DCI’s Vice President Jeff Brink speaks to BISNOW about California’s updated building code which goes into effect January 1, 2020 and contains new seismic requirements influencing upcoming projects. Developers and project teams kicking off new projects in the state will be pushed to find viable options to lower construction costs with alternative building materials, such as cross laminated timber (CLT).

This January, the International Code Council (ICC) approved a set of proposals that will allow tall wood buildings as part of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). These changes will include three new construction types, Type IV-A, IV-B and IV-C, expanding the use of mass timber – most notably, these provisions will allow timber structures up to 18 stories and 270 feet.