Section 11-106. Variances and modifications

1. Any standard or requirement
  of  the code may be varied or modified, in whole or part, with regard to
  specific construction upon application made by or on behalf of an owner,
  where strict compliance with such standard or requirement  would  entail
  practical  difficulty  or  cause any unnecessary hardship in relation to
  such  construction,  provided,  however,  that  any  such  variance   or
  modification shall provide for alternative energy conservation standards
  or  requirements  to  achieve  to the extent practicable the purposes of
  this article.
    2. An application for a variance or modification of  any  standard  or
  requirement of the code shall be made to the secretary of state.