Chandler, AZ Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Chapter 29, Article VIII adopts the International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 edition, as the City's energy-efficiency standard for both commercial ("C") and residential ("R") construction, administered by the Development Services Department under Section 29-8.4/29-8.12. The most consequential local change is at Section 29-8.17 (and its commercial counterpart 29-6.15), which amends Table R406.5 (Maximum Energy Rating Index) by "replacing energy rating index of '51' with '57' in the climate zone 2". Chandler sits in Climate Zone 2, so this locally loosens the baseline index homes must meet compared to the unamended model code.

Builders get a compliance path option at Section 29-8.13, which lets RESNET-certified raters perform third-party testing and inspection in lieu of certain city inspections, provided the rater is accredited and testing covers building envelope air-leakage (R402.5.1), thermal/air barrier checklist compliance, and duct tightness (R403.3.6). Section 29-8.15 adds a duct-leakage test exception when ducts and air handlers sit entirely within the building's thermal envelope, avoiding a costly test requirement for compact HVAC layouts. As with the other adopted codes, fees are set by Council resolution rather than printed in the code, per Section 29-8.5/29-8.14, and additional efficiency add-on requirements for additions and substantial improvements (R502.2.5, R503.1.5) were deleted outright rather than adopted. Compliance documentation for R405.3 is delivered directly to the building owner rather than required before a certificate of occupancy under Section 29-8.16.