Building Codes

Whither Vacant Buildings?

Officials in Fort Worth, Texas, are searching for ways to deal with buildings left vacant by businesses struggling during the recession. Other cities and the state of Texas are also addressing the issue.

April 7, 2009 - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Building Codes Gone Green

From Boston to Austin to L.A., more and more cities across the U.S. are making efforts to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact by instituting green building codes.

February 5, 2009 - Governing

For Amish, Building Code and Religion Don't Jibe

Eleven Amish families have sued their own town for religious discrimination in its building code.

January 7, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Decoding the Mediterranean Town

The complex, organic form of Mediterranean towns has been traced to a dynamic system of reproducing building codes.

December 26, 2008 - Emergent Urbanism

Post-9/11 Safety Provisions Challenged

Safety codes recommended by NIST after analyzing the collapse of the World Trade Center are being challenged by another federal agency on the grounds they will be too costly.

September 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Zoning Squashes Wedding Plans

Heather Stewart's vision of a country wedding in a resorted country barn are thwarted by code enforcement officers at the last minute. 'We have zoning rules and building codes that always get in the way of dreams,' Reinsborough said.

June 23, 2008 - Portland Press Herald

New Maps Show Broad Range of Earthquake Risk in U.S.

New earthquake hazard maps from the U.S. Geological Survey show increased earthquake risk areas beyond typical hotspots like California. Geologists say planners and local officials should react to the maps by updating building codes.

April 26, 2008 - Discovery

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