Historic Resources Committee

Preservation Brief 51, Building Codes for Historic and Existing Buildings: Planning and Maximizing their Application, is the latest addition to the Preservation Briefs publication series.

The Brief provides information on how to meet the goals of building codes while also preserving or minimizing alterations to the character-defining features, spaces, materials, and finishes of historic buildings. It presents an overview of the most widely adopted codes in the United States and their development and describes the specific provisions for historic buildings contained in these codes. It provides guidance for selecting the optimal code compliance method and suggests best practices for achieving code-compliant solutions that also allow for the preservation of a building's historic character. While the Brief is primarily intended to apply to historic buildings, much of the information also applies to the rehabilitation of existing buildings.

Webinars on Preservation Brief 51 will be scheduled in Fall 2024.