Building codes are a set of regulations that builders and architects must follow when constructing or renovating a building. The codes vary from state to state but typically include safety, structural stability, and energy efficiency requirements. Building codes are designed to protect the public from unsafe buildings and to ensure that all buildings are built to a certain standard.
Anyone who plans to build or renovate a building should become familiar with the building codes in their area. A good place to start is the website for the local building department or zoning board. There you will find a list of the codes that apply to your area and information on how to comply with them.
Below you will find a list of building resources and building codes by state. These codes include each state's building/dwelling, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire/life safety codes, accessibility codes, energy codes, and elevator codes. Remember that each city has its own specific building codes, so check with your city's municipal office to ensure your building plans are up-to-date.
For those looking to build a metal building kit structure, you may also be interested in our article on permits and codes for steel buildings.
Alabama (AL)
Alabama.gov: For Alabama county codes
Alaska (AK)
Alaska.gov: Fire and Life Safety Regulations, a Division of Fire and Life Safety
Arizona (AZ)
AZ.gov: The Arizona Office of Manufactured Housing (OMH) maintains safety and quality standards for all manufactured homes, factory-built buildings, and accessory structures.
Arkansas (AR)
Arkansas.gov: Arkansas Building Authority
California (CA)
CA.gov: California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) Website
Colorado (CO)
Colorado.gov: State Buildings Programs (SBP) is responsible for establishing minimum building codes for all construction by state agencies on state-owned or state lease-purchase properties or facilities.
Connecticut (CT)
CT.gov: Department of Construction Services Office of the State Building Inspector
Delaware (DE)
Delaware.gov: CHAPTER 44. BUILDING PERMITS AND CONSTRUCTION CODES
Florida (FL)
FloriaBuilding.org: Florida Codes & Permits Online
Georgia (GA)
Georgia.gov: Georgia's Construction Codes
Hawaii (HI)
Hawaii.gov: Construction Code Rules: Department of Accounting and General Services
Idaho (ID)
Idaho.gov: Idaho Division of Building Safety FAQs
Illinois (IL)
Illinois.us: Building Code / Regulations
Indiana (IN)
Indiana.gov: Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission / Code Services
Iowa (IA)
Iowa.gov: State building codes
Kansas (KS)
kcc.state.ks.us: Energy Efficiency and building codes in Kansas
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky.gov: Public Protection Cabinet: Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction
Louisiana (LA)
Louisiana.gov: Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal
Maine (ME)
Maine.gov: Bureau of Build Codes & Standards
Maryland (MD)
Maryland.gov: Find links to Building Codes and Authorities Having Jurisdiction for the state of Maryland
Massachusetts (MA)
Mass.gov: Massachusetts State Building Code
Michigan (MI)
Michigan.gov: The dedicated staff of the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) work as a team to assure that the built environment and the systems within are sound, safe, and sanitary.
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota.us: State & county code information
Mississippi (MS)
Below you will find resources for building codes for metal and steel buildings in Mississippi for cities such as Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi.
Mississippi.gov: The Official State Website of Mississippi
Missouri (MO)
Missouri.gov: Code of State Regulations
Nebraska (NE)
Nebraska.gov: NEBRASKA ENERGY CODES
Nevada (NV)
Nevada.gov: NEVADA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
New Hampshire (NH)
NN.gov: The New Hampshire State Building Code Review Board (hereafter referred to as "Board") is charged with the responsibility for reviewing and updating the New Hampshire building code.
New Jersey (NJ)
NJ.gov: The Division of Codes and Standards establishes and enforces building codes in partnership with the State's municipalities to protect the health and safety of New Jersey residents.
New Mexico (NM)
NewMexico.us: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
New York (NY)
NY.us: Division of Code Enforcement and Administration (DCEA) Website.
North Carolina (NC)
NCDOI.com: NC Building Code Council home page. This page contains menus and links to assist you with the NC Code process.
North Dakota (ND)
ND.gov: The North Dakota Division of Community Services (DCS) is assigned the responsibility of updating and amending the North Dakota State Building Code.
Ohio (OH)
Ohio.gov: Board of Building Standards
Oklahoma (OK)
OK.gov: Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission
Oregon (OR)
Oregon.gov: Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD)
Pennsylvania (PA)
PA.us: These pages provide information regarding Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). Enforcement of the UCC began in April 2004.
Rhode Island (RI)
RI.gov: State of Rhode Island: Building Code Commission
South Carolina (SC)
SC.us: South Carolina Building Codes Council
South Dakota (SD)
SD.gov: Manufactured Homes Statute 34-34A -- All residential manufactured homes (mobile homes) must comply with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
Tennessee (TN)
TN.gov: Fire Prevention Division, Residential Building Codes
Texas (TX)
TX.us: TDLR is providing information regarding license renewal, expiration and compliance to evacuees displaced by the effects of wildfires in Texas.
Utah (UT)
Utah.gov: Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
Vermont (VT)
Vermont.gov: Building and Construction Licenses and Permits
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Virginia (VA)
Virginia.gov: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
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Washington (WA)
WA.gov: SBCC is a state agency created by the legislature to provide independent analysis and objective advice to the legislature and the Governor's Office on state building code issues.
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West Virginia (WV)
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Wisconsin (WI)
WI.gov: Safety and Buildings Division Home Page
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Wyoming (WY)
WY.us: Department of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety
Other Resources for Building Codes in the USA
ICC (International Code Council)
The definitive source for all residential and commercial building codes in the United States.
American Society of Civil Engineers
Publisher of the ASCE 7-10, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. Sets the standards for which much of the IRC and IBC is based upon.
Truss Plate Institute
TPI establishes the methods of design and construction for all metal plate connected wood trusses in the United States. Publisher of the ANSI standard, ANSI/TPI 1-2014.
American Concrete Institute
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a leading authority and resource worldwide for concrete design, construction, and materials. Publisher of the concrete standard, 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary.
American Institute of Steel Construction
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is a technical institute and trade association serving the structural steel construction industry in the United States. Publisher of the Steel Construction Manual, which contains the specification for structural steel buildings (ANSI/AISC 360).
