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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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  • 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)

  • R602.3.2

    Top Plate

    • Wood walls get a double top plate, lapped at corners and bearing walls, with joints offset at least 24 in and plates at least as wide as the studs.
    • A single top plate is allowed if joints are tied with steel plates and nails per the table and rafters or joists land within 1 in of the studs.

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

  • R405.1.1

    Precast Concrete Foundation

    • Precast walls on crushed stone get a perforated drain below the wall base, at least 1 ft from the wall, to a sewer or daylight.

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

  • R404.2.2

    Stud Size

    • Wood foundation studs are 2x6, with an Fb of at least 1,250 psi at 16 in or 875 psi at 12 in, and lumber carries an accredited grade mark.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 4, FoundationsRead 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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