New 2011 state building code leads to late 2010 building spike

Concern over new energy efficiency mandates in the state building code at the start of the year prompted a boost in new home construction in rural Whitman County at the end of 2010, according to Dan Gladwill, county building official.

“We probably got two extra houses this year as a result of the fear of the new energy code,” Gladwill told county commissioners during their regular meeting Monday.

Gladwill issued permits for five new houses and one new manufactured home in the final three months of last year. He had permitted five homes in the previous three years combined.

For the year, 21 hou...