FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

City of Farmington to Hold Public Hearing Regarding New Building Codes

Farmington, Missouri (September 2, 2026) – The City of Farmington will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:00pm, concerning the proposed adoption of updated building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, property maintenance, fire safety, and related construction codes. The hearing will be conducted during a meeting of the Farmington City Council at Farmington City Hall, located at 110 West Columbia Street in Farmington.

Although Missouri law does not require a public hearing for the adoption of technical codes by reference, the City is scheduling the hearing to provide residents, contractors, design professionals, property owners, insurers, and other interested persons an additional opportunity to review and comment on the proposed changes.

“We want the process to be open and understandable to the people who will work with these codes and to the residents and property owners who may be affected by them,” Development Services Director Tim Porter said. “Holding a formal public hearing gives everyone an opportunity to ask questions, comment on the proposed local amendments, and speak directly to the City Council before it takes final action.”

The proposed update includes the 2024 editions of the International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Existing Building, Property Maintenance, Swimming Pool and Spa, Private Sewage Disposal, and Fire Codes, as well as the 2023 National Electrical Code. The updated codes would replace the 2015 International Codes and 2014 National Electrical Code adopted by the City in 2018.

The proposed updates are intended to bring Farmington’s standards into closer alignment with current construction practices, safety research, and nationally recognized requirements. Updated provisions address structural safety, fire protection, electrical and fuel-gas hazards, energy efficiency, plumbing and mechanical systems, accessibility, property maintenance, and the safe use of existing buildings.

The update also responds directly to the City’s most recent evaluation under the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule, commonly known as BCEGS. The BCEGS program evaluates a community’s adopted building codes and the effectiveness of its code administration, plan review, and field-inspection practices.

Insurers may use BCEGS classifications and related information for rating and underwriting purposes. More current codes and consistent enforcement may improve the City’s position in future ISO evaluations, but code adoption alone does not guarantee a particular classification, insurance premium, coverage decision, or individual property rate.

The proposed updates will not automatically reduce insurance costs for the City, businesses, or residents. Property owners and businesses should consult their insurance agents or carriers with questions about how adopted codes, permits, inspections, fire-protection features, or required improvements may affect their coverage or premiums. Insurers, insurance agents, and other risk-management professionals are also invited to review the proposed ordinance and local amendments and submit comments before the public hearing.

The code updates would help the City address changing development conditions and improve consistency in plan review and inspections. The proposed local amendments are intended to preserve requirements tailored to Farmington’s community needs, existing infrastructure, climate, development patterns, and public-safety priorities.

“Updating the building codes is only part of the process,” Porter said. “ISO also evaluates how effectively a community administers and enforces those codes. By adopting current standards, applying them consistently, clarifying expectations for builders, and documenting the work our staff already performs, we can improve safety and address a known weakness in the City’s current evaluation.”

Copies of the proposed codes, adopting ordinance, and proposed local amendments are available for review through October 8, 2026. The materials may be reviewed during regular business hours at the City Clerk’s office, located inside Farmington City Hall.

Members of the public may provide comments during the October 8 hearing or submit written comments to the City Clerk prior to the meeting.

Anyone with questions about the proposed code changes should contact Building Code Enforcement Supervisor Zach Tedford at the Development Services office, located at 101 South Jefferson Street in Farmington. Tedford may also be reached by email at ztedford@farmington-mo.gov or by phone at 573.756.0608.

Media Contacts

Tim Porter

Director Of Development Services

City of Farmington

Kristen White

Communications Director

City of Farmington