Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  Foley has earned a Class 2 commercial building code rating, the second-highest score nationally. The city also improved its residential rating from Class 4 to Class 3. The new grades could help some property owners save on insurance for eligible new construction. Both improvements mark a jump from the Class 4 ratings Foley previously held in both categories.

The ratings are based on data collected from May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026. The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) is a national program that evaluates the building codes communities adopt and how effectively they enforce them. Scores range from Class 1 to Class 10, with Class 1 being the highest.

Evaluators typically review building departments every five years. They assess permitting, plan reviews, inspections, staff training, certifications, continuing education, departmental responsibilities, budgets, public awareness efforts, and property values.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said he was aware of no Alabama community with a rating better than Class 2.

"So we're at the top of the heap," Hellmich said. "This is just outstanding news, and it gets back to the professionalism of our staff and what they do."

Jonathan Cottis, Foley's chief building official, presented the results to the City Council. He said Alabama cities average Class 7 for commercial construction and Class 8 for residential construction, placing Foley well ahead of those benchmarks.

"It tells us how we're doing because it grades us on how we enforce our codes, how trained our staff is," Cottis said. "That's really — it's an investment that you guys have made to the city, for us to be able to have those kinds of numbers. It's a team effort. I'm very excited."

Councilman Charles Ebert III, who owns an insurance agency, said the BCEGS classifications are among the factors insurers may consider when setting property insurance premiums. The ratings also help prospective residents and businesses assess how well a community enforces building standards designed to reduce damage from natural hazards.

Hellmich said Foley has also earned recognition for strengthening its building standards to withstand hurricanes. The city has ranked among the nation's leaders in the number of FORTIFIED homes, which are built or upgraded with features such as reinforced roofs to reduce storm damage.