SAFFORD — Builders are being asked to put in their two cents when it comes to building codes in the Gila Valley.
The Safford Planning and Community Development Department held a public meeting Monday about updating to the 2024 International Residential Building Code, and included building officials from Thatcher, Pima and Graham County.
Currently Safford, Thatcher and Pima are operating under the 2015 code, while Graham County is using the 2003 code. The plan is to have all governmental agencies on the same code, to make it easier for developers to do business anywhere in the Gila Valley.
“The goal of meetings like this is to have everybody in the room so they see we are working together,” said Jaime Embick, Planning director for Safford. “Of course, there will be variances between each jurisdiction but, in general, we want to work together.”
Builders expressed concern that too many changes could inflate the cost of construction, which would raise the cost to homebuyers.
Barbara Rice with Shum Coda Associates, the consultant hired by Safford to facilitate the code update, explained that most of the changes involve the electrical code, and that individual jurisdictions have the ability to make amendments to fit their community’s specific needs.
Safford Planning and Zoning Commission will review the Building Code update in June and then it will come before the City Council for a work session and public meeting — where more input may be offered — before final adoption.
Thatcher anticipates holding public meetings on the update in the fall or winter.
