New guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development address “slight to moderate risk” for subterranean termites in the southern half of Minnesota.
Until recently, the risk of termite infestations in new Minnesota homes has been so slight that builders have been exempt from federal rules requiring inspections and treatment.
Buyers of unprotected homes will be unable to qualify for government-backed mortgages, so despite builder protests that termites are not an issue in Minnesota, they will have to comply with the code.
Related Stories
Energy Efficiency
Meet the Zero Energy Ready Home Program Version 2
The latest version of the ZERH program aims to push home energy efficiency and performance to the next level
Regional Builders
Utah’s Housing Recovery Hinges on Federal Permitting Reform
Despite a fast pace of new-construction projects statewide, demand for housing in Utah continues to outpace supply. Local builders say reforming an outdated federal permitting process could help
NAHB
2020 National Electrical Code Resets GFCI Rule
NAHB Policy Briefing: Electrical code updates regarding ground-fault circuit interrupters out of step with currently available HVAC products; number of women employed in construction rises
