Mississippi
Last updated on 2013-06-03
Current News
House Bill 1281 adopting ASHRAE 90.1-2010 was recently signed by Governor Phil Bryant. The new code will be effective July 1, 2013.
| Current Code | None Statewide |
| Amendments / Additional State Code Information | 90-1975 is mandatory for state-owned buildings, public buildings, and high-rise buildings only. |
| State Specific Research | Impacts of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for Commercial Buildings in the State of Mississippi (BECP Report, Sept. 2009) |
| Effective Date | 07/01/1980 |
| DOE Determination | ASHRAE 90.1-2007: No
ASHRAE 90.1-2010: No Mississippi DOE Determination Letter, May 31, 2013 |
| Current Code | None Statewide |
| Amendments / Additional State Code Information | State energy code, based on ASHRAE 90-1975, is adopted by local jurisdictions. |
| State Specific Research | Impacts of the 2009 IECC for Residential Buildings in the State of Mississippi (BECP Report, Sept. 2009) |
| Effective Date | 07/01/1980 |
| DOE Determination | 2009 IECC: No
2012 IECC: No Mississippi DOE Determination Letter, May 31, 2013 |
| Code Change Process | Legislative |
| Code Change Cycle | None |
State Owned / Funded Buildings
90-1975 is mandatory for state-owned buildings, public buildings, and high-rise buildings.
Adoption Process
Mississippi has no set schedule to update their energy code. State Level: Anyone may submit legislation. It must pass through committee and be voted upon by both chambers of the legislature. Before becoming a law, the governor must sign the legislation. The existing law does not mandate enforcement by localities, and any revised code will probably require adoption by local jurisdictions. To adopt the code at the local level, the local government must adopt it through a vote of the city council or county commission. Depending on the form of government, the mayor may be required to sign the law.
Enforcement Process
For state-owned and -funded buildings, the design professional works with the building commission to establish compliance. For other buildings, local units of government enforce the code through the normal inspection process. If local governments adopt the energy provisions of the Standard Building Code (SBC) (Appendix E of the SBC), enforcement is then accomplished through the permit/inspection process for new construction and additions. Depending on the size of the local government unit, the same individual may be responsible for performing plan reviews and inspections. As of mid-1998, 20 of the state's 82 counties adopted the SBC.
Compliance Process
Compliance for state-owned buildings is verified by the Bureau of Building. Other buildings are subject to enforcement by local authorities. For state-owned or -funded buildings, the Bureau of Building reviews plans and specifications to ensure compliance. For other buildings in jurisdictions that have adopted the state code, plan reviews and inspections are typically used to show compliance through the normal permit process. After successfully completing this process, the building department issues a certificate of occupancy.
Background
Beginning July 1, 1980, the design, direction, construction, and alteration of any building was required to satisfy Chapter 39 of 57-39-21 Energy Efficiency Standards for Buildings (a state energy code based on the 1997 MCEC). The state does not allocate money for municipalities to hire inspectors. The utilities have some incentives for insulation and increased efficiency equipment. Attempts to update the code to the 1992 and 1993 MEC failed to pass the legislature in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
In 2006, Bill 1406 created the Mississippi Building Code Council. The Council moved to adopt the 2003 IRC and 2003 IBC for five coastal communities. The Council has not had a meeting since 2008.
