitted under the older code.

My office will reject at submittal any application that is not substantially completed at application regardless of the code cycle.

A 4 month wait for first review is unacceptable.

 

[mark handler]

I have seen a decline over the last six months.

 

[MtnArch]

Mark - Do you think the Palisades/Alta Dena fires have affected this?

 

[mark handler]

Mark - Do you think the Palisades/Alta Dena fires have affected this?

Economy
Most delays/cancelations occurred after tariffs went into effect.
material costs.....lumber, appliances, cabinets, coatings/paints, all went up......

 

[Joe.B]

Normally we see a surge in the months leading up to a new code. Not this time, things are really slow right now. Partially it's the "economy", but also our university just completed a ~900 bed project, and that tipped us into a development stall. Hoping things turn around next year...

 

[steveray]

I was talking to one major AHJ that said with their current available staffing vs. demand, any plans submitted to them today won't have their first plan check complete until March 2026

That is disgusting and shameful…

 

[Joe.B]

That is disgusting and shameful…

Says the guy who meets his budget needs for a year in 4 months...

Round these here parts building departments are generally under budgeted and understaffed.

But... I agree, it aint right, they should just farm it out to 3rd party.

 

[arwat23]

I was talking to one major AHJ that said with their current available staffing vs. demand, any plans submitted to them today won't have their first plan check complete until March 2026!

That's insane... The jurisdictions around me are experiencing a typical end of year rush at best, and a slowdown at worst. Nothing like what you described.

One jurisdiction told me that, compared to the last decade, this year has had the lowest new application submissions for the last few months. There was a surge early in the year, but the number of submissions has fallen off a cliff.

Lots of people trying to sell their homes and no one's buying, so less house flippers than before I guess.

 

[Yikes]

Without going into detail, this AHJ reviews a lot of essential facilities that cannot be quickly outsourced for plan check. If I understand correctly, the construction valuation of the applications they were receiving that particular day alone was totaling over a billion dollars.
For comparison, public construction valuation in my state is about $55 billion annually, and that includes a lot of roads and other infrastructure.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Virginia allows people to keep submitting plans under the previous code edition for up to one year after a new edition is adopted.