Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Residential Code Subcommittee Meeting- 5.21.26

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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 Residential Code 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.

Residential Code Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes – BBRS Residential Code Committee

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

Microsoft Teams Meeting May 21st, 2026

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 9:04 AM Executive Director Tammy Gropman called the open meeting to order in the absence of a Chair. 

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.

Committee Members Present:

• Todd Cantor (left meeting at 10:46 AM)
• Becca Edson
• Jason Ferschke (left meeting at 10:15 AM)
• Greg Gagnon (left meeting at 10:15 AM)
• Reade Milne
• David Silveira (joined at 9:07, left meeting at 10:50 AM)
• David Riquinha
• Ross Seavey (joined at 9:48 AM)

Committee Members Absent:

• Len Morse-Fortier

DOL Staff Present:

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

1. Voted Chair Position
   1. Executive Director Tammy Gropman noted that Mark Barbadoro would no longer be serving as chair or the DOL appointee on the Residential Code subcommittee; his seat would be filled by Ross Seavey.  She requested that the subcommittee choose a new chair. Reade Milne nominated David Riquinha for Chair, seconded by Todd Cantor. David Riquinha accepted nomination. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. E.D. Tammy Gropman noted that she would assist by facilitating this meeting with David Riquinha assuming the Chair role at the next meeting.
2. Reviewed and Voted Residential Code Minutes
   1. Meeting minutes for April 23^rd, 2026 – Jason Ferschke motioned to approve meeting minutes, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, David Riquinha abstained. Motion passed with majority.  
3. Review and Voted Code Proposal
   1. Sprinkler System for One- and Two-Family Dwellings submitted by T. Cantor 
      1. Members reviewed the revised code change proposal concerning sprinkler systems for one- and two-family dwellings. Discussion focused on ensuring that the proposal accurately reflected previous subcommittee action and was correctly formatted for forwarding to the full BBRS. Members discussed the distinction between existing Massachusetts amendments, the 2021 IRC, and the 2024 IRC as the basis for development of the 11th Edition code. 
      2. Members also discussed whether future code proposal forms should identify the specific edition of the code being amended to avoid confusion during future code cycles. The proposal would require sprinkler systems in new two-family dwellings, one-family dwellings over 14,400 square feet, while retaining existing exceptions for additions and alterations. 
      3. Reade Milne motioned to adopt code change proposal and forward to the BBRS for review, seconded by Jason Ferschke. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, David Riquinha abstained. Motion passed with majority. 
4. Reviewed and Voted IRC and 780 CMR 51.00 Chapters
   1. IRC Chapter 11 – Members reviewed IRC Chapter 11 and discussed the relationship between residential code provisions and ongoing work being performed by the Energy Advisory Committee. Reade Milne motioned to take no action and refer Chapter 11 to the Energy Advisory subcommittee, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. IRC Appendix NB (formerly AT) – Members reviewed Appendix NB, which was renumbered from Appendix AT in the 2021 IRC. Discussion focused on Massachusetts solar-ready provisions and prior amendments carried forward from the 10th Edition. Members discussed whether Massachusetts-specific amendments remained necessary, whether existing code language adequately addressed solar-ready requirements, and how the provisions interacted with Stretch Energy Code requirements. Members agreed that additional background information was needed regarding the origin and purpose of the Massachusetts amendments. Becca Edson motioned to table discussion of Appendix NB pending further research and coordination with Energy Advisory subcommittee, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   3. IRC Appendix AA – Members reviewed Appendix AA relating to boards of appeals. Discussion focused on the fact that Massachusetts has separate statutory and regulatory provisions governing appeals processes and that the appendix had not been adopted in the 10th Edition. Members agreed that adoption of the appendix could create conflicts with existing Massachusetts requirements. Reade Milne motioned to not adopt appendix AA, seconded by Jason Ferschke. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   4. IRC Appendix AB – Members reviewed Appendix AB relating to permit fees. Members agreed that permit fee administration is governed by separate authorities within Massachusetts and that the appendix should not be adopted. Reade Milne motioned to not adopt Appendix AB, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   5. IRC Appendix BA – Members reviewed Appendix BA and discussed amendments previously adopted in the 10th Edition. Discussion focused on ensuring that manufactured housing installed within Massachusetts complies with applicable Massachusetts building code requirements and referenced standards. Members reviewed language directing compliance with Massachusetts-specific requirements rather than alternative standards. Members also discussed practical limitations associated with bringing older manufactured housing units into full compliance with current code requirements. Reade Milne motioned to adopt Appendix BA as amended, seconded by David Silveira. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, David Riquinha abstained. Motion passed with majority.
   6. IRC Appendix BD – Members reviewed Appendix BD relating to home daycare occupancies. Discussion focused on prior Massachusetts treatment of the appendix and whether the provisions should continue to be excluded from adoption. Members agreed that the appendix should not be adopted. Reade Milne motioned to not adopt Appendix BD, seconded by Todd Cantor. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   7. IRC Appendix BE – Members reviewed Appendix BE relating to radon control methods. Discussion focused on prior Massachusetts amendments, technical radon mitigation standards, testing requirements, and referenced standards. Members expressed concerns regarding their ability to evaluate highly technical radon mitigation provisions without subject matter expertise. Members discussed whether amendments previously carried forward from earlier editions remained necessary and whether newer standards may exist. Members agreed that review by a more technically specialized committee would be appropriate. Ross Seavey motioned to take no action and recommend Appendix BE be referred to the Geotechnical Advisory subcommittee, seconded by David Riquinha. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   8. IRC Appendix BF – Members reviewed Appendix BF and discussed prior Massachusetts treatment of the appendix. Members determined that the appendix could be adopted without Massachusetts amendments. Reade Milne motioned to adopt Appendix BF without amendment, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, David Riquinha abstained. Motion passed with majority. 
   9. IRC Chapter 4
      1. Section R401.3 – Members discussed language governing drainage around foundation systems. Discussion focused on a Massachusetts amendment requiring that temporary and finished grading not direct or create flooding or damage to adjacent property during or after completion of construction. Members discussed how local building officials use this provision during construction to address drainage conditions that may adversely affect neighboring properties. Members also discussed whether the exception language contained in the base IRC should remain. The subcommittee agreed to carry forward the Massachusetts amended language while retaining the existing IRC exception language. Reade Milne motioned to retain Massachusetts amendment to R401.3 and preserve IRC exception language, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
      2. Section R401.4.1 – Members reviewed Section R401.4.1 regarding presumptive load-bearing values for foundation design. Discussion focused on a Massachusetts amendment referencing 780 CMR Table 1806.2 for presumptive load-bearing capacities. Members discussed whether the referenced table would continue to exist in the 11th Edition and noted that review by structural and geotechnical code groups may affect the final numbering or content of the table. Members agreed that the Massachusetts reference should be carried forward at this stage, with the understanding that future coordination may be required to ensure the referenced table remains valid. Reade Milne motioned to retain Massachusetts amended language referencing 780 CMR Table 1806.2, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
      3. Section R402.2 – Members reviewed Section R402.2 and noted that the existing Massachusetts amendment references Table R301.2(2). Discussion focused on whether future renumbering or amendments within IRC Chapter 3 may affect the validity of that reference. Members agreed that review of Section R402.2 should be deferred until completion of the Chapter 3 review so that all cross-references can be verified for accuracy.
      4. Section R403.1 – Members reviewed Section R403.1 governing foundation construction. Discussion focused on a Massachusetts amendment permitting foundations to bear on adequately compacted fill not more than 12 inches in depth. Members discussed the origin and purpose of the amendment and whether the amendment remained necessary given the existing 2024 IRC language requiring foundations to bear on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill. Members expressed concern that the amendment lacked sufficient technical justification and noted that any future need for the amendment could be raised through public comment or by a technical subcommittee. Reade Milne motioned to not carry forward the Massachusetts amendment and instead to retain the 2024 IRC language, seconded by Becca Edson. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
      5. Section R403.1.3.1 - Members began review of Section R403.1.3.1 and related Massachusetts amendments concerning cross-references within foundation design provisions. Discussion focused on a Massachusetts deletion of a code reference and whether the amendment remained necessary in the 11th Edition. Members agreed that additional review was needed before taking action. Review of this section was deferred to a future meeting. It was noted at this time that David Silveira left the meeting and quorum was lost. No further action taken. 
5. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for June 4^th, 2026
   1. While a quorum was not present, to memorialize the end of the meeting, Ross Seavey motioned to adjourn, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. Meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.

Items Relied Upon

• Meeting Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Code Change Proposal
• 2024 IRC

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

1. Vote Chair Position
2. ReviewMinutes of the following meetings: 
   1. April 23, 2026
3. Review/Discuss/Vote Code Proposal
   1. R313.2/Appendix BO Code change proposal sprinkler system for two-family submitted by T. Cantor 
4. Review/Discuss/ Vote IRC and 780 CMR 51.00 Chapter Reviews 
   1. IRC Chapter 11
   2. IRC Appendix AT
   3. IRC Appendix AA
   4. IRC Appendix AB
   5. IRC Appendix BA
   6. IRC Appendix BD
   7. IRC Appendix BE
   8. IRC Appendix BF
   9. IRC Chapter 4
   10. IRC Chapter 6
5. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is June 4, 2026