Phoenix’s Bold Leap Forward: What the 2024 Building Code Means for You

When I first moved to Arizona in 1989 to attend ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, I fell in love with our state’s spirit of innovation and growth. Back then, Phoenix was already booming, but hardly anything could have prepared me for the transformation we’re witnessing today. 

On July 7, 2025, the Phoenix City Council adopted the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code, setting the stage for a safer, more sustainable, and more accessible city. 

In this article, I’ll walk you through the key changes, share real‑world stories from local homeowners and builders, and explain why this update matters if you’re buying, selling, or developing property in the Valley of the Sun.

Why a New Code? A Brief Backstory

Phoenix isn’t the first municipality to adopt the International Code Council’s latest standards, but we’re among the first major U.S. cities to do so wholesale. The old code served us well for more than five years, but our growth, evolving demographics, and climate challenges called for a refresh.

• Population surge: From 2010 to 2024, Phoenix grew by over 15 %, welcoming young professionals, retirees, and families.
• Aging in place: Nearly 14 % of Phoenix households include someone over age 65, higher than most metros, and many want to stay in their homes as they age.
• Climate resilience: Our average summer temperature now hovers near 105 °F, underscoring the need for sustainable materials and energy‑efficient systems.

In short, Phoenix needed a code that reflects today’s realities and anticipates tomorrow’s.

From Vote to Reality: Timeline & Grace Period

On July 7, 2025, Phoenix’s mayor and councilmembers unanimously approved the new code. It went into effect on August 1, 2025, with a one‑year grace period for projects already in the pipeline.

“We wanted to give our community time to adapt,” Mayor Kate Gallego said at the adoption ceremony. “This code ensures Phoenix leads in accessibility, safety, and sustainability.”

If you submitted plans before August 1, you can choose either the old or new code; but anything filed after must comply with the 2024 standards.

Top Highlights: What’s New and Why It Matters

1. Aging‑in‑Place Design

Imagine your grandparents, or you, easily navigating a home well into your eighties. That’s exactly the goal here.

• Wider doorways (minimum 36 inches) and hallways to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers.
• Zero‑step entries at main doors.
• Lever‑style door handles and faucets; no twisting or pinching.

2. Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness

Arizona’s EV registrations jumped 38% from 2023 to 2024. The new code ensures homes are ready.

• Mandatory enclosed electrical pathways in single and two‑family homes for future EV chargers to house and protect electrical wires, cables, or busbars.  
• Dedicated 240‑volt outlet specifications near garages.

No more costly retrofits. When you’re ready to plug in, the heavy lifting is already done.

3. Water Efficiency & Sustainable Plumbing

Our desert city depends on every drop.

• Low‑flow fixtures across kitchens and baths, cutting household water use by up to 30 %.
• Streamlined sewer connections: Builders can tie in without extra review hoops, speeding up construction.

4. Mass Timber for Mid‑Rise Buildings

Timber in the desert? Absolutely.

• Approved for up to 18 stories, mass timber buildings lock in carbon dioxide and reduce embodied carbon by nearly 45 % compared to steel or concrete.
• Design flexibility, too: warm interiors, natural finishes, and faster construction.

5. Enhanced Fire Safety

Protecting life and property remains paramount.

• Stricter egress requirements for assembly spaces like restaurants and theaters.
• Rooftop escape stairs on larger multi‑family buildings.
• Improved fire‑resistant materials for single‑family roofing in high‑wind areas.

Side‑by‑Side: 2018 vs. 2024 Code

Who Benefits and How

• Homeowners gain long‑term cost savings, comfort, and future resale appeal.
• Builders & Developers unlock new market niches (mass timber, senior living) and streamline permitting.
• The City & Community advance sustainability goals, bolster public safety, and attract cutting‑edge projects.

Conclusion

Phoenix’s adoption of the 2024 Building Construction Code marks a bold step toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient city. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a remodel, an investor eyeing the next big development, or a builder ready to innovate, these updates offer both challenge and opportunity.

For trusted guidance through every detail, legal, logistical, and strategic, turn to someone who knows both real estate and the law inside and out.

Please reach out to Jeff Hernandez, Esq., Scottsdale Real Estate Agent & Attorney, at (602) 550‑1114, and let’s navigate Phoenix’s exciting new frontier together with confidence and clarity.