Skip to content

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
  • R325.2

    Bathrooms

    • Bathrooms have at least 3 sq ft of window, half of it openable, unless they have artificial light and an exhaust fan to outdoors.

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

  • R607.8

    Mortar

    • Glass block is laid in Type S or N mortar used within 1-1/2 hours, with W1.7 joint reinforcement at 16 in (lapped 6 in) and 1/4 in joints.

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

  • R603.6

    Headers

    • Every exterior and bearing opening gets a box-beam or back-to-back steel header sized from the tables, or one per AISI S230/S240.

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

  • R905.1.1

    Underlayment

    • Shingle, tile, metal, slate, wood and solar roofs get labelled underlayment; in normal-wind areas felt, synthetic or self-adhered types qualify, while wind-design areas need the heavier types.
    • Under shingles, 2:12 to 4:12 roofs get two layers (a half-sheet starter, then sheets lapped half plus 2 in); 4:12 and steeper get one layer lapped 2 in; end laps are 4 in, staggered 6 ft.
    • In wind-design areas, use two fastened layers, 4 in self-adhered strips over deck joints plus underlayment, or full self-adhered; cap nails go in a 12 in grid with 6 in at laps.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 9, Roof AssembliesRead 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