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Code Status: Georgia

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

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code: 2006 IECC with state amendments, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code: 2006 IECC referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2004, mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: New editions of codes are reviewed as soon as practicable after publication. Supplements and amendments are updated annually.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: New editions of codes are reviewed as soon as practicable after publication. Supplements and amendments are updated annually.

A rulemaking process is used to adopt new codes and to change existing codes. When a proposed code change is forwarded to the Department of Community Affairs, it is first reviewed by a task force consisting of engineers, architects, builders, and contractors. The task force evaluates the proposal and forwards it to the State Codes Advisory Committee if deemed appropriate. The Advisory Committee also evaluates the proposal and submits it for public hearing. If approved, the proposal is adopted by the Board of Community Affairs for inclusion into the next edition of the code. The Department of Community Affairs is responsible for final rulemaking.

State Code History: The initial edition of the Georgia Energy Code was promulgated by the State Building Administration Board as authorized by Ga. L., 1978, p. 2212, which went into effect on July 16, 1978. The code was based on both the Model Code for Energy Conservation and ASHRAE Standard 90-1975.

The 2000 IECC with state amendments went into effect on January 1, 2003, and SHGC 0.40 requirements which went into effect on January 1, 2004. ASHRAE 90.1-2001 became effective January 1, 2003, although Chapter 8 of the 2000 IECC could be used as an alternative.

The 2006 IECC went into effect January 1, 2008.

The Georgia State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) is meeting July 23, 2009 to assemble task forces to review the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as well as ICC-700 as an option green building standard. The task force will begin meeting at the end of 2009 and continue meeting regularly until its charge has been completed, which is expected to be in the spring of 2010. The task force will consist of stakeholders from state and local governments, utilities, homebuilders and other private industries. Upon approval by the SCAC and the DCA Board, this code will take effect on January 1, 2011.

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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: 723.2 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 549.5 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 1,272.7 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 8,186,453
  • Total Housing Units2: 3,487,088
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 105,554
    • 1 unit: 85,691
    • 2 units: 696
    • 3 and 4 units: 526
    • 5+ units: 18,641
    • structures of 5+ units: 644

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

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 Georgia's allocated amount and updated information. 

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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Max Rietschier
Building Codes Consultant
Construction Codes & Industrialized Buildings
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231

Tel: (404) 679-3104
Fax: (404) 679-0646

Email: mrietsch@dca.state.ga.us

David Gipson
Director, Energy Resources Division
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority
233 Peachtree Street, NE
Harris Tower, Suite 900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Tel: (404) 584-1007
Fax: (404) 584-1069

Email: dgipson@gefa.ga.gov

 

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