Publication Date: February 9, 2016

Local building codes regulate new construction and repair, alteration, addition, and change of use in existing buildings. The latter, change of occupancy classification or use, is a common trigger for requiring an existing building to comply with the current building code requirements. However, the primary focus of model building codes has been on new construction, and the lack of guidance for retrofits has made upgrading existing buildings an uncertain prospect. This CBEI work focuses on developing clarity and consensus on an approach to improving energy efficiency in the built environment triggered by change of use code compliance.