Draft Stretch Code Updates Released for Public Comment
DOER is pleased to release a series of proposed revisions to the Stretch and Specialized codes, covering both commercial and residential sections. Based on the feedback received over the last year and a half of these regulations being in place, these modest revisions are now available for public comment.
The revisions to the Stretch and Specialized codes are presented here, in both clean and redline versions, along with a summary of the proposed changes.
- 225 CMR 22 MA Residential public comment CLEAN
- 225 CMR 22 MA Residential public comment REDLINE
- 225 CMR 23 MA Commercial public comment CLEAN
- 225 CMR 23 MA Commercial public comment REDLINE
- Proposed Stretch and Specialized code changes Summary
DOER is seeking public comment on these documents. There will be a Public Hearing during the week of September 16 on zoom. Exact time and date to be announced. Translation services available upon request.
Written comments will be accepted until 5 PM EST on September 17, 2024. Please submit written comments on the proposed revisions electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words STRETCH CODE FEEDBACK in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02114.
DOER Listening Session: Stretch and Specialized Energy codes
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) held a Zoom listening session on March 27, 2024 to get public input on its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code.
At that time, the most recent version of the Residential Stretch Energy code had been in place for more than a year (since Jan. 1, 2023), and the Commercial Stretch Energy code had been in place since July 1, 2023. The Specialized energy code had been available for local adoption since December 2022.
DOER held the listening session to hear feedback from users of these building energy codes.
DOER also encouraged written comments. The deadline for written comments was, April 3, 2024.
Final Guideline
In September of 2023, DOER released a series of final Technical Guidance documents designed to inform and assist users in implementing the new Stretch and Specialized energy codes. Guidance documents include:
- Final Stretch and Specialized Code Guidelines, including: Attachment A (Envelope Performance and Thermal Bridge Derating), Attachment B (ASHRAE Appendix G Relative Performance Simulation Guidelines), Attachment C (Targeted Performance Simulation Guidelines), Schedule and Loads Supplement, and weather file.
- Stretch Energy Code Study Support
- Models conforming to TEDI Requirements
Additional Resources
Final Code language for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code
DOER’s Final Regulations 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00 were filed with the Secretary of State on December 9th.
- Summary Document Explaining Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language
- 225 CMR 22.00 Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code
- Redline from the June draft regulations: 225 CMR 22.00 Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Redline
- 225 CMR 23.00 Commercial and other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code
- Redline from the June draft regulations: 225 CMR 23.00 Commercial and other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Redline
- Joint DPL & DOER Guidance for Building Officials
Webinar Overview of the Final Code Language.
On November 2nd, DOER held a webinar to provide an overview of the updates to the Stretch Code and New Specialized code. Slides and a Webinar recording are provided for stakeholder review.
Public Comment Process for the New Specialized Stretch Code Regulation
During the Summer of 2022, DOER sought feedback from the public on the Specialized Stretch Code Draft Regulatory Language, released on June 24, 2022, to inform final development of code language. Feedback included three virtual public hearings and written comments.
Virtual Hearings
Interpretation services were provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Each listed hearing includes a link to the recording of the event.
| DOER Stretch Code Hearings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Location |
| July 22, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 |
| August 2, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169 |
| August 8, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Virtual (link to recording) |
Written Comments
DOER received over 700 written comments by the deadline. Public comments are posted here.
Additional Resources
Draft Code language for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code
On September 23rd, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released final code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code:
- Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the TUE committee)
- Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the TUE committee)
On June 24th, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code:
- Summary Document Explaining the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language
- Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the Secretary of State)
- Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections) (front-end amendment submitted to the Secretary of State)
DOER’s Draft Regulations 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00 have been filed with the Secretary of State.
Public Comment process for the Draft Code Proposal
DOER is seeking public comments on the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Stretch Code Draft Regulation, released on June 24, 2022, to inform the final code language. Written comments will be accepted until 5 PM on August 12th 2022. Please submit written comments on the regulations electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words BUILDING CODE COMMENTS in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114.
Public Hearings
DOER will hold three public hearings to receive verbal feedback.
| DOER Public Hearing | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Location |
| July 22, 2022 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 |
| August 2, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169 |
| August 8, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Virtual (link to recording) |
Interpretation services will be provided in American Sign Language, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese. For interpretation services in other languages, please email a request to stretchcode@mass.gov by August 1, 2022.
Webinar
DOER provided an overview of the draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code, along with responses to frequently asked questions, during a recorded webinar on July 7, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.
View the slides from the July 7, 2022 Stretch Code Information Webinar.
View the July 7, 2022 Stretch Code Information Webinar Recording.
Public Comment Process for the New Specialized Stretch Code Straw Proposal
During the Spring of 2022, DOER sought feedback from the public on the Specialized Stretch Code Straw Proposal released on February 8 to inform further development of the code. Feedback included five virtual public hearings and written comments.
Virtual Hearings
Interpretation services were provided at all hearings in Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Each listed hearing includes a link to the recording of the event.
| Hearing Focus | Date |
|---|---|
| Western Region | March 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Metro Boston and Northeastern Region | March 3, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Environmental Justice Communities | March 4, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Central Region | March 7, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
| Southeastern Region | March 8, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Written Comments
DOER received over 1,200 written comments by the deadline. Public comments are posted here.
Additional Resources
Release of Straw Proposal for Stretch Code update and New Specialized Stretch Code
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) has released a Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code, for stakeholder review and comment. DOER held a virtual briefing on the Straw Proposal on Thursday February 8th, 2022 at 9:00 am EST.
DOER is seeking comment on this Straw Proposal and is holding geographically-targeted public hearings in late February/early March to receive verbal public comment. More information about the public hearings is posted to DOER's event page. DOER highly encourages written comments be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the subject line “Stretch Code Straw Proposal Comments.”
Deadline for public comment extended
The deadline for written comments on the Straw Proposal containing proposed updates to the existing Stretch Code and a framework for a new Specialized Stretch Code has been extended to 5 pm EST on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Written comments may also be submitted via mail to the Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114, attention Nina Mascarenhas.
Please sign up here to receive future updates on the Stretch Code.
Additional Resources
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Committee will review technical regulatory code language and provide ongoing support for reviewing any technical amendments to the code language in an advisory role to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. The technical committee consists of members with strong subject matter expertise and knowledge of the building energy codes and best practices in low-carbon construction in both Massachusetts and around the country. Find the Technical Committee members and schedule at the Technical Committee Information Page.
Additional Resources
Stretch Code Backup Information – Early Release
DOER utilized two expert consulting teams to analyze energy efficiency requirements to inform its update to the Stretch Energy Code.
The Stretch Energy Code Development Support Documentation page contains detailed documentation of assumptions and results on this analysis.
Additional Resources
2022 Updates
Three Tiers of Energy Code in Massachusetts
Base Energy Code
As part of the Green Communities Act of 2008, Massachusetts is required to update its building code every three years to be consistent with the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In 2022 the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) plans an update of the full set of building codes to the MA 10th edition based on the ICC 2021 model codes. This includes an update of the base energy code to the IECC 2021 with MA amendments.
Stretch Energy Code
DOER, in consultation with the BBRS, is updating the Stretch energy code that is a key requirement for municipalities that are Green Communities.
Municipal Opt-In ‘Net-Zero’ Specialized Stretch Code
A new climate-focused energy code option was created by the 2021 Climate Act. DOER is developing this new code alongside the Stretch Energy Code update. However, the specialized code must also include:
- net-zero building performance standards
- a definition of net-zero building
- designed to achieve MA GHG emission limits and sub-limits including a 50% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels
Additional Resources
2022-2023 Stretch Code Timeline
Spring 2022
Following public outreach and input on the straw proposal, DOER plans to release an initial draft of the update to the Stretch Code and the new Specialized Opt-In Stretch Code language in Spring 2022.
Summer 2022
DOER will hold public hearings on the draft code language for the Stretch Code update and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Summer 2022
Fall 2022
After reviewing public comment, DOER will revise the code language as required and publish the final update to the Stretch Code and the New Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code in Fall 2022
Stretch Code In Massachusetts
Contact for Stretch Energy Code Development
Online
Address
| Last updated: | February 7, 2022 |
|---|