Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Climate Resiliency Subcommittee Meeting - 5.22.26

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards 11^th Edition Climate Resiliency Subcommittee will be convening a regular meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards Climate Resiliency Committee convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

Microsoft Teams Meeting May 22^nd, 2026 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:03 AM Chair Mia Mansfield called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call whereby each member was called on to record their vote. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board Members Present

• Mia Mansfield, EEA
• Nick Antanavica, Building Official
• Dawn Guariello, Architect
• Rebecca Haney, EEA
• Annie Howard, Building Official
• Jaclyn Kinson, Engineer
• Katie Moniz, Engineer
• Ross Seavey, DOL

Board Members Absent

• Elsa Mullin, Developer

DOL Staff Present

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel

Acknowledged Public Attendees

• Sarah Alexander, EEA
• Eric Carlson, DCR

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes for April 10^th, 2026
   1. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve meeting minutes for April 10^th, 2026, seconded by Annie Howard. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Dawn Guarriello abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
2. Reviewed and Voted - IEBC Chapter Reviews 
   1. IEBC Chapter 1
      1. Members briefly reviewed Chapter 1 and noted that broader discussions concerning Chapter 1 administrative provisions were occurring elsewhere within the code development process. Members agreed that additional coordination was necessary before proceeding with detailed review of the chapter.  It was also noted that another technical subcommittee will be reviewing the IEBC.  Discussion of Chapter 1 was deferred to a future meeting pending further information and guidance from the BBRS.
   2. IEBC Chapter 2
      1. Members reviewed flood-related definitions and discussed revisions necessary to maintain consistency with previously approved Climate Resiliency code proposals. Discussion focused on the definition of "coastal dune." Members reviewed existing Massachusetts amendment language and discussed removing the phrase "determined to be significant to the interests of flood control and/or storm damage prevention." 
      2. Members generally agreed that the definition should instead reference coastal dunes that have been delineated under the Wetlands Protection Act. Members also reviewed flood hazard area terminology and related floodplain definitions to ensure consistency throughout the code.
3. IEBC Chapter 3 (301.3)
   1. Members reviewed provisions governing repairs and alterations in flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on adding references to "substantial repair of a foundation" alongside existing references to substantial improvement to maintain consistency with amendments previously discussed by the subcommittee. Members noted that substantial repair of a foundation had become an important trigger within Massachusetts floodplain management requirements and should be reflected consistently throughout the code.
   2. IEBC Chapter 4 (401.3, 405.2.6)
      1. Members reviewed provisions governing repairs within flood hazard areas and discussed whether references to substantial repair of a foundation should be added alongside substantial damage and substantial improvement provisions. 
      2. Members discussed the distinction between minor repairs addressed in Chapter 4 and larger alteration projects that may be regulated elsewhere within the IEBC. Questions were raised regarding whether foundation replacement projects would appropriately fall under repair provisions or should instead be regulated through other code pathways. 
      3. Members also discussed adding references to coastal dunes where flood hazard areas are referenced. Additional review was requested before finalizing changes to Section 405.2.6. 
   3. IEBC Chapter 5 (502.2, 503.2, 507.3)
      1. Members reviewed provisions governing alterations, additions, and nonconforming structures located within flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on adding references to coastal dunes and Appendix G where applicable and incorporating substantial repair of a foundation as an additional trigger alongside substantial improvement provisions. 
      2. Members discussed ensuring that users of the IEBC are directed to applicable coastal dune requirements and that Massachusetts-specific flood resiliency provisions are applied consistently throughout the code.
   4. IEBC Chapter 7 (701.3)
      1. Members reviewed provisions related to historic structures and discussed consistency with previously proposed flood resiliency amendments. Discussion focused on incorporating references to coastal dunes and substantial repair of a foundation where flood hazard area provisions currently apply. 
      2. Members noted that the proposed changes were intended to align historic structure provisions with similar requirements found elsewhere in the code.
   5. IEBC Chapter 11 (1103.3)
      1. Members reviewed provisions governing additions to existing buildings in flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on whether additional language should be included directing users to Appendix G when additions are proposed within coastal dunes. Members discussed whether existing code pathways already direct users to Appendix G through Section 1612 or whether a specific reference was needed within the IEBC. 
      2. Questions were raised regarding the balance between improving code usability and avoiding unnecessary repetition of requirements already contained elsewhere in the code. Members agreed additional review was necessary before determining whether a Massachusetts amendment was warranted.
   6. IEBC Chapter 12 (1201.4)
      1. Members reviewed provisions applicable to historic buildings within flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on maintaining consistency by incorporating references to coastal dunes and substantial repair of a foundation where appropriate. 
      2. Members noted that the proposed changes were intended to ensure that flood resiliency requirements apply consistently to historic structures while maintaining alignment with previously approved Massachusetts amendments. 
   7. IEBC Chapter 14 (1402.6)
      1. Members reviewed provisions governing relocated buildings. Discussion focused on applicability within flood hazard areas and coastal dunes and whether additional references were needed to ensure consistency with Massachusetts-specific flood resiliency requirements. 
      2. Members agreed that coastal dune references should be incorporated where flood hazard areas are referenced to maintain consistency throughout the code. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve draft changes to 2024 IEBC with the exception of sections 405.2 and 1103.3 subject to further review, seconded by Annie Howard. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Dawn Guarriello abstained. Motion passed with majority.
4. Review/Discuss/Vote IRC Chapter Reviews
   1. Chapter 2 
      1. Members reviewed flood-related definitions and terminology. Discussion focused on revising references to design flood elevation to align with terminology previously discussed by the subcommittee. Members also reviewed the definition of flood hazard area and discussed ensuring consistency with floodplain management definitions developed through related code proposals.
      2. Additional discussion focused on maintaining consistent terminology throughout the code and carrying forward Massachusetts amendments where appropriate.
   2. Chapter 44 & Appendices (BA101.2; BI101.2; BJ101.3; BO102.7)
      1. Members reviewed referenced standards and appendices containing flood-related provisions. Discussion focused on updating FEMA Technical Bulletin 2 from the 2008 edition to the 2025 edition. Members also reviewed several appendix provisions and discussed adding references to coastal dunes where flood hazard areas are currently referenced. 
      2. Members further discussed language from prior editions concerning related work completed within a twelve-month period and its role in determining substantial improvement. Questions were raised regarding why the language was removed from the 2024 code and whether it had been relocated elsewhere. 
      3. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve draft changes to 2024 IRC with the exception of Appendix BO pending additional review, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Dawn Guarriello abstained. Motion passed with majority. 
5. Review/Discuss/Vote IBC Chapter Reviews
   1. Chapter 2
      1. Members reviewed flood-related definitions, including coastal dune terminology, flood hazard area definitions, and design flood elevation language. Discussion focused on maintaining consistency with previously discussed Climate Resiliency code proposals and Massachusetts-specific amendments. 
      2. Members reviewed modifications to the coastal dune definition and discussed aligning terminology with the Wetlands Protection Act
   2. IBC Chapter 8 (802.4)
      1. Members reviewed flood-damage-resistant material provisions applicable within flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on confirming that existing language remained consistent with previously adopted floodplain management requirements and that no additional Massachusetts amendments were necessary. 
   3. IBC Chapter 12 (1202.4.4)
      1. Members reviewed flood hazard area provisions related to building enclosure requirements. Discussion focused on confirming consistency with previously discussed flood resiliency amendments and ensuring that no additional modifications were required. Members determined that the existing language adequately addressed the committee's concerns.
   4. IBC Chapter 14 (1402.9, 1402.10)
      1. Members reviewed provisions governing flood-damage-resistant materials and assemblies. Discussion focused on ensuring consistency with flood hazard area requirements and confirming that previously adopted Massachusetts amendments remained appropriate. 
   5. IBC Chapter 18 (1804.5, 1805.1.2.1)
      1. Members reviewed foundation design and construction requirements applicable within flood hazard areas. Discussion focused on references to FEMA Technical Bulletin 11 and prior Massachusetts amendments related to foundation construction. Members compared treatment of similar provisions within the residential code and discussed prior decisions regarding exceptions applicable within A-zones and V-zones.
      2.  Members ultimately concluded that the existing language remained appropriate and that no additional modifications were necessary. 
6. Appendix J101.2
   1. Members reviewed appendix provisions referencing flood hazard areas and related standards. Discussion focused on updated standards references and ensuring consistency with previously approved flood resiliency amendments. Members determined that the proposed updates accurately reflected current standards and code requirements. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve draft changes to 2024 IBC, seconded by Annie Howard. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, Dawn Guarriello abstained. Motion passed with majority.
7. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting
   1. Members discussed moving the June 26^th, 2026, meeting to June 22^nd, 2026. 
8. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for June 12^th, 2026, at 10:00 AM. 
   1. Rebecca Haney motioned to adjourn, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. The meeting adjourned at 11:43 AM. 

Items Relied Upon During Open Meeting

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Code Change Proposals
• 2024 IEBC
• 2024 IRC
• 2024 IBC

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 

1. ReviewMinutes of the following Climate Resiliency meetings: 
   1. April 10, 2026 
2. Review/Discuss/ Vote IEBC Chapter Reviews 
   1. IEBC Chapter 1
   2. IEBC Chapter 2
   3. IEBC Chapter 3 (301.3)
   4. IEBC Chapter 4 (401.3, 405.2.6)
   5. IEBC Chapter 5 (502.2, 503.2, 507.3)
   6. IEBC Chapter 7 (701.3)
   7. IEBC Chapter 11 (1103.3)
   8. IEBC Chapter 12 (1201.4)
   9. IEBC Chapter 14 (1402.6) 
3. Review/Discuss/Vote IRC Chapter Reviews
   1. Chapter 2 
   2. Chapter 44 referenced standards - Appendices (BA101.2; BI101.2; BJ101.3; BO102.7)
4. Review/Discuss/Vote IBC Chapter Reviews
   1. Chapter 2 
   2. IBC Chapter 8 (802.4)
   3. IBC Chapter 12 (1202.4.4)
   4. IBC Chapter 14 (1402.9, 1402.10)
   5. IBC Chapter 18 (1804.5, 1805.1.2.1)
   6. Appendix J101.2
5. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is June 12, 2026