WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2026|
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Municipalities are adopting the latest International Building Codes.
As reported by Toga Radio, the Rawlins City Council discussed the 2024 International Building Codes, or IBC, during the July 7th meeting. Officials debated automatically adopting the newest IBC into city ordinance without amending them, a process that currently requires approval three times at three separate public hearings.
Rawlins Building Official Mike O’Brien explained that the state adopts the standard International Building Codes every four years, while Rawlins must add its own restrictions into local ordinance. He said the city mostly follows the unmodified codes but, like other local governments, is more restrictive in certain areas, such as wind and snow‑load requirements. The city also sets time limits on building permits to encourage contractors to finish work in a timely manner.
The Rawlins City Council voted to adopt the 2024 IBC for the first time on July 7th and again on July 21st. The ordinance amendment was brought up for a third and final reading during the August 3rd City Council meeting. Building Official Mike O’Brien said the measure has not been altered since it was originally approved in early July and recommended it for final adoption.
Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the latest International Building Codes automatically take effect after the state adopts them. O’Brien replied that they did but added that the city must remain in compliance with the state or face legal, financial, and liability consequences.
Councilman Sanger asked what would happen if the governing body refused to adopt the newest International Building Codes. Building Official O’Brien said the state would intervene to ensure the codes were being enforced. In that case, Sanger said the Council should amend city ordinances to automatically adopt whatever International Building Codes Wyoming approves.
Councilman Bruce Seilaff said the city has chosen not to adopt certain building codes, including sprinkler requirements for all new homes. Building Official O’Brien said if the governing body automatically accepted the latest IBC, then those provisions would become mandatory.
Following the discussion, the Rawlins City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2024 International Building Codes on the third and final reading.
The Medicine Bow Town Council also considered an ordinance amendment to adopt the latest IBC during its August 10th meeting. Mayor Justin George introduced a measure to not only accept the building codes, but also to automatically incorporate them into town regulations, putting less demand on future governing bodies.
Councilman Lee Cook asked what would happen if future International Building Codes contained provisions the town did not want to adopt. Mayor George said any unwanted requirements could simply be removed by a council vote.
The Medicine Bow Town Council unanimously voted to pass the ordinance accepting the latest International Building Codes with the added condition that the standards are automatically written into law unless town officials object. The measure must be read two more times, during two separate public meetings before being finalized.
