07/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/09/2025 13:48
Notice of Acceptance of Final Generic EIS
Statewide - The New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, as lead agency, has accepted a Final Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Proposed Amendment of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code. The Final EIS is available at the following address One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave Albany, New York. 12231, from the contact below and online at: https://dos.ny.gov/state-fire-prevention-and-building-code-council.
The action involves the a proposal by the New York State Department of State (NYS DOS) to repeal and replace the regulations that implement the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) set forth in 19 NYCRR Parts 1219, 1220, 1221,1222, 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227,1228 and 1229 and the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code (Energy Code) set forth in 19 NYCRR Part 1240. The Uniform Code applies to all buildings and structures in New York State except for those located within the City of New York. The Energy Code applies to all buildings and structures in New York State, including the City of New York. The principal purpose of the amendments is to update the Uniform Code and the Energy Code to incorporate revisions to New York State laws and the International Code Council's (ICC) Model Codes since the 2020 rulemakings. The changes being proposed are significant in nature, in that both the code changes from ICC's 2021 and 2024 Model Codes are being incorporated. Additionally, several significant New York legislative bills impacting the Uniform Code and Energy Code were passed and signed by the Governor in 2020 through 2025. NYS DOS has not identified any significant adverse environmental impacts from the proposed amendments. However, NYS DOS has chosen to use a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) as the means to discuss the objectives and rationale for the proposed regulations, present alternative measures under consideration, and provide the maximum opportunity for public participation. The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (Code Council) is the lead agency for these rulemaking proposals based on an affirmative vote of the Code Council at the July 26, 2024, meeting; however, NYS DOS acts administratively on behalf of the Code Council to file, post, and publish any supporting documents. The Notice of Draft Scope was published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin on August 7, 2024, and comments were received through September 6, 2024. The Code Council voted to publish the Final Scope for Draft GEIS on the NYS DOS website and for the Notice of Final Scope to appear in the Environmental Notice Bulletin at the September 27, 2024, meeting of the Code Council. The Notice of Final Scope was published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin on October 9, 2024. The Code Council voted to publish the Draft GEIS on the DOS website and for the Notice of Acceptance of Draft Environmental Impact Statement to appear in the Environmental Notice Bulletin at the February 28, 2025, meeting of the Code Council. The Code Council also voted to conduct an in-person and virtual public hearing on May 16, 2025, and for the Notice of Public Hearing to appear in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and State Register. The Notice of Acceptance of Draft GEIS and Public Hearing was published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and State Register on March 19, 2025. An in-person and virtual hearing was held on May 16, 2025. Public comments were accepted through May 27, 2025. The Code Council voted to publish the Final GEIS on the DOS website and for the Notice of Completion of Final GEIS to appear in the Environmental Notice Bulletin at the June 27, 2025, meeting of the Code Council. The project is located throughout New York.
Amalia Talty
New York State Department of State Division of Building and Codes
One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12231