Boston Building Code AI

Massachusetts has one of the most complex building code landscapes in the country. The state adopts the IBC with significant Massachusetts-specific amendments (780 CMR), Boston adds local amendments on top, and the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code imposes energy requirements substantially stricter than the base IECC for communities that have adopted it — which includes Boston and most urban areas.

AI for Boston building code compliance is particularly valuable for the energy code dimension. The Stretch Energy Code requires buildings to meet performance thresholds beyond the standard IECC, and the specialized energy code (often based on ASHRAE 90.1 with Massachusetts-specific modifications) applies different requirements based on building type and climate zone. AI checks both the prescriptive path and the performance path simultaneously.

Historic preservation adds another compliance layer. Boston's historic districts and individually listed buildings may qualify for alternative compliance paths under the Massachusetts Building Code. AI identifies when a building's location or landmark status triggers historic preservation provisions and adjusts the applicable requirements accordingly — a nuance that a generic code checking tool would miss entirely.