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Search the building code.

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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  • R403.3.1

    Foundations Adjoining Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

    • Foundations next to a frost-protected shallow foundation still need their own frost protection.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 4, FoundationsRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R403.1.3.2

    Masonry Stem Walls With Concrete Footings

    • Masonry stem walls in SDC D get the same dowels and bars, and are solidly grouted.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 4, FoundationsRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R702.3.5

    Application

    • Drywall edges land on framing (except edges across it), and interior drywall never goes where weather or water hits it directly.
    • Without adhesive, drywall nails go 7 in apart on ceilings and 8 in on walls, screws 12 in (16 in on 16 in walls); framing is 16 in for 3/8 in board and up to 24 in for 1/2 and 5/8 in.
    • 5/8 in Type X on a garage ceiling under living space runs across 24 in framing with fasteners at 6 in.
    • With adhesive, fastener spacing opens to 12-16 in on ceilings and 16-24 in on walls; two-layer 3/8 in work nails the base ply and glues the face.
    • Ceilings getting water-based texture use 1/2 in board on 16 in framing or 5/8 in (or sag-resistant 1/2 in) on 24 in, laid across the joists; 3/8 in can't hold insulation or texture.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 7, Wall CoveringRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R806.5

    Unvented Attic and Unvented Enclosed Rafter Assemblies

    • Unvented attics are allowed inside the thermal envelope with no Class I retarder on the ceiling, using spray foam against the deck, rigid foam above it, or a combination meeting the condensation R-value.
    • Condensation-control insulation for unvented attics is R-5 in zones 1-3 (none for tile roofs in 2B/3B), rising to R-10 (4C), R-15 (4A/B), R-20, R-25, R-30 and R-35 in zones 5-8.
    • In zones 1-3, unvented attics with fluffy insulation can use a vapor diffusion port near the ridge (1/600 of ceiling area, 20+ perms) on a 3:12 or steeper roof, with supply air of 50 cfm per 1,000 sq ft if insulation is at the deck.

    Local review: San Antonio (2A) unvented attics need at least R-5 of spray foam or rigid board at the roof deck, or a vapor diffusion port setup.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 8, Roof-Ceiling 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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