Guam - Building Energy Code

Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

On February 1, 2014, the Guam Tropical Energy Code was adopted as part of the Guam Building Code. The purpose of the new code is to provide minimum design requirements in order to achieve energy efficiency in all new buildings and renovations.

The Uniform Building Code (UBC) was adopted with provisions that allow the Guam Department of Public Works to administer the latest edition of the code. Buildings under construction must comply with major safety issues, if practical. When the UBC is updated, the Guam Department of Public Works must notify all affected parties to comply with the updated version. Guam amendments to the UBC must be published.

The Guam Department of Public Works enforces the UBC for private and public buildings. Engineers and architects conduct all plan reviews. Trained and experienced building inspectors conduct field inspections. Appeals to Department of Public Works decisions are heard by the Contractors Licensing Board. Other appeals (not on Department of Public Works decisions) are heard by the Territorial Planning Commission.