March 06, 2025

#36 Stephen Smith: Safety vs. Sanity: The Surprising Cost of Over-Regulating Our Built World

1 hour 17 minutes

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Smith, founder of the Center for Building, to uncover the labyrinthine world of building codes—how they’re made, who really influences them, and why they end up stifling the very innovation and affordability we need. From the peculiarities of elevator requirements to the often overlooked role of local politics and special interests, we unpack how these complex rules shape our homes, buildings, and cities more than we might realize.

TAKEAWAYS

Why Building Codes Matter: Even if you’re not a builder or developer, codes dictate your home’s layout, the price of housing, and whether your favorite small condo project can even get off the ground.

The ICC (International Code Council) Isn’t Really “International”: You’ll learn how this non-governmental body, which writes most U.S. building codes, can be both extremely influential and surprisingly insular.

Over-Regulation’s Real-World Costs: We break down how elevator mandates, fire codes, and accessibility requirements—though well-intended—sometimes create perverse incentives that drive up costs or discourage better solutions.

Local Politics & Hidden Interests: Discover how “government members” and private manufacturers shape these codes, and why your mayor or city council may have little say in regulations that affect everyone.

A Path Forward: Stephen shares practical ways policymakers and citizens can get involved in reforming the system, focusing on a more human-centered approach that balances safety, cost, and beauty

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Challenge of Building Codes in the U.S.

03:06 The Role of Building Codes in Urban Development

05:46 Understanding the American Way of Building

09:09 The Impact of Building Codes on Housing Costs

12:09 Elevator Regulations and Their Consequences

14:52 Harmonization of Codes and Standards

18:11 Over-Dimensioning in American Construction

21:05 Labor Issues in the Construction Industry

23:57 The Need for Code Review and Justification

26:49 The Tyranny of Bureaucracy in Building Codes

38:49 The Grenfell Fire and Its Aftermath

45:05 Design Innovations in Building Codes

48:25 Understanding the ICC and Code Writing

58:09 The Revolving Door: Industry and Regulation

01:07:26 The Role of Government in Building Codes

01:15:20 Getting Involved: Supporting Change in Building Codes

CONNECT WITH STEPHEN

Center for Building https://www.centerforbuilding.org/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenjacobsmith.com

Email: [email protected]

MENTIONED RESOURCES

Elevator research: https://admin.centerforbuilding.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Elevators.pdf

CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL

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CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE

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SPONSORS

Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!

Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/

One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

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By Austin Tunnell

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