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Connecticut

State Profile

Code Type: Commercial Residential
Current State Code 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 2021 IECC with Amendments
Effective Date
Adoption Date
State Amendments Yes Yes
State Code Analysis*
Enforcement Mandatory Statewide Mandatory Statewide
Can use COM/REScheck Yes Yes

*This is based on a quantitative analysis of the state code with amendments as displayed in the Residential and Commercial State Energy Code Adoption Maps.

Certifications

Commercial Residential
Current Model Code ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 2012 IECC
Submitted Yes Yes
Commercial
Previous Model Code Submitted
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 Yes
Residential
Previous Model Code Submitted
2009 IECC Yes

Model Code Savings Potential

Statewide Savings Potential (2010-2030) Residential Commercial
Cost $0.41B $0.40B
Energy (primary) 22MBtu 31MBtu

Consumer Cost Savings

Consumer Cost Savings Residential
per Home		 Commercial
per 1,000 ft2
Annual ($) $553 $193
Annual (%) 19.6%
Life-cycle (30 year) $8175 $3510
Simple Payback 3.5 years 0.0 years
Positive Cash Flow 0.5 years

Compliance

Code Type: Residential Commercial
Field Study Yes No
Training Program No No

Resources

Additional Information

Connecticut

Background

In 1979, legislation was passed requiring that the State Building and Fire Safety Codes promote and ensure the design and construction of energy-conserving buildings and the use of renewable resources.

In 1988, provisions were included in the enabling legislation requiring revision of the state building code no later than July, 1989 in order to incorporate necessary 1988 BOCA International revisions into the state building code. Future revisions were limited to occur not more than every four years thereafter.

The officially adopted 2005 State Building Code, known as the 2003 International Building Code Portion of the 2005 State Building Code: State Of Connecticut, became effective December 31, 2005 and applied to all building permits applied for on or after that date.

On June 4, 2007, the governor signed Public Act 07-242 into law that required all buildings except residential buildings with less than five units that are projected to cost five million or more to qualify for a LEED-Silver rating or an equivalent standard, such as a two-globe rating under the Green Globes USA design program.

On July 8, 2009, a state bill (HB 6284) to update the state energy code and to create green building standards was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. The bill required the state building inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee to revise the State Building Code.

The first 2009 Amendment to the 2005 State Building Code updated the energy code for residential and commercial buildings to the 2006 IECC.

A second 2009 Amendment to the 2005 State Building Code revised Chapter 541, Sec. 29-256a of the General Statutes of Connecticut to comply with Public Act 07-242 and required all buildings except residential buildings with less than five units that are projected to cost five million or more to qualify for a LEED-Silver rating or an equivalent standard, such as a two-globe rating under the Green Globes USA design program. The same is required of renovation projects that are expected to cost two million or more.

The 2009 IECC was adopted in September 2011 and became effective October 6, 2011. Connecticut will automatically go to the 2012 IECC within 18 months of its printing.

State-Owned/Funded Buildings

See High Performance Building Standards for State Agency and School Buildings (ct.gov)

Adoption Process

The state building code, including any amendments to the code adopted by the state building inspector and Codes and Standards Committee, is the building code for all towns, cities, and boroughs in the state. Any town, city, borough, or interested person may propose amendments to the state building code. Once approved, the amendments become part of the state building code and are applied statewide.

Enforcement Process

The state building inspector enforces compliance for state-owned buildings and local code officials enforce compliance for all other buildings.

Compliance Process

Compliance is determined through construction documents submitted to the local building official showing detailed building data, features, and equipment systems governed under the code. Variances and interpretations of the code are granted through the Department of Public Safety. State statutes require the signature and seal of a licensed registered professional for all buildings of any use group (other than single-family residential [R-3] or agricultural) greater than 5,000 sq. ft. in floor area or of any use group A, E, or I of any size.