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• IBC 104.1

  General

  • The building official enforces the code.

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• IBC 104.2

  Determination of compliance

  • The building official decides compliance and issues interpretations and policies, which must follow the code's intent and can't waive its requirements.

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• IBC 104.3

  Applications and permits

  • The building official receives applications, reviews documents, issues permits and inspects.

  Works withIBC 105IBC 107IBC 110

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• IBC 104.4

  Right of entry

  • The official may enter at reasonable times to inspect, presenting credentials or seeking the owner, and may use legal remedies if refused.

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• IBC 104.5

  Identification

  • The official carries identification when inspecting.

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• IBC 104.6

  Notices and orders

  • The official issues notices and orders; violation notices follow Section 114.

  Works withIBC 114

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• IBC 104.7

  Official records

  • Records are kept at least 5 years or for the life of the building.

  Works withIBC 104.7.1IBC 104.7.5

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• IBC 104.8

  Liability

  • The official and staff acting in good faith aren't personally liable.

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• IBC 104.9

  Approved materials and equipment

  • Approved materials and equipment are installed per their approval.

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• IBC 104.2.1

  Listed compliance

  • Listed products are listed to the named standard (or approved criteria) and installed per the listing and manufacturer's instructions, available to the official on request.

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• IBC 104.2.2

  Technical assistance

  • The building official may require the owner to provide a technical opinion and report.

  Works withIBC 104.2.2.1IBC 104.2.2.4

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• IBC 104.2.3

  Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment

  • Materials, designs and methods not prescribed by the code may be approved if not prohibited; ICC Performance Code designs are an option except for structural alternatives.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3.1IBC 104.2.3.7ICCPC

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• IBC 104.2.4

  Modifications

  • For practical difficulties the official may grant case-by-case modifications that keep the code's intent without lessening health, accessibility, life safety or structure; recorded in writing.

  Works withIBC 104.7.3

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• IBC 104.3.1

  Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings and structures in flood hazard areas

  • In flood areas the official decides whether work is substantial improvement or damage repair; if so, the building meets the flood provisions (IBC 1612 or IRC R306).

  Works withIBC 1612IRC R306

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• IBC 104.4.1

  Warrant

  • With a warrant, owners and occupants must allow entry.

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• IBC 104.7.1

  Approvals

  • A record of approvals is kept and open to the public.

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• IBC 104.7.2

  Inspections

  • Each inspection, with its findings and any notices, is recorded.

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• IBC 104.7.3

  Code alternatives and modifications

  • Alternative and modification requests and decisions are kept in writing.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3IBC 104.2.4

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• IBC 104.7.4

  Tests

  • Records of required tests are kept.

  Works withIBC 104.2.2.4IBC 104.2.3.5

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• IBC 104.7.5

  Fees

  • Fees collected and refunded are recorded.

  Works withIBC 109

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• IBC 104.8.1

  Legal defense

  • The city defends staff sued for lawful enforcement.

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• IBC 104.9.1

  Materials and equipment reuse

  • Used materials and equipment may be reused only in good condition and approved.

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• IBC 104.2.2.1

  Cost

  • Technical reports come at no cost to the city.

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• IBC 104.2.2.2

  Preparer qualifications

  • Reports are prepared by a qualified engineer, specialist, lab or agency the official accepts, and may need a registered design professional's seal.

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• IBC 104.2.2.3

  Content

  • The report analyzes the design, operation or use and recommends what's needed.

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• IBC 104.2.2.4

  Tests

  • Without enough evidence of compliance, the official may require tests by recognized standards or approved procedures, run by an accepted party.

  Works withIBC 104.7.4

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• IBC 104.2.3.1

  Approval authority

  • An alternative is approved when the official finds it satisfactory and meeting 104.2.3 to 104.2.3.7.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3

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• IBC 104.2.3.2

  Application and disposition

  • Alternatives are requested in writing, and a denial is given in writing with reasons.

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• IBC 104.2.3.3

  Compliance with code intent

  • An alternative must meet the intent of the code.

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• IBC 104.2.3.4

  Equivalency criteria

  • An alternative must equal the prescribed method in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability, safety and fire safety.

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• IBC 104.2.3.5

  Tests

  • Equivalency tests are at a scale that predicts real performance and run by an accepted party.

  Works withIBC 104.7.4

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• IBC 104.2.3.6

  Reports

  • Supporting data for alternatives follow 104.2.3.6.1 or 104.2.3.6.2.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3.6.1IBC 104.2.3.6.2

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• IBC 104.2.3.7

  Peer review

  • The official may require a peer review report from an approved reviewer.

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• IBC 104.2.4.1

  Flood hazard areas

  • Flood-area modifications need good cause, exceptional hardship, no added flood risk or cost, the minimum relief, and written notice of the insurance and safety consequences.

  Works withIBC 1612.3IBC 1612

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• IBC 104.2.3.5.1

  Fire tests

  • Fire tests for an alternative are at a scale that predicts real fire performance.

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• IBC 104.2.3.6.1

  Evaluation reports

  • Evaluation reports come from an approved agency within the official's recognition, with their criteria stated.

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• IBC 104.2.3.6.2

  Other reports

  • Other reports state their criteria and justification and are prepared by a qualified party, possibly sealed.

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• IBC 2603.9

  Special approval

  • Foam may skip the thermal barrier when approved by large-scale tests (NFPA 286, FM 4880, UL 1040, UL 1715).

  Works withIRC R303.6IBC 2603.4IBC 2603.6IBC 803.1.1.1IBC Chapter 8

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 26, PlasticRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 412.2.6

  Accessibility

  • Towers are accessible except per 1104.4.

  Works withIBC Chapter 11

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• IBC 703.2.3

  Approved alternate method

  • Other methods are allowed as alternative protection under 104.2.3.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 7, Fire and Smoke Protection FeaturesRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 716.1.1

  Alternative methods for determining fire protection ratings

  • Ratings may come from approved designs, engineering comparison or 104.2.3 alternatives.

  Works withIBC 104.2.3

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 7, Fire and Smoke Protection FeaturesRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 402.4.2.3

  Parking garages

  • Attached car garages and open garages separated by 2-hour barriers count as separate buildings; connecting walkways follow 3104.

  Works withIBC 707IBC 711IBC 705.5IBC 3104

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• IBC 1406.10.2

  Thermal barriers

  • ½ in gypsum or NFPA 275 barrier inside, unless NFPA 286/UL 1040/UL 1715 tested, or used on balconies or trim.

  Works withIBC 803.1.1.1

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 14, Exterior WallsRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1408.10.3

  Thermal barrier not required

  • Not needed if NFPA 286/UL 1040/UL 1715 tested, or used on balconies or trim.

  Works withIBC 803.1.1.1

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 14, Exterior WallsRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1404.11.1.6

  Cold weather construction

  • Per 2104 and 2512.4.

  Works withIBC 2104IBC 2512.4

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 14, Exterior WallsRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1404.11.1.7

  Hot weather construction

  • Per 2104.

  Works withIBC 2104

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 14, Exterior WallsRead 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.