Building Codes


See also: Code Enforcement and Regulation

Codes Supporting Healthy Homes
Examples of state and local codes and incentives to promote healthy homes; also includes examples of regulations to address code violations [pdf; Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance, 2012]

Status of State Energy Code Adoption
Map provided by Department of Energy (DOE) which indicates which states have adopted energy efficiency codes and what version of the code if adopted. [url; DOE]

Find State and Local Housing Codes
Building codes establish the minimum criteria acceptable for housing construction, renovation, and maintenance. [url; NCHH]
International Code Council (ICC) 
Many states and jurisdictions adopt international code(s) (I-Codes) from the family of codes created by the ICC and supplement them with additional codes and standards designed to meet local priorities. Although I-Codes are updated every three years, not all states and local jurisdictions have a mechanism in place to automatically update their local codes to the most updated version. [url; ICC]

Learn more about I-Codes specifically designed to promote healthier, environmentally friendly buildings: International Green Construction Code (IGCC) and reduce energy consumption: International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  

I-Code Adoption
Scroll down and click your state on the map to learn what I-Codes (including version) have been adopted by your State and, as available, your jurisdiction.

Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
BCAP provides a huge cache of resources related to residential (and commercial) energy and building codes useful to policy makers, housing, health and energy efficiency professionals, and the public. Resources include a listing of state energy codes, concerns about existing codes, code enforcement, policy tool kits, guidance on building codes to meet local needs, and much more. [url; B-Cap Energy]

ICF Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness of Residential Energy Codes
[pdf; B-Cap Energy,  2015]