HB 175 Utah House · 2025 General Session

Housing Construction Amendments

HB 175 amends Utah's construction code to expand requirements for residential buildings. It specifically updates Section R101.2 to include three- and four-family dwellings (up to two levels) in the scope of the code, previously covering only one- and two-family homes. This change directly affects builders, developers, and homeowners constructing or renovating multi-family housing. The bill also adds clarifications about window egress for existing bedrooms, modifies deck and retaining wall rules, and defines "accessory dwelling units" for single-family properties. These changes aim to modernize code applicability without adding new costs or mandates.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Mar 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 2/4/2025 10:02:304 → Amended 2/4/2025 10:02:304 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's state construction code to expand housing regulations to include three- and four-family dwellings, adds new inspection requirements for insulation and fire-rated construction, and modifies several definitions related to building approvals and accessory dwelling units.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of housing construction regulations to include three- and four-family dwellings in addition to the previously covered one- and two-family dwellings.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded IRC Section R101.2 to include three- and four-family dwellings of up to two levels in addition to one- and two-family dwellings.

REQUIREMENT

Added new IRC Section R102.7.2 providing an exemption from physical changes for bedroom window egress when structural integrity or other code requirements would be compromised.

Modified IRC Section R105.2 to change retaining wall and deck exemptions, now requiring retaining walls to retain less than 4 feet of fill and decks to be no more than 30 inches above grade.

Added new IRC exception for grade-level, non-connected conex boxes under 350 square feet used for storage only.

Added new inspection requirements for insulation installation and fire-resistance-rated construction between dwelling units.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirement that building officials shall not request proprietary information during inspections.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT' as a habitable living unit within the existing footprint of a primary owner-occupied single-family dwelling.

Modified several definitions related to 'Approved', 'Approved Agency', and 'Approved Source' to include independent third-party licensed engineers or architects.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/4/2025 10:02:304 · 10 edits

MAJOR

This bill amends Utah's adoption of the International Residential Code to expand housing construction rules for three- and four-family dwellings, update snow load data, and modify various building requirements including stair dimensions, fire sprinklers, and energy storage system signage. The changes primarily affect residential construction standards and building code compliance rather than creating new funding or altering legislative eligibility.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of housing construction regulations to include three- and four-family dwellings of up to two levels, which were previously excluded from certain code requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded code applicability to include three- and four-family dwellings of up to two levels in addition to one- and two-family dwellings.

REQUIREMENT

Added new exception allowing existing bedroom egress windows that don't meet current code requirements to remain unchanged if structural changes would compromise building integrity.

Updated retaining wall requirements to exempt walls retaining less than 4 feet of unbalanced fill from certain design requirements.

Added new exception for small grade-level storage boxes under 350 square feet that are not connected to other structures.

Replaced ground snow load table with updated values from Utah State University research study.

Added requirement for exterior signage on dwellings to identify battery chemistry in energy storage systems.

Modified stair tread and riser requirements with specific dimensional standards and exceptions for winder treads.

Added exception allowing concrete foundation walls to be designed according to International Building Code standards.

Reduced minimum vapor barrier thickness requirement from 10-mil to 6-mil for certain applications.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for accessory dwelling units, energy storage systems, dual source water connections, and certified backflow preventer assembly testers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 20, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 20, 2025

Legislature · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

legislature

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ amended

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Introduced

House Comm - Amendment Recommendation

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

House/ to standing committee

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor