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

  • R608.7

    Solid Walls for Resistance to Lateral Forces

    • Each exterior concrete wall line has enough solid full-height wall for wind (from tables, with reduction factors), in segments of 24 in or more, openings no wider than 18 ft, and a segment within 6 ft of each corner.

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

  • R702.7

    Vapor Retarders

    • Vapor retarders are Class I (0.1 perm or less, like poly), Class II (0.1-1.0, kraft or VR paint) or Class III (1.0-10, latex paint).
    • Zones 1-2 allow only Class III vapor retarders (none is required); zones 3-4 allow II or III; colder zones allow I, II, or III with the right cladding or exterior insulation.
    • Where exterior foam lets you use a lighter retarder, the needed R-value rises with climate zone and wall depth (e.g. zone 5: R-5 over 2x4, R-7.5 over 2x6 for Class III).

    Local review: San Antonio is climate zone 2A: don't put poly or other Class I/II vapor retarders on the inside of exterior walls.

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

  • R804.3.1

    Ceiling Joists

    • Steel ceiling joists are sized from the span tables by bracing, bear 1-1/2 in, are screwed to rafters per the heel table, and continuous joists need supports within 24 in of midspan; occupied attics follow the floor rules.
    • Steel ceiling joist bottoms are braced by gypsum or 1-1/2 in straps at 4 ft; tops by 33-mil members or straps per the tables, with blocking every 12 ft; splices only over bearings.

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

  • R602.5

    Interior Nonbearing Walls

    • Interior nonbearing walls may use 2x3 at 24 in, or flat 2x4 at 16 in if not bracing, with at least a single top plate.

    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.

Check your plans against these codes

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

Start an application