Starting Nov. 1, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services will enforce the commercial building code, which uses the 2021 International Building Code, after hearing feedback from the construction industry, according to The Daily Reporter. The department initially announced a hard deadline of Oct. 1; the rules took effect Sept. 1.
In 2023, a legislative committee blocked new standards from being implemented; previously, Wisconsin used international standards from 2015. A State Supreme Court decision cleared a path for the updated code during the summer when it found the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules used an unconstitutional “legislative veto” to block implementation of new codes in 2023.
“The process to develop this code experienced delays beyond usual rulemaking, including legislative tactics that stalled progress and the resulting court proceedings,” said Dan Hereth, secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services. “As a result, this is the first upgrade to this code in a decade and represents a big change for the industry. So, to ensure a smooth transition for our partners in the building industry, we are granting an additional grace period for project submittals.”
All submitted building plans for commercial buildings, including multifamily buildings, must meet the new code standards after Oct. 31.
