Skip to content
Built4UIQ
Log inSign up free

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

Show another sample

  • R905.2.8.2

    Valleys

    • Open metal valleys are at least 24 in wide; roll-roofing valleys use 18 and 36 in plies; closed valleys use 36 in smooth roll or self-adhered lining.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 9, Roof AssembliesRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R802.8

    Lateral Support

    • Members deeper than 5 times their thickness are held against rolling at bearings (rafter plus attached joist counts together); deeper than 6 times, they get bridging every 8 ft.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 8, Roof-Ceiling ConstructionRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R802.4.1

    Rafter Size

    • Rafter sizes come from the span tables by species, grade, size, spacing, snow or live load and whether a ceiling is attached; spans are measured horizontally.
    • When ceiling joists or rafter ties sit higher in the attic, rafter spans shrink: to 67% at a third of the rise, 76% at a quarter, up to full span at 1/7.5 or lower.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 8, Roof-Ceiling ConstructionRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R1003.2

    Footings and Foundations

    • Chimney footings are concrete or solid masonry at least 12 in thick, extending 6 in beyond the wall on all sides, below frost depth on undisturbed soil or engineered fill, and at least 12 in below grade where there is no frost.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 10, Chimneys and FireplacesRead 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.

Check your plans against these codes

Start an application and get every flag with its section and fix.

Start an application