Building Codes Assistance Project

On May 12, the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) approved Appendix 120AA as an optional amendment to the 7th edition Massachusetts Building Code 780 CMR. This optional "stretch code" was developed in response to the call for improved local building energy efficiency in the state. Towns and cities may adopt Appendix 120AA as an alternative to the base energy efficiency requirements of 780 CMR and the forthcoming 8th edition to be based on the 2009 IECC (Massachusetts is required by the Green Communities Act of 2008 to adopt each new IECC edition within one year of its publication).

The appendix, which includes both a residential and commercial stretch code, is designed to be about 30% more stringent than the 2006 IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and will go into effect in a few weeks. The appendix will function as a local option code and once it goes into effect, municipalities will be able to adopt it.  

For more information of the specific requirements of the stretch code, view the resources below, or visit the websites of the Massachusetts BBRS and the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety for updates.

Appendix 120AA: Overview | Final Language | Other

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BCAP Massachusetts Code Status Page