Massachusetts

State Building Official
The Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) 
Chairman Brian Gale 
Robert Anderson
Chief of Inspections 
Building Division and BBRS Administrator

13th Floor, Room 1301
Boston, MA 02108

Current Codes and Edition Adopted:

2015 International Building Code (IBC) 

2015 International Residential Code (IRC) 

2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Applicability (statewide, local, limited): STATEWIDE

The Massachusetts Building Code is approved and administered by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), consisting of eleven members and is staffed by the Department of Public Safety. The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR) is a fourteen member board responsible for promulgating a comprehensive fire safety code (527 CMR) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The BBRS is responsible for reviewing and recommending which building codes are adopted in Massachusetts. Additionally, the members of the BBRS comprise the Building Code Appeals Board for purposes of deciding appeals of interpretations of the Building Code made by building officials and other similar officials. Amendments may be made by jurisdictions with State approval.

Please review the information found here for code adoption:
https://www.mass.gov/handbook/ninth-edition-of-the-ma-state-building-code-780

Amendments Disadvantaging Wood Construction:

No apparent amendments.

Next Update Cycle:

The BBRS has been reviewing provisions of the 2021 I-Codes, which have been significantly delayed due to COVID-19. Significant outreach and education efforts regarding the fire performance of Tall Mass Timber and CLT have been undertaken with the office of the State Fire Marshal. No significant opposition to Tall Mass Timber is expected in Massachusetts.

Notes:

Page last updated: January 2022