USDA extends green building compliance deadlines quietly
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA and HUD are making new homes built with their loans more energy-efficient by adopting updated energy standards. If you’re using USDA loans like Section 502 or 523, you get an extra six months to meet these new rules, giving builders more time to adjust. This change helps save energy and money in the long run while making sure new homes are greener and better.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
HUD and USDA adopt updated energy codes
HUD and USDA adopted the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the 2019 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 as the minimum energy standards for new construction in programs covered by 42 U.S.C. 12709. That Final Determination was published April 26, 2024.
USDA adds six‑month compliance delay
USDA is delaying compliance dates by six months for certain USDA housing programs (Section 502 Guaranteed Loans and Direct Loans, and Section 523 Self Help Loans). The notice is applicable April 4, 2025, and the updated compliance timing shown is 24 months after the effective date: May 28, 2026.
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