Mass Timber Adoption & Eduction Spans Country
By the end of 2025, mass timber adoption had expanded to 44 states, or states with adopting jurisdictions, that have incorporated either the 2021 or 2024 International Building Code (IBC) mass timber provisions. Rhode Island and Vermont adopted the 2021 IBC, while the city of Phoenix and New York State have adopted the 2024 IBC.
AWC played a central role in this progress, providing direct support to states and jurisdictions considering the mass timber provisions for the first time, as well as providing education where they have already been adopted and are enforced. From New York City to Florida to Hawaii, AWC’s codes team tailored education presentations and resources to meet the specific needs of each jurisdiction to increase understanding of mass timber and encourage its use according to the provisions in the IBC.
In New York City, AWC participated in key code committee meetings where a limited adoption of the new mass timber provisions of the IBC were considered. In response, AWC’s Phil Line and Jason Smart presented to the committee to clarify technical questions and establish AWC as a technical resource.
In Florida, AWC continued our multi-year effort to support mass timber adoption, leading a significant education and outreach campaign prior to the State’s key Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) meetings in October. The TACs reviewed 29 AWC change proposals for the 2026 Florida Building Code, with 22 receiving committee support. Despite this strong technical backing, the Florida Building Commission did not approve the mass timber provisions at its December meeting, influenced heavily by competing material interests and misleading testimony.
AWC is already exploring alternative regulatory and/or legislative routes. In the meantime, AWC’s Florida Mass Timber Alternative Materials and Methods Guide serves as a key resource to help bridge the gap between the current adopted provisions in Florida and what is allowable in the 2024 IBC.
In Hawaii, AWC’s Fire Service Relations Manager Greg Womack worked throughout the year to build relationships with the state’s first State Fire Marshal, Dori Booth, and other fire and building officials as the state considers how to incentivize and promote mass timber construction. In October, Womack traveled to Hawaii to lead a presentation to an audience of over 125 architects, engineers, developers, builders, fire officials, and members of the local Carpenters Union. Focusing on mass timber construction and addressing fire concerns surrounding mass timber, Womack was able to demonstrate the resiliency and safety of building according to the mass timber provisions in the I-codes. Booth attended the presentation and also spoke to the group, reinforcing the state’s growing interest in mass timber as a path toward more resilient, sustainable construction.
Across the country, AWC’s technical guidance and education efforts are helping states adopt and correctly enforce mass timber provisions, expanding safe access to mass timber construction and supporting member companies in this fast growing sector of the built environment.