H 7530Energy Efficiency

Health and Safety - State Building Code

Cities and towns, not the state, will decide if energy codes apply to homes under 2,000 square feet.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee House Environment and Natural Resources

Plain-English Summary

This bill changes the rules regarding energy efficiency standards for smaller residential homes in Rhode Island. Specifically, it states that the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will no longer automatically apply statewide to one-family or two-family homes that are smaller than 2,000 square feet. Instead, the decision to adopt or enforce these energy standards for these specific smaller homes will be left to each individual city or town. Municipalities can choose to adopt, amend, or decline these standards based on their local housing needs and priorities.

For younger readers

When people build houses, they usually have to follow a list of rules about saving energy, like how to keep heat inside during winter. This bill changes the rules for smaller houses (ones that aren't very big). Now, the state won't force every small house to follow the same energy rules. Instead, the town or city where the house is built gets to choose if those rules are needed. This lets each town decide what is best for the small houses in their neighborhood, but the rules for big houses stay the same.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Residential home buildersHome buyersMunicipal building officialsCity and Town CouncilsRenters

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

May lower the upfront construction costs for smaller starter homes, potentially making homeownership more accessible to lower-income families and first-time buyers.
Empowers local municipalities to tailor housing regulations to the specific economic realities and needs of their communities rather than facing a one-size-fits-all state mandate.
Could encourage the construction of smaller, more modest dwellings (under 2,000 sq ft) rather than McMansions, aligning with goals to increase housing density and stock.
Undermines statewide efforts to combat climate change by allowing the construction of less energy-efficient homes, resulting in higher long-term carbon emissions.
Likely leads to higher utility bills for future tenants and low-income homeowners who buy these homes, as they will lack modern insulation and energy-saving features.
Creates inequity between towns, where residents in some municipalities are guaranteed energy-efficient, healthy housing while those in others are left with substandard construction.

For Conservatives

Reduces government regulatory burdens on the construction industry, allowing builders to operate more freely without expensive state mandates.
Promotes the principle of federalism and local control by transferring decision-making power from the state capital to local city and town councils.
Lowers the cost of construction for small business home builders, potentially stimulating the housing market and economic growth.
Creates a fragmented regulatory environment (a "patchwork" of laws) which complicates operations for businesses and builders working across multiple towns.
Could lead to uncertainty in property values if buyers cannot be sure if a home was built to recognized industry standards compared to homes in neighboring towns.
May result in some municipalities enacting arbitrary or inconsistent amendments to the code that are difficult for contractors to track and follow.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 21 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 23-27.3 of the General Laws entitled "State Building Code" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 23-27.3-100.1.9. Residential energy code applicability for small homes.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Rhode Island residential building code, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the International Energy Conservation Code (“IECC”), or any successor energy conservation code, shall not be automatically adopted or required on a statewide basis for one family or two (2) family residential dwellings with a total conditioned floor area of less than two thousand (2,000) square feet.

(b) For the residential dwellings described in subsection (a) of this section, compliance with the IECC or any successor energy conservation code shall be determined at the municipal level.

(c) Any city or town may, by ordinance or regulation, elect to adopt, amend, or decline to adopt the IECC or equivalent residential energy efficiency standards for one family or two (2) family residential dwellings with a total conditioned floor area of less than two thousand square feet (2,000 sq. ft.) based on local priorities, housing affordability considerations, and community needs.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

(1) Affect the statewide applicability of residential energy conservation codes to one family or two (2) family residential dwellings with a conditioned floor area of two thousand square feet (2,000 sq. ft.) or greater;

(2) Limit the applicability of energy conservation codes to non-residential buildings; or

(3) Prohibit the state or any municipality from offering voluntary energy efficiency programs, incentives, or guidance applicable to residential dwellings of any size.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.