This page is a general reference, not a determination of what applies to any specific project or jurisdiction. Code adoption varies by state, county and city, and by edition and local amendment. Use the adoption-lookup tools at the bottom of this page to confirm the codes in force where a building sits.
International Code Council (ICC) — the I-Codes
The most widely adopted building regulations in the United States. All 50 states have adopted some portion of the ICC code family.
| Code | Covers | Reference |
|---|---|---|
IBC International Building Code | Commercial and multi-family building design and construction. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IRC International Residential Code | One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IFC International Fire Code | Fire prevention, fire protection systems, hazardous materials and emergency access. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IEBC International Existing Building Code | Renovation, alteration and reuse of existing buildings. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IECC International Energy Conservation Code | Energy-efficiency requirements for buildings. | iccsafe.org |
IMC International Mechanical Code | HVAC and mechanical system requirements. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IPC International Plumbing Code | Plumbing system design and installation. | codes.iccsafe.org |
IFGC International Fuel Gas Code | Fuel gas piping and appliance installations. | codes.iccsafe.org |
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Many jurisdictions adopt NFPA standards directly, or by reference within their building and fire codes.
| Standard | Covers |
|---|---|
NFPA 70 | National Electrical Code |
NFPA 101 | Life Safety Code |
NFPA 13 | Installation of sprinkler systems |
NFPA 72 | Fire alarm and signaling code |
NFPA 855 | Energy storage systems |
Structural & materials standards
Referenced by nearly every adopted building code for structural design, testing and materials.
| Publisher | Key standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| ASCE — American Society of Civil Engineers | ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures | asce.org |
| ASTM International | E119 Fire tests · C94 Ready-mix concrete · A36 Structural steel | astm.org |
| ACI — American Concrete Institute | ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete · ACI 301 Specifications for Structural Concrete | concrete.org |
| AISC — American Institute of Steel Construction | ANSI/AISC 360 · AISC Steel Construction Manual | aisc.org |
| AWC — American Wood Council | National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction · SDPWS (Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic) | awc.org |
Accessibility standards
Commonly adopted by state and local governments alongside the building code.
| Standard | Reference |
|---|---|
| 2021 / 2024 IBC Accessibility Provisions | codes.iccsafe.org |
| ADA Standards for Accessible Design | ada.gov |
Confirm what's adopted in a specific jurisdiction
Code adoption is decided state by state and often amended locally. Use these tools to check what actually applies before relying on this page for a specific address.
| Tool | Reference |
|---|---|
| ICC Code Adoption Resources | iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-resources |
| ICC State Adoption Map | iccsafe.org/advocacy/adoptions-map |