Abstract:

This report provides a broad overview of the general regulatory environment governing the use and reuse of existing buildings. It provides examples of state and local efforts to reduce regulatory complexity and suggests possible strageties to help spur reinvestment in the existing building infastructure. It examines aspects of the current regulatory system in the USA and identifies some areas of complexity in this system that may act to impede the rehabilitation of existing buildings.; identifies some early reforms in state and local building rehabilitation regulations; reviews the major provisions of Housing and Urban Development Rehabilitation provisions (NARRP) issued in 1997 that established a model regulatory framework at the state or local level; considers recent regulatory developments since the issuance of NARRP that have contributed to increased local investment in existing buildings; and suggest possible strategies for encouraging the adoption of "smart codes" at the state and local level.