More permits for ADUs than single-family homes issued in San Diego

Popularity of granny flats growing in California

Codes and Standards

New York City code update changes definition of a major building

Changes affecting how construction projects in New York City are permitted will have significant impacts for contractors. On Dec. 11, the definition of a major building in the city’s code will change from 10 stories to seven, or 75 feet. The change will affect thousands more projects.

Government Buildings

GSA adopts new accessibility guidelines for federal properties

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.

Office Buildings

Office vacancy peak of 22% to 28% forecasted for 2026

The work from home trend will continue to put pressure on the office real estate market, with peak vacancy of between 22% and 28% in 2026, according to a forecast by Moody’s.

Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2022

Dept. of Energy awards $32 million for next-generation building retrofits

The U.S. Dept. of Energy has awarded a total of $32 million for more than 30 next-generation building retrofit projects that will dramatically improve affordable housing technologies, according to a DOE news release.

Legislation | Mar 18, 2022

New framework to help site community solar projects released

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a new report to aid policymakers in siting community solar projects.

Codes and Standards | Mar 17, 2022

Dept. of Energy seeks input on building-integrated photovoltaic systems

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Building Technologies Office (BTO) recently issued a request for information to gather input on technical and commercial challenges and opportunities for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.

Legislation | Mar 16, 2022

Weak federal commercial real estate rules will hamper seizing Russian assets

Lax disclosure regulations that have made the U.S. a global hot spot for money laundering via real estate holdings will make it difficult for officials to seize properties from Russian oligarchs.

Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2022

First company awarded Fitwel Certification in Senior Housing for Occupant Health & Wellness

The Springs at Greer Gardens in Eugene, Ore., is the first property to earn a Fitwel global health certification under the newly created senior housing scorecard.

Codes and Standards | Mar 10, 2022

HOK offers guidance for reducing operational and embodied carbon in labs

Global design firm HOK has released research providing lab owners and developers guidance for reducing operational and embodied carbon to meet net zero goals.

Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2022

Late payments in the construction industry rose in 2021

Last year was a tough one for contractors when it comes to getting paid on time.

Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2022

Massachusetts proposed energy code changes don’t ban gas

Proposed changes to the Massachusetts energy code would provide incentives for builders to fully electrify buildings, but not impose a ban on natural gas hookups.

Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2022

Construction industry faces a 650,000 worker shortfall in 2022

The U.S. construction industry must hire an additional 650,000 workers in 2022 to meet the expected demand for labor, according to a model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors.