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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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  • 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)

  • R302.2.6

    Structural Independence

    • Each townhouse unit stands on its own structurally, apart from shared foundations, sheathing, coverings, flashing, rated common walls or sprinklered units.

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

  • R301.2.2.10

    Seismic Restraint of Appliances and Equipment

    • Fixed appliances in SDC D (and townhouses in C) are braced or anchored, unless they are light, low or squat enough to be exempt.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 3, Building PlanningRead 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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