Idaho House backs controversial building codes measure

The Idaho House has voted 52-16 in favor of Rep. Joe Palmer’s bill to forbid local communities from adopting any residential building code provisions that are more up-to-date or more stringent than those adopted by a state board.

Palmer, R-Meridian, said the bill would give builders “an equal and level playing field all across the state of Idaho.” Opponents included all 11 House Democrats and five House Republicans; at an earlier committee hearing, the bill was opposed by builders, architects and local officials from across the state, along with the state association of fire chiefs. They said cities and counties routinely amend building codes to match local conditions, from snow loading to seismic activity.

The bill is being pushed by a southwestern Idaho building contractors’ group whose members say it’s too difficult to deal with building codes that differ between Boise and surrounding cities. All North Idaho representatives voted in favor of the bill except for Rep. Margie Gannon, D-St. Maries, who was appointed to replace Rep. Paulette Jordan, D-Plummer.