Building Codes

See also: Code Enforcement and Regulation

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

Status of State Energy Code Adoption
The Department of Energy (DOE) provided this map to indicate which states have adopted energy efficiency codes and, if adopted, what version of the code. [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 in order to address 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, the International Green Construction Code (IGCC); and reduce energy consumption, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

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

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. Their 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]