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

Current State Codes

Residential Code: 7th Edition, Massachusetts State Building Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (780 CMR), Chapter 61: Between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, builders may used EITHER the amended 7th Edition code requiring the 2009 IECC with MA amendments OR the previous 7th Edition compliance paths allowing that new homes either comply with the 2006 IECC and 2007 supplement or attain a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 100 or fewer points. Beginning July 1, 2010, builders must use the amended 7th Edition code. Mandatory statewide; REScheck can be used to show compliance.
Commercial Code: 7th Edition, Massachusetts State Building Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (780 CMR), Chapter 13: Between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, builders may used EITHER the amended 7th Edition code requiring the 2009 IECC with MA amendments OR the previous 7th Edition allowing compliance with either the 2006 IECC with 2007 supplement or ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Beginning July 1, 2010, builders must use the amended 7th Edition code. Mandatory statewide; COMcheck can be used to show compliance.
Code Change Cycle: The state Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) is required to revise the building code to the latest version of the IECC every three years. Public hearings are held each May and November to consider proposed modifications to the code. Most recent update effective January 1, 2010.

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: Code amendment cycles occur twice a year, as required by statute, and include a public hearing process. The Board of Building Regulations & Standards has sole authority to promulgate the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC). Anyone can submit code change proposals to the Board. Adopted code changes are typically promulgated during the year of adoption.

State Code History: By statute, the uniform MSBC has been the single, legal statewide building code since January 1, 1975. The MSBC applies to all new construction and certain work in existing buildings. The energy provisions in the MSBC were developed by the Board's Energy Advisory Committee, working with staff supported by a federal grant from USDOE, and with additional support from the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources which administers utility rebate programs and establishes state energy policy.

The Sixth Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code (780 CMR) was in use until late 2008 to early 2009. Chapter 61 for residential buildings was based off of the 2000 IECC. Chapter 13 for non-residential buildings was based off of the 2000 IECC, ASHRAE 90.1-1999, and additional state-developed amendments.

On April 1, 2007, the Seventh Edition of the Code for Single and Two Family Dwellings became effective. A six month overlap period until October 1, 2007 allows a code user to use either the sixth or seventh edition of the code (without mixing provisions). A permit applicant would have to file an application on or before October 1st in order to utilize provisions of the sixth edition.

On July 2, 2008, the state of Massachusetts updated its Seventh Edition, Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (780 CMR) and its Seventh Edition Basic Building Code (for all other buildings) with state-specific front-end amendments. The code update includes extensive changes to both Chapter 61 (residential energy) and Chapter 13 (commercial energy).

To meet Chapter 61, a one- or two-family dwelling will have to comply with either the 2007 Supplement to the 2006 edition of the IECC or score 100 or less on an accredited Home Energy Ratings System (HERS). To meet Chapter 13, a commercial building must meet either ASHRAE 90.1-2007 or the 2007 Supplement to 2006 edition of the IECC. The air barrier requirements for commercial buildings are more stringent than those in the IECC. There are also provisions mandating that any changes relative to the IECC must improve energy efficiency as well as updating the state code every three years per the standard ICC code update cycle.

The 7th Edition became effective on October 6, 2008. The residential code update was fully effective immediately. For commercial buildings, there was a 6-month interim period until April 6, 2009 in which either the 6th or the 7th edition of the commercial code could be used.

On November 20, 2008, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick set two major goals for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The first aims to make all new malls and "big box" retail stores energy efficient and powered in part by solar energy by 2010. The second goal is for the state to offer a super-efficient building code as a local option for municipalities based on established national voluntary above-code efficiency standards such as the Energy Star for Homes program and the New Buildings Institute's "Core Performance" program for commercial properties.

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.

In accordance with the statutory requirements of the Green Communities Act of 2008, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) has amended the 7^th Edition State Building Code (780 CMR). As of January 1, builders must use the 2009 IECC with MA amendments. BBRS is allowing a 6-month concurrency period, through June 30, 2010, during which either the previous code (the 2006 IECC with the 2007 IECC Supplement and MA amendments) or the new code may be used. Commencing July 1, 2010, the baseline energy conservation requirements of the State Building Code will default to IECC 2009 and MA amendments. The MA changes to the IECC can be found by referring to Chapters 13, 34, 61 and 93 amendments posted on the BBRS 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: 428.7 Trillion BTU
Commercial Sector: 367.6 Trillion BTU
Total Energy Consumption: 796.3 Trillion BTU

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Construction Activity

Residential:

Population (2000 US Census)¹: 6,349,097
Total Housing Units²: 2,649,029
2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)³:
- total units: 21,044
- 1 unit: 13,751
- 2 units: 952
- 3 and 4 units: 660
- 5+ units: 5,681
- structures of 5+ units: 323

References:

Green Building Initiatives

107 Leadersgip in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Buildings
ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Market Index of 15%
181 ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants

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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 Massachusett's allocated amount and updated information.

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Tom Riley
Code Development Manager
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State Board of Building Regulations and Standards
One Ashburton Place, RM 1301
Boston, MA 02108

Tel: (617) 727-3200 Ext. 25250
Fax: (617) 227-1754

Email: tom.riley@state.ma.us

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Alissa Whiteman
MA Dept. of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114

Tel: (617) 626-7384
Fax: (617) 727-0030

Email: alissa.whiteman@state.ma.us

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Vivek Mohta
Director, Energy Reliability and Markets
MA Dept. of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge St., Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02114

Tel: (617) 626-7300
Fax: (617) 727-0030

Email: Vivek.Mohta@state.ma.us

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