Free Building Codes Online

State to State Adoption

Each state adopts codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) or the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). These provide the basis for a jurisdiction’s construction codes.

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Each jurisdiction (state, county, or city) typically modifies the construction codes. Make sure to refer to the governing body to determine how the code is modified. 

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Where applicable, UpCodes integrates local amendments into the codes of jurisdictions that are available on UpCodes' website, including for jurisdictions that do not usually provide access to integrated codes, like Pennsylvania and New York State.

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Find code adoptions by state here.

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International Codes (I-Codes)

Every three years the ICC works to publish a new set of construction codes (I-Codes) that can be adopted and modified by each state or local jurisdiction.

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The construction codes for each jurisdiction will be selected from this set of publications. Most states follow a three-year code adoption cycle in order to keep up-to-date with the ICC revision process. UpCodes publishes the codes as adopted by each applicable state or local jurisdiction.

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International Building Code

International Residential Code

International Fire Code

International Existing Building Code

International Energy Conservation Code

International Mechanical Code

International Plumbing Code

International Fuel Gas Code

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Uniform Codes (IAPMO Codes)

Every several years IAPMO works to publish a new set of uniform codes (IAPMO) that can be adopted and modified by each state or local jurisdiction.

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The construction codes for each jurisdiction will be selected from this set of publications for mechanical and plumbing codes. Most states follow a similar code adoption cycle in order to keep up-to-date with the IAPMO revision process. UpCodes publishes the codes as adopted by each applicable state or local jurisdiction.

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Uniform Mechanical Code

Uniform Plumbing Code

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Fire Protection Codes / Life Safety

The I-Codes or IAPMO codes may indicate that your project is required to have fire protection or life safety systems throughout the building. The I-Codes or IAPMO codes do not indicate exactly how those systems must be designed. However, the I-Codes or IAPMO codes adopt National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical standards that provide detailed guidance on the installation, design, and maintenance of those required fire and life safety systems.

For example, the I-Codes adopt NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, which provides the requirements on sprinkler head spacing, sprinkler type, location, etc. This is also typical to other fire protection and life safety systems such as fire alarm, fire pump, and emergency/standby power. UpCodes publishes the codes as adopted by each applicable state or local jurisdiction.

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NFPA 1: Fire Code

NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code

NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

NFPA 101: Life Safety Code

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Accessibility Compliance

Every new building, and even existing buildings, must be designed to accommodate people with disabilities. The most common requirements are defined in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 2015 ABA Accessibility Standards, and ICC ANSI A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.

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The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design is broken down into two applicable sections, Title II and Title III. Title II is applicable to State and Local Government Facilities, while Title III is applicable to Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities.

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It should also be noted that if the project facility is federally funded or a federal facility, the application of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) should be researched and determined for application.

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The ICC/ANSI A117.1 document is applicable to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements required to be accessible and is published by the ICC. Not all jurisdictions adopt ICC/ANSI A117.1 and some jurisdictions write their own accessibility code (e.g., Florida). Therefore, it is important to determine the application of each document based on the project scope and location.

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Healthcare and Medical Facilities

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid participating facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, surgical centers, and hospices must comply with the federal requirements adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

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CMS has adopted both NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code (LSC) and NFPA 99 - Health Care Facilities Code (HCFC) for fire and life safety requirements. 

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The LSC and the HCFC are not applicable where CMS finds that a state has in effect a fire and safety code imposed by state law that provides equivalent or more stringent protections for healthcare facilities. 

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FGI Hospital and Outpatient

The Facilities Guideline Institute (FGI) publishes comprehensive recommendations for the design and construction of hospitals and outpatient facilities, with a focus on promoting patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care. FGI guidelines are often adopted into regulatory requirements, such as those required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the United States. 

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FGI Residential

FGI also publishes guidelines for the design and construction of various residential facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. These guidelines cover aspects such as space requirements, safety considerations, accessibility, infection control, and environmental sustainability. FGI guidelines are often adopted into regulatory requirements, such as those required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the United States.