Codes + Standards Growing trend of U.S. cities loosening zoning regulations Focus is shifting toward the appearance and relationship between buildings and away from building use.
Codes + Standards Owners enthused over geothermal system after expanding Westport, Conn., home The system has eliminated oil and gas bills for the 1950s-era, 1,800-sf home.
Codes + Standards Californians turn to green dyes to spruce up parched lawns Tightening water-use restrictions are driving the use of the non-toxic dye.
Codes + Standards Prescott, Ariz. reaffirms controversial sprinkler requirement in new code After a debate over adopting the latest code for sprinkler installment, city officials voted to keep it.
Codes + Standards 2014 National Electrical Code now effective in 12 states; 11 more to come online by January The revised requirements impact residential, commercial and industrial electrical installations.
Codes + Standards Net-metering case goes to Ohio Supreme Court Ohio utilities are trying to reduce the amount net-metering customers get for their electricity.
Codes + Standards Ottawa, Ill., approves new code, except for single-family home sprinkler requirement Added costs of proposed sprinkler provision concerned city officials.
Codes + Standards Fed survey finds demand for prime mortgages rising, some easing of credit standards The Wall Street Journal calls it the largest wave of lenders loosening standards for prime mortgages since the housing bust.
Codes + Standards More first-time home buyers should be entering the market but aren’t A new Harvard study concludes that tight credit, not affordability, is keeping first-timers away
Codes + Standards California revives study of earthquake faults that could restrict development The new study will be partially paid for through increases to building permit fees.
