City of Austin Residential Plan Review: New Lighting Control Rules Start October 1
Starting October 1, 2026, the City of Austin will review residential plans for lighting control compliance. The review covers Sections R404.2.1 and R404.2.2 of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
If you plan to submit residential plans this fall, check your lighting design now.
The submittal date sets the rule
The cutoff depends on your submittal date, not your approval date.
Plans submitted before October 1 get reviewed under current standards.
Plans submitted on or after October 1 fall under the new requirements.
What the new review checks
The rules split by room type.
Living, sleeping, eating, and cooking areas: Permanently installed fixtures need one of two controls. You can install a manual dimmer. Or you can install an automatic control that shuts the lights off within 20 minutes after the room is vacant.
Garages, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and unfinished basements: These spaces need automatic shutoff switches.
All rooms: Occupants must still reach a regular on/off switch.
Why this code applies in Austin
Austin adopted the 2024 editions of its technical codes in 2025. The energy code follows the 2024 IECC with Austin's local amendments. The City publishes a residential summary of the IECC changes and the local amendments it proposed. You can read it here:
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=433141
The City also reviews residential projects against the 2024 International Residential Code and Chapter 25-12 of the City Code (technical codes and local amendments). You can find those details on the Residential Plan Review page:
https://www.austintexas.gov/development-services/residential-plan-review
Fix it at design, not in review
A lighting comment in review costs you time. You revise the sheets, resubmit, and wait for another review cycle.
Catching the issue at design costs one conversation with your designer or electrician.
Here is a simple check before you submit:
Walk each room on your plans. Mark its type. Confirm the plans show a dimmer or a vacancy shutoff in living areas. Confirm the plans show automatic shutoff in garages, laundry, and utility spaces. Confirm every room keeps a standard switch.
Then note the controls on your plans so the reviewer sees them without hunting.
Who this affects
Architects and designers need to update lighting notes and electrical sheets. Contractors need to price the controls before they bid. Homeowners and builders need to expect a small change in fixture and switch cost.
How Mercury Permits helps
We have handled permits across Texas since 1996. We track code changes like this one in every jurisdiction we work in. Our clients hear about them before they reach a review comment.
If you have a residential project coming up reach out to us we will handle the permit process so your team can stay focused on the build.