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The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) adopted a new rule with new accessibility guidelines for federal buildings. The rule establishes that pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
Climate change is making design and construction more challenging and increasing the potential for lawsuits against building teams, according to insurance experts. Building to code is not enough to reduce liability because codes have not kept up with the rapid climate changes that are making extreme weather more common.
A Florida law enacted after the Surfside condo tower collapse is causing turmoil in the condominium market. The law, which requires buildings to meet certain structural safety standards, is forcing condo associations to assess hefty fees to make repairs on older properties. In some cases, the cost per unit runs into six figures.
A law ending single-family-home-only zoning in California was ruled unconstitutional by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The decision could lead to the law being invalidated in the state’s largest cities.
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
The borough of Bloomingdale, N.J., recently adopted regulations for solar-energy and wind energy systems.
After a Suffolk County grand jury recommended stiffer fines for illegal demolitions, Smithtown, NY officials are weighing tougher penalties for developers who violate the town building code.
The relatively little damage from a 7.6 earthquake was due in large part to strict building codes in Costa Rica, a country that has long enjoyed more stability, better governance, and stronger economic development than many of its Central American neighbors.
“One of the most effective ways to greatly increase a building’s strength and safety during hurricanes, tornadoes and straight-line windstorms is to be sure the building is tied together properly,” says Julie Rochman, president and CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
Remarking on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which devastated south Florida; contractors are noting the storm’s impact on their industry—including the state’s adoption of tougher building codes.
Texas has the most diverse weather risk in the country, with exposure to nine different types of natural disasters.
About 7 billion more sf of commercial space is expected in the pipeline.
The Minnesota state Court of Appeals rejected St. Paul's attempt to adopt a policy on egress windows that was stricter than state law.
