Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Climate Resiliency Subcommittee Meeting - 5.8.26

Microsoft Teams meeting link and dial-in number

Microsoft Teams Meeting Link 

Meeting ID: 286 103 446 446 38 

Passcode: hG9pJ26Z

Need help? | System reference 

Dial in to the meeting 

Meeting phone number:+1 857-327-9245,,942965340# United States, Boston

Find a local number 

Phone conference ID: 942 965 340# 

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 8^th, 2026 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:02 AM Chair Mia Mansfield called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board Members Present

• Mia Mansfield, EEA
• Nick Antanavica, Building Official
• Rebecca Haney, EEA
• Annie Howard, Building Official
• Katie Moniz, Engineer
• Elsa Mullin, Developer
• Ross Seavey, DOL

Board Members Absent

• Dawn Guariello, Architect
• Jaclyn Kinson, Engineer

DOL Staff Present

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel
• Andrew Chase, Associate Executive Director

Acknowledged Public Attendees

• Sarah Alexander, EEA
• Eric Carlson, DCR

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes for March 13^th & April 10^th, 2026
   1. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve meeting minutes for March 13^th, 2026, seconded by Annie Howard. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
   2. Executive Director Tammy Gropman noted that the April 10^th, 2026 meeting minutes were not ready in time to be added to the packet and will be added for the next meeting. 
2. Reviewed and Voted Code Proposal
   1. Dwelling Unit Code Change Proposal submitted by Sarah Alexander, EEA
      1. Members discussed the building code currently allowing for permits which create dwelling units below the base flood elevation in existing buildings. Mia Mansfield and Rebecca Haney provided overview of proposal as a life-safety and resiliency measure intended to prevent the conversion of vulnerable below-grade or flood-prone spaces into housing units.
      2. Members discussed revisions to the draft language clarifying that the proposal applies specifically to “new dwelling units.” EEA affiliated representatives opined that the intent had always been to regulate the creation of new dwelling units below base flood elevation, and that the omission of the word “new” from the original draft language had been unintentional. The revised draft therefore inserted the word “new” before “dwelling units” to clarify the proposal’s scope.
      3. The Committee also discussed concerns related to partially finished basements and existing spaces that may already resemble dwelling units but are not legally recognized as such. Ross Seavey noted that simply adding the word “new” might not fully address situations involving partially finished lower-level spaces, such as “mother-in-law suites,” illegal apartments, or basements already containing bedrooms, bathrooms, wet bars, or similar residential features. 
      4. Members discussed issues related to the “substantial improvement” threshold and enforcement concerns. Nick Antanavica explained that local officials are already experiencing disputes regarding projects approaching the 50% substantial-improvement threshold and expressed concern that unclear language could encourage illegal construction, create inconsistent interpretation across communities, and increase enforcement burdens on inspectors reviewing work in flood hazard areas. The chair recognized Eric Carlson who indicated that the definition of “substantial improvement” should remain consistent with National Flood Insurance Program standards in order to preserve compliance with federal floodplain management requirements.
      5. The committee reached consensus on revised language intended to clarify the proposal. Members agreed to include additional language referencing spaces previously used for eating, cooking, sleeping, bathing, and related living uses in order to distinguish already-finished spaces from unfinished flood-prone areas. It was noted that the existing code has some definitions defining similar matters, but not in this way, which the members felt was necessary to avoid ambiguities.  There was some concern that there needs to be attention to avoid people skirting the term dwelling unit to construct illegal apartments.  Members noted the approach was focused on targeting the conversion of unfinished spaces into new dwelling units while recognizing certain existing finished conditions.
      6. Annie Howard motioned to approve amended language of the proposal, seconded by Nick Antanavica. A roll call vote was held, Ross Seavey opposed, none abstained, all other members voted yes. Motion passed with majority. 
3. Reviewed and Voted IEBC Chapter Reviews 
   1. IEBC Chapter 1
      1. Eric Carlson provided an overview of the chapter and explained that many of the flood-related amendments under discussion had already been incorporated into 780 CMR 10th Edition. Members discussed the need to carry forward existing Massachusetts amendments, maintain consistency in flood-related terminology throughout the code, and incorporate updates associated with related EEA flood proposal language.
      2. Members reviewed Section 104.2.4.1 concerning flood hazard areas and coastal dunes. The Committee discussed maintaining references to “flood hazard areas and coastal dunes” throughout the chapter in order to ensure consistency with Massachusetts floodplain and coastal regulations. Eric Carlson explained that certain strike-through language previously adopted in the 10th Edition removed FEMA variance guidance that duplicated language already contained elsewhere in the code and therefore did not need to be repeated.
      3. The Committee also discussed Section 104.3.1 and reviewed a prior Massachusetts amendment referencing IRC Section R306. Rebecca noted that the amendment was no longer necessary because the underlying I-code language already directs users to the appropriate applicable code sections. Members agreed that the state-specific deletion did not need to be carried forward into the next edition of the code.
      4. Members reviewed proposed language related to flood documentation requirements, including references to NFIP elevation certificates and dry floodproofing certificates. Members discussed updates to the language to ensure that all references consistently included both “flood hazard areas and coastal dunes.” 
      5. Members discussed the potential inclusion of a “V-zone certificate” requirement for coastal high-hazard areas, particularly for communities participating in the Community Rating System (CRS). Annie raised the issue and described current use of sample V-zone certification forms within CRS communities. The Committee discussed the lack of an official FEMA-issued V-zone certificate form, the existence of sample forms within the CRS manual, and the possibility of creating a formal code definition or reference for such documentation. Members generally agreed that incorporating a V-zone certificate concept into the code would be beneficial, but further work would be needed to determine the appropriate terminology, reference source, and formal definition before final language could be finalized.
   2. IEBC Chapter 2
      1. Eric Carlson provided an overview of Chapter 2 and explained that there had been relatively few flood-related changes to the definitions chapter in prior code cycles. He noted that the current review was focused primarily on adding flood-related terms that are used elsewhere in the code but are not currently defined within the IEBC.
      2. Members discussed the addition of a new definition for “coastal dune.” Rebecca Haney explained that although the term is referenced throughout floodplain and coastal provisions of the code, it does not currently appear in Chapter 2. The proposed definition was discussed as being largely consistent with existing Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act terminology and language already used within the International Building Code. Members reviewed language describing coastal dunes as natural hills, mounds, or ridges of sediment, as well as sediment deposited through artificial means for storm damage prevention or flood control purposes. The proposed definition also references the applicability of Appendix G construction requirements to coastal dunes.
      3. The Committee also discussed the addition of a definition for “substantial repair of a foundation.” Rebecca Haney explained that the term is currently used within flood-related code provisions but is not formally defined within the IEBC definitions chapter. Members reviewed proposed language establishing thresholds for when repairs or replacement work on a foundation would constitute a substantial repair. The discussion included criteria related to the replacement of portions of a foundation perimeter measured in linear feet, as well as replacement of 50 percent or more of piles, piers, or columns supporting a structure. 
      4. Rebecca Haney motioned to approve Chapters 1 and 2 of the IEBC with amended language, seconded by Katie Moniz. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
4. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
   1. Chair Mansfield noted that the subcommittee had completed the review of its assigned chapters and were requesting to review other areas where flood hazard is stated. 
5. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for May 22^nd, 2026, at 10 AM. 
   1. Annie Howard motioned to adjourn, seconded by Rececca Haney. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. The meeting adjourned at 11:29 AM. 

Items Relied Upon During Open Meeting

• Agenda
• Draft Meeting Minutes
• Code Change Proposal for dwelling unitts
• 2024 IEBC Chapters 1 and 2

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

1. ReviewMinutes of the following meetings: 
   1. March 13, 2026
   2. April 10, 2026
2. Review/Discuss/Vote Code Proposal
   1. Dwelling Unit Code Change Proposal submitted by Sarah Alexander, EEA
3. Review/Discuss/ Vote IEBC Chapter Reviews 
   1. IEBC Chapter 1
   2. IEBC Chapter 2
4. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is May 22, 2026