Why the Sudden Reversal on Building Codes? Transparency and Accountability Matter
- Joe Glass
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
At the June 2, 2025 Tallapoosa City Council meeting, Mayor Brett Jones and the Council voted to revert our city’s building codes back to the International Building Codes (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC). On the surface, aligning with these nationally recognized standards provides clarity, consistency, and streamlined permitting. Yet the timing and lack of detailed explanation for this abrupt policy shift demand answers.
From Stricter Local Codes to a National Standard
Just a few months ago, Mayor Jones passionately championed a more restrictive, Tallapoosa-specific code package. He argued that tighter regulations were necessary to safeguard public safety, improve construction quality, and protect neighborhood character. Those of us advocating for more balanced codes raised concerns that these local restrictions:
Created unpredictable permitting delays for homeowners and contractors
Raised development costs, deterring small-scale infill projects
Discouraged prospective businesses from renovating existing properties
Now, the Mayor has effectively abandoned that approach—without laying out clear evidence or any formal review.
The Real Cost to Tallapoosa
Because of these overly rigid local codes, our city has:
Lost an estimated $200,000+ in permit fees over the last year, as projects stalled or relocated to neighboring towns.
Forgone roughly $1.2 million in projected new sales tax revenue, as small retail and service businesses set up shop in Bremen, Bowdon, and Heflin instead.
Seen fewer than 10 new single-family home permits issued in the last 18 months—compared to 45 in Bremen and 38 in Bowdon during that same period.
Every week those projects sat on hold, Tallapoosa residents faced higher costs for home repairs and fewer local job opportunities.
While Neighbors Thrive, We’ve Stayed Stagnant
Over the past three years, Bremen has added a microbrewery and two tech startups. Bowdon attracted a medical clinic and a family-style restaurant. Heflin expanded its downtown with new retail shops and affordable townhomes. Meanwhile, Tallapoosa’s growth has been effectively frozen by Brett’s “big-city Atlanta” mentality—an urban-scale approach that fails to appreciate the needs and pace of our tight-knit community.
His insistence on over-engineered, one-size-fits-all regulations has:
Frustrated local builders (“I’d rather work in Bremen,” one contractor told me).
Kept families on the sidelines, choosing more agile towns for their first home purchase.
Signaled to entrepreneurs that Tallapoosa isn’t open for business.
Why Now—and What Should Come Next
Policy reversals are reasonable when grounded in new evidence. But because no new safety studies, economic analyses, or public forums preceded this vote, it feels more like political maneuvering than genuine leadership.
To restore trust, we need:
A transparent accounting of the revenue and growth we sacrificed under the old local codes.
Public workshops before any code change—so neighbors, builders, and business owners can weigh in.
Quarterly impact reports tracking permit throughput, construction costs, and safety outcomes.
My Vision for Responsible Growth
I support returning to the IBC/IRC—but only as part of a broader commitment to:
Balanced regulations that protect safety without stifling opportunity.
Timely decision-making, so important policy updates happen on a set schedule, not at the whim of politics.
Community-driven planning, ensuring Tallapoosa’s unique character guides every rule we adopt.
Under my leadership, we’ll learn from the successes of Bremen, Bowdon, and Heflin, adapt best practices, and chart a growth path that makes Tallapoosa the go-to choice for families and entrepreneurs alike.
Tallapoosa deserves more than reactive politics—it deserves forward-thinking governance that delivers both safety and prosperity. Let’s build our future together.
Joe Glass - The Clear Choice to Responsible Family-Focused Growth
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