Search the building code.

• IBC 1511.1

  General

  • General scope for Section 1511.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.2

  Penthouses

  • Penthouses meeting 1511.2.1–1511.2.4 belong to the story below; others count as a story.

  Works withIBC 1511.2.1IBC 1511.2.4

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.3

  Tanks

  • Roof tanks over 500 gallons sit on masonry, concrete, steel or heavy timber supports.

  Works withIBC 2304.11

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.4

  Cooling towers

  • Large rooftop cooling towers (over 250 sq ft or 15 ft tall, on roofs over 50 ft) are noncombustible and cover at most one-third of the roof.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.5

  Towers, spires, domes and cupolas

  • Requirements for towers, spires, domes and cupolas.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.6

  Mechanical equipment screens

  • Requirements for mechanical equipment screens.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7

  Other rooftop structures

  • Requirements for other rooftop structures; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.2IBC 1511.6IBC 1511.7.1IBC 1511.7.6

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.8

  Structural fire resistance

  • Requirements for structural fire resistance; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC Table 601

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9

  Raised-deck systems installed over a roof assembly

  • Requirements for raised-deck systems installed over a roof assembly; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.9.1IBC 1511.9.5

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.1.1

  Area limitation

  • Penthouses and enclosed rooftop structures total no more than one-third of the roof area and don't count toward height, stories or area.

  Works withIBC 503.1IBC 901.7

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.2.1

  Height above roof deck

  • Penthouses max 18 ft above the roof deck (28 ft for tanks or elevators); unlimited on Type I.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.2.2

  Use limitations

  • Penthouses only shelter equipment, tanks, elevators, stairs and shafts.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.2.3

  Weather protection

  • Requirements for weather protection.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.2.4

  Type of construction

  • Requirements for type of construction; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 602.4IBC 2304.11IBC Table 705.5

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.3.1

  Valve and drain

  • Requirements for valve and drain.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.3.2

  Location

  • Requirements for location.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.3.3

  Tank cover

  • Requirements for tank cover.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.5.1

  Noncombustible construction required

  • Requirements for noncombustible construction required; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 711

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.5.2

  Towers and spires

  • Requirements for towers and spires.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.6.1

  Height limitations

  • Equipment screens max 18 ft above the roof deck (unlimited on Type IA).

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.6.2

  Type I, II, III or IV construction

  • Requirements for type I, II, III or IV construction; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.6IBC 2303.2

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.6.3

  Type V construction

  • Requirements for type V construction; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 2303.2

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.1

  Aerial supports

  • Requirements for aerial supports.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.2

  Bulkheads

  • Requirements for bulkheads; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.2

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.3

  Dormers

  • Requirements for dormers.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.4

  Fences

  • Requirements for fences; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.6

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.5

  Flagpoles

  • Requirements for flagpoles.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.6

  Lightning protection systems

  • Requirements for lightning protection systems; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.7.6.1IBC 1511.7.6.2IBC 2703

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.1

  Installation

  • Requirements for installation; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1511.9.5IBC 1505.2

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.2

  Fire classification

  • Requirements for fire classification; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1505IBC 1511.9.2.1IBC 1511.9.2.2

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.3

  Pedestals or supports

  • Requirements for pedestals or supports.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.4

  Structural requirements

  • Requirements for structural requirements; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1504.5IBC Chapter 16

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.5

  Roof drainage

  • Requirements for roof drainage; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1502IPC

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.6

  Accessibility and egress

  • Requirements for accessibility and egress; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1512IBC Chapter 11IBC Chapter 10

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.6.1

  Installation on metal edge systems or gutters

  • Requirements for installation on metal edge systems or gutters.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.7.6.2

  Installation on roof coverings

  • Requirements for installation on roof coverings; see linked sections.

  Works withIBC 1503.2IBC 1507

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.2.1

  Fire testing of the raised deck system installed over a classified roof assembly

  • Requirements for fire testing of the raised deck system installed over a classified roof assembly.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 1511.9.2.2

  Fire testing of the raised deck system together with the roof assembly

  • Requirements for fire testing of the raised deck system together with the roof assembly.

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies and Rooftop StructuresRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

• IBC 713.12

  Enclosure at top

  • Shafts reach the roof deck, close with a rated top, or extend through the roof per 1511.

  Works withIBC 1511

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

• IBC 503.1.4

  Occupiable roofs

  • An occupiable roof may only hold an occupancy allowed by Table 504.4 on the story below; it doesn't count toward area, height or stories if rooftop structures meet 1511. Fully sprinklered buildings with roof notification may use any occupancy.

  Works withIBC 504.4IBC 1511IBC 903.3.1.1IBC 903.3.1.2IBC 907.5.2.1

  International Building Code, 2024 · Chapter 5, General Building Heights and AreasRead 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.