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Every 2024 IRC section and the IBC as it loads, by number or topic, plus the local rules for your city. Free to search.

Detached houses, duplexes and townhouses up to 3 stories with their own exits use the IRC; every other building uses the IBC (IBC 101.2).

A random sample from 1,598 sections for San Antonio, TX, the 2024 IRC

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  • R602.3.2

    Top Plate

    • Wood walls get a double top plate, lapped at corners and bearing walls, with joints offset at least 24 in and plates at least as wide as the studs.
    • A single top plate is allowed if joints are tied with steel plates and nails per the table and rafters or joists land within 1 in of the studs.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 6, Wall ConstructionRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R302.14

    Combustible Insulation Clearance

    • Keep combustible insulation at least 3 in from recessed lights, fan motors and other heat sources unless the listing allows less.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 3, Building PlanningRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R302.9.4

    Alternative Test Method

    • Room-corner testing is an alternative: no flame to the ceiling at 40 kW, no flashover, peak heat release up to 800 kW, total smoke up to 1,000 m2.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 3, Building PlanningRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R606.6.4

    Lateral Support

    • Masonry walls are braced at intervals no more than 20 (solid bearing), 18 (other bearing and exterior nonbearing) or 36 (interior nonbearing) times their thickness.
    • Intersecting masonry walls interlock half the units with 3 in bearing, or tie with 9-gauge joint reinforcement at 8 in (16 in for interior nonbearing) running 30 in each way.
    • In SDC A-C, masonry walls tie to roofs and floors with straps or 1/2 in bolts at 6 ft, embedded 16 in or hooked to a bond beam 6 in below the top.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 6, Wall ConstructionRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

Searches all 4,276 IRC 2024 sections, 5,532 IBC 2024 sections and defined terms (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 so far) and each city's local rules as they are added. Section numbers and titles from the International Residential Code and International Building Code, 2024 editions, copyrighted by the International Code Council; the IRC's electrical chapters (34 to 43) follow NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. Requirements are summarized in our words (IRC Chapters 3 to 43, IBC Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33); read the full text at the link on each result. Local values come from each city's published documents.

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