May is BUILDING SAFETY MONTH
Building Safety Month is an international campaign that takes place in May to raise awareness about building safety. This campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.
The International Code Council, its members, and a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety communities come together with corporations, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofits to promote building safety through proclamations, informational events, legislative briefings and more. We come together to support Building Safety Month because we understand the need for safe and sustainable structures where we live, work and play.
All communities need building codes to protect their citizens from disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Building codes are society's best way of protecting homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues. Code officials work day in and day out to keep the public safe.
History
For the last 46 years, we have celebrated advances in constructing safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient buildings and homes. The ongoing support of Building Safety Month and the important role code officials play in public safety in the built environment has come from U.S. presidents, governors, mayors, county executives, other government officials and construction industry professionals.
BUILDING SAFETY MONTH 2026: This is your chance to raise the profile and educate communities. The special 2026 Building Safety Month website is live and full of ideas and resources to make your community’s Building Safety Month activities successful and memorable. To support this year’s theme “Built to Last,” chapters, states, municipalities, cities, and territories around the world are encouraged to submit a proclamation on Building Safety Month (BSM).
To submit an online version of a proclamation CLICK HERE.
For downloadable Word document that can be personalized with your logo and information, please CLICK HERE.
PermitTechNation is proud to showcase your Chapter, City, County and State's Proclamation, forward a copy here!
Our Chapters Celebrate National Building Safety Month |
PermitTechNation Celebrates Building Safety Month with Member Proclamations and Virtual Spirit! PermitTechNation proudly celebrated Building Safety Month during its monthly virtual meeting by highlighting the important role building safety professionals play in protecting communities across the nation. Members were encouraged to share local proclamations issued by their jurisdictions as well as the many Building Safety Month activities and outreach events taking place throughout May. To show their support and create a fun, unified atmosphere, meeting participants joined the virtual meeting using themed Building Safety Month backgrounds. The event provided members an opportunity to showcase their community involvement, exchange ideas, and celebrate the dedication of permit technicians and code professionals who work every day to promote safe, resilient buildings. The celebration reflected PermitTechNation’s continued commitment to education, collaboration, and raising awareness about the importance of building safety in every community. |
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Clearwater County, ID, a member of the ICC Chapters IDABO, IDPT, and PTN hosted a special courthouse visit for local 1st graders, combining storytelling, civic learning, and building‑safety awareness. During their tour, students completed a safety “treasure hunt,” spotting exit signs, fire alarms, cameras, and fire extinguishers as part of Building Safety Month activities. They proudly pointed out these features again as they left the courthouse and were encouraged to look for them later at the movie theater. Each student went home with a small gift bag, including an ICC Activity Book to continue the learning. |
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2026 Building Safety Month Proclamations
2026 Built To Last Themes:
Week 1 (May 1–10) A safe community starts with safe homes. During Week 1 of Building Safety Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the everyday hazards that often go unnoticed, and the simple steps every homeowner and occupant can take to prevent incidents before they happen |
Voices of the Built Environment Behind every home or building is a team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to protect the public. Week 2 of Building Safety Month recognizes the individuals whose expertise, vigilance and commitment keep the places where we live, work and gather safe. |
Week 3 (May 18-24) Resilient buildings and disaster plans save lives. Week 3 of Building Safety Month focuses on how smart design, strong codes and community preparedness work together to reduce the impact of disasters. From earthquakes and floods to hurricanes and wildfires, the built environment plays a critical role in protecting people and property. |
Communities Without Limits Creating a truly safe community means ensuring every person, regardless of age, ability or circumstance, can move through and use the spaces around them. Communities without limits embrace built environments that are welcoming, intuitive and enjoyable by all. This begins with eliminating physical, sensory and cognitive barriers that prevent people from fully navigating homes, buildings and public spaces to their fullest extent. |
Share your Building Safety Month activities on all your social channels. Be sure to use the hashtags #BuildingSafetyMonth2026 and #BuildingSafety365 and tag ICC and your Code Chapter friends! |
DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT
Promoting Building Safety Month
Here are a few ideas for jurisdictions and chapters who are interested in promoting BSM (earns points for Annual Report):
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