That could be it; I'm just suspicious that it's government driven because of the kind of things our local planners day. They want total control over local land-use, and are very concerned that some areas aren't regulated, and people might go there instead. Those planners are people who are deeply involved in the American Planning Association, who lobbies federal organizations for things that would 'level the playing field' by getting all the country under the same regulatory system so it would be easier to administer.
Anyone who wishes to ignore these restrictions should be permitted to do so, but under one condition: they must first sign a waiver that essentially tells the local fire department never to respond to calls at their address. There you have it -- total freedom and liberty, and no hassle from "Big Brother."
People don't seem to understand that their freedom isn't being taken away by these fire codes. Their freedom was already taken away when they created fire departments, 911 systems, etc.