BIA Advocacy Update

Fargo memo to truss manufacturers - 2024 International Residential Code

The city of Fargo shared a memorandum reminding truss manufacturers of the 2024 IRC adoption in July, 2025. As of Jan. 1, 2026, designs must meet the requirements of Section R502.12, including the bracing requirements of R502.12.2. Beginning Jan. 1, drawings that do not specify that they have been designed to the 2024 edition of the IRC will not be accepted. 

Click here to access the sections mentioned above.

Building Industry Connect with Cass County officials

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Cass County Commissioners Tim Flakoll and Joel Vettel, along with Administrator Robert Wilson, for Building Industry Connect. The discussion covered key topics including the county’s jail expansion, economic development incentives, infrastructure priorities and more.

It was a nice opportunity to deepen our understanding of the County Commission’s role and the impactful work they do for our community.

Minnesota Construction Codes and Licensing Division update

The fall 2025 newsletter includes information on:

• 2026 State Building Code adoption update
• Building Official Training grants open soon
• Contractor registration renewals due by Dec. 31, 2025
• Working groups to review manufactured home requirements and the International Fire Code
• Bloomington contractor fined $14,500 for unlicensed work
• and more. 

Click here to read the newsletter.

News from NAHB: HUD cuts all multifamily mortgage insurance premiums to 25 basis points

The Federal Housing Administration recently announced that beginning Oct. 1, it will be reducing FHA multifamily mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) for all multifamily programs to 25 basis points (0.25%), which is the minimum allowed level. In the past, premiums ranged from 25 to 95 basis points (25-95%). The reductions are set for any FHA multifamily mortgage insurance applications submitted or amended on Oct. 1, as long as the loan has not been initially endorsed. 

According to NAHB, 25 basis points for all multifamily programs makes them more cost-effective and should encourage production of multifamily housing.

The FHA is also eliminating categories including Green and Energy Efficient Housing, Affordable Housing and Broadly Affordable Housing. These programs received preferential mortgage insurance premiums while market-rate MIPs were unchanged. HUD argues that the programs above are not aligned with President Trump's executive order on Unleashing American Energy and that the FHA's market-rate multifamily program was underutilized because the programs were cost-prohibitive. 

NAHB still encourages members who are interested in constructing green properties to use the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard. 

Read the full update from NAHB here.