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Code Status: Connecticut

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Connecticut. Information for all 50 States is also available. Connecticut Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2006 IECC, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: 2006 IECC, mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: Not more than every four years. 2006 IECC became effective August 1, 2009.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process:

State Code History: Full Connecticut State Building Code History

In 1979 legislation was passed requiring that the State Building and Fire Safety Codes (SBC) promote and ensure design and construction of energy-conserving buildings and the use of renewable resources. In 1988 provisions were included in the enabling legislation requiring revision of the state building code no later than July 1989, in order to incorporate necessary 1988 BOCA International revisions into the state building code. Furthermore, future revisions were limited to occur not more than every four years thereafter.

On June 4, 2007, the governor signed Public Act 07-242 into law that will require all buildings except residential buildings with less than five units that are projected to cost $5 million or more to qualify for a LEED-Silver rating or an equivalent standard, such as a two-globe rating under the Green Globes USA design program.

The 2009 Amendment to the 2005 State Building Code updated the energy code for residential and commercial buildings to the 2006 IECC. The final proposed draft of the State Building Code 2009 Amendment proceeded through the regulatory adoption process and became effective on August 1, 2009.

 

A second 2009 Amendment to the 2005 State Building Code revising Chapter 541, Sec. 29-256a of the General Statutes of Connecticut (to comply with Public Act 07-242) requires all buildings except residential buildings with less than five units that are projected to cost $5 million or more to qualify for a LEED-Silver rating or an equivalent standard, such as a two-globe rating under the Green Globes USA design program. The same is required of renovation projects that are expected to cost $2 million or more. Due to the problems of enforcement, efforts are underway to propose overriding legislation to remove the requirement but keep the state on a path to strong energy codes. 

A state bill (HB 6284) to update the state energy code and to create green building standards was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell on July 8, 2009. The bill requires the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee to revise the State Building Code to incorporate the 2012 IECC within 18 months of its publication for commercial and residential buildings. It also would require a LEED-Silver rating for new construction greater than $5 million AND renovations greater than $2 million.  

More information is available on the Office of the State Building Inspector website.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 269.4 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 202.1 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 471.5 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 3,405,565
  • Total Housing Units2: 1,402,643
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 11,939
    • 1 unit: 8,932
    • 2 units: 198
    • 3 and 4 units: 229
    • 5+ units: 2,580
    • structures of 5+ units: 125

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
Green Building Initiatives
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Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for Connecticut's allocated amount and updated information. 

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Mr. John Ruckes
Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
450 Capitol Avenue, MS 52ENR
Hartford, CT 06106

Tel: (860) 418-6384
Fax: (860) 418-6495

Email: john.ruckes@ct.gov
Web site: http://www.ct.gov/opm

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