- Board of Building Regulations and Standards
The Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code (Stretch Code) first became available for municipal adoption in 2009. The Stretch Code located in the 9th Edition of the Building Code (780 CMR) was in Appendix AA of 780 CMR 51 for one- and two-family homes, and 780 CMR 115 for other structures. Section 98A of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021 moved the authority to update future editions of the Stretch Code to the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) in consultation with the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS). On December 9, 2022, DOER promulgated updates to the Stretch Code as 225 CMR 22.00 and 23.00.
DOER and the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) issue this joint guidance to clarify that building officials shall continue to enforce the residential Stretch Code as updated in 225 CMR 22.00 as it did prior to December 9, 2022, when the Stretch Code was located solely in 780 CMR. Building officials shall continue to enforce the commercial Stretch Code in 780 CMR until the updates found in 225 CMR 23.00 take effect for new permit applications. The 10th edition of 780 CMR will explicitly reference 225 CMR 22.00 and 23.00 and thereby remove any ambiguity regarding a building official’s authority to enforce the Stretch Code under both 780 CMR and 225 CMR. Any references to the updated Stretch Code in 225 CMR should be interpreted to allow for enforcement under 780 CMR