Code Status: Rhode Island

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

Current State Codes
Code Adoption & Change Process
Energy Consumption Estimates
Construction Activity
Web Links
State Energy Code Contacts

Current State Codes

Residential Code: 2006 IECC, mandatory statewide; can use REScheck to show compliance.
Commercial Code: 2006 IECC amended to include ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004, mandatory statewide; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
Code Change Cycle: Three-year code review/change cycle concurrent with publication of new editions of model codes. Most recent update adopted: August 1, 2007.

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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The State Building Codes Standards Committee (SBCSC) is responsible for adopting and amending the state building code, including the energy code (See Supporting Documents for legislation and administrative procedures).

State Code History: The Rhode Island Building Code Commission began forming in 1974. By 1977 the state of Rhode Island had adopted a statewide building code. Later, energy provisions were made part of the state building code modeled after the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, National Energy Conservation Code. On January 1, 2009, the 2006 IECC became effective as the state energy conservation code.

On May 14, 2009, Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcier signed HB 5986 into law, directing the Rhode Island State Building Commission to update the state building code to include the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and to develop a plan to achieve compliance in 90 percent of new and renovated building space by February 2017.

Beginning August 2009, the Commission's Energy Subcommittee will review the codes, with public hearings and a comment period to follow. The new codes would then go before the State Legislature's Legislative Oversight Committee for final approval (tentatively hoped for during January or February 2010).

After a period for training of code officials and other stakeholders, a tentative goal of July 2010 would be the effective date of the new state building code. Development of a plan to achieve 90 percent compliance would likely begin some time in this code cycle's 2nd year, or some time in 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: 70.2 Trillion BTU
Commercial Sector: 55.1 Trillion BTU
Total Energy Consumption: 125.3 Trillion BTU

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Construction Activity

Residential:

Population (2000 US Census)¹: 1,048,319
Total Housing Units²: 443,761
2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)³:
- total units: 2,457
- 1 unit: 1,918
- 2 units: 66
- 3 and 4 units: 35
- 5+ units: 438
- structures of 5+ units: 27

References:

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Green Building Initiatives

6 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified Buildings
ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Market Index less of 21%
5 ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants

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 Rhode Island's allocated amount and updated information.