Everett, MA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Section 4-4 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts, adopted by the Everett City Council as ordinance C0205-14, is the city's energy-efficiency building rule. Subsection (d)(1) states that the Stretch Energy Code is incorporated, by reference, into Chapter 4 of the Revised Ordinances. Subsection (d)(2) states that it is enforceable by the inspector of buildings, so compliance is checked in the same Inspectional Services process as other building permits in Everett.

The ordinance defines its terms. The Stretch Energy Code is a Massachusetts building code based on further amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to improve the energy efficiency of buildings built to this code. The ordinance records that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards codified it as an appendix, 780 CMR Appendix 115.AA, to the 8th edition Massachusetts Building Code, and it declares that the definition covers any future editions of, amendments to or modifications of that appendix. The baseline energy conservation requirements of the Massachusetts Building Code are the IECC with Massachusetts amendments, as approved by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards, and the IECC is updated on a three-year cycle.

Subsection (b) gives the purpose: to provide a more energy efficient alternative to the Base Energy Code applicable to the relevant sections of the building code for both new construction and existing buildings. Subsection (c) sets the reach. The Stretch Energy Code applies to residential and commercial buildings, and buildings not included in that scope must comply with 780 CMR 13, 34, 51, as applicable.

Because the ordinance adopts the state appendix by reference and extends to later editions, the technical requirements live in the state appendix, not in Everett's own text. The city's role under Section 4-4 is the adoption itself and the assignment of enforcement to the inspector of buildings.