Engineering Brief: Week in Review, Nov. 9-13, 2026

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Key takeaway: This Engineering Brief week in review covers the five code and housing changes from Nov. 9-13, 2026 that most affect how US buildings are designed and permitted.

This week’s Engineering Brief week in review leans on effective dates: two state code editions now have firm start dates, and California keeps reshaping school, housing and retrofit rules. Here are the five items to keep on your desk.

The five stories

1. 2026 Florida Building Code takes effect Dec. 31: The new Florida code edition takes effect Dec. 31, 2026, so permit filing timing decides which edition governs.
2. Washington 2024 building codes now set for May 3, 2027: Washington’s 2024 code package is now scheduled to take effect May 3, 2027.
3. San Francisco concrete building retrofit study: The city’s study points toward phased retrofit mandates for older concrete buildings.
4. DSA proposes 2028 CALGreen school changes: Classroom CO2 monitors and changes to MERV 13 sections are on the table for California schools.
5. California AB 956 allows two detached ADUs per lot from 2027: More backyard housing on single-family lots starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Read every item on the Engineering Brief page.