The MN requirement for sprinklers in residences comes from the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC). Since this code is the basis for most state building codes in the US, each of those states will eventually be forced to accept the sprinkler requirement or pass legislation to amend the code if it hasn't already done so (the requirement was also in the 2009 IRC) Currently I believe only California, Maryland and DC have allowed the sprinkler requirement to become law unmodified. MN adopts the IRC after review and amendment and it has recently amended the 2012 IRC to exempt houses smaller than 4,500 s.f. Since the average size of a single family home in the US is 2,700 s.f. the rule appears to allow most single family homes in MN to be built without sprinklers. However, the building area includes all "conditioned space" so it can include conditioned lower levels and bonus rooms even if those spaces are unfinished. Even so, it seems easy enough to avoid the requirement if you really don't want sprinklers. The ICC has strongly advocated home sprinklers since 2006 when the requirement was included as an option to be adopted locally. The fight over including the requirement in the IRC has always been between home building associations (and the NHAB) and fire fighter associations (and the NFPA). A very small percentage of homeowners die in fires each year so the home buying public understandably cares more about price than sprinklers but about 45% of firefighter deaths occur in those home fires so the sprinkler code fight is basically between homebuilders and firefighters.

I believe CA requires faucets to have less lead in them. I noticed the price increases. Also, thier new electrical requirements have effected prices for items out here on the east coast (HD has discontinued some items because they don't meet CA electrical codes). From my own research - a lot of cut and paste. PLUMBING: These new laws go into effect Jan 1, 2010. SB1334, SB1395 and AB1953 which became the foundation of what is now the updated California Health and Safety Code (Section 116875-116880) in regards to lead content in water for drinking and cooking. AB-1953 Effective 1/1/10, plumbing products intended for use in potable or cooking water systems shall have less than 0.25% lead content by weighted average of the base materials of the wetted area. The bill prohibits the introduction into commerce of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting, or fixture for use in potable or cooking water systems that is not lead free as defined by the code. SB-1334 Requires that lead free plumbing products as defined in the code be certified by an ANSI accredited independent third party. Testing, at a minimum, shall include testing of materials in accordance with the protocols used by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to meet SB 1395 (below) SB-1395 Requires the DTSC to select no more than 75 products per year at random for examination and test and to post the results on its website. This law added Section 25214.4.3 to the CA code. LIGHTING: Title 24 (going green) is being phased in over many years starting in 2001. The new 2008 Title-24 Building Efficiency Standards have been adopted in California and take effect January 1, 2010. One of the most sweeping changes involve residential indoor and outdoor lighting requirements, particularly kitchen lighting and the new adoption of ASHRAE 62.2 indoor air quality code. New restrictions, control requirements, high efficacy fixture requirements and incandescent allowances, and interior lighting worksheets will add an additional layer of complexity to residential lighting design. A new WS-6R lighting certificate of compliance which must be filled out before the final certificate of occupancy will be issued. Fixtures will comply as high efficacy (not all LED fixtures are certified as high efficacy), the lighting control requirements for each room type and the new fixture and control requirements for residential outdoor lighting. Changes in Brief: Title 24 will require high efficacy luminaires, occupancy sensors, and/or dimmers in most spaces: Kitchens: At least 50% of the total wattage of kitchen lighting must be from high efficacy luminaires. Non-high efficacy luminaires must be switched separately from high efficacy luminaires. Bathrooms, utility rooms, garages and laundry rooms: High efficacy lighting or manual-on occupancy sensors required. Exterior, attached to building: High efficacy luminaires or combined photo sensors/occupancy sensors required. All other interior spaces: High efficacy luminaires, occupancy sensors, OR dimmers required. Recessed lighting: When installed in insulated ceilings, must be both Type IC (insulated covered) and airtight (AT) rated. Electronic ballasts: Electronic ballasts are required for all fluorescent luminaires 13 watts or greater.

I wish I were aware of the new law before I ordered my bathroom faucets for my kids' bath remodel. I am not in California, but I am concerned about lead in my house. If you google California AB1953 and a faucet brand name, those styles that are compliant will pop up. I already got Grohe Eurosmart. That style doesn't show up as being compliant [as of this writing], but Grohe's Veris bath faucet and tub spout are compliant.

Overstock has that lead warning on a lot of things that you would never suspect would have lead in them. Until Overstock, I never heard of lead in rugs, but I suppose it's in the dyes. So if it's true that some rugs have lead in them, though Overstock seems to be the only seller that mentions it, how can you tell if these more expensive rugs or the ones from a "reputable dealer" or especially craigslist have it or not just because they don't mention it? I don't think you can tell. I have bought several rugs from a certain eBay seller who says that some of his rugs have vegetable dyes. I don't know if this would make a difference in the lead content but I have noticed that the vegetable dyes don't bleed or run when I clean up a little pet accident.