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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 4,296 sections for San Antonio, TX, the 2024 IRC

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  • R802.4.1

    Rafter Size

    • Rafter sizes come from the span tables by species, grade, size, spacing, snow or live load and whether a ceiling is attached; spans are measured horizontally.
    • When ceiling joists or rafter ties sit higher in the attic, rafter spans shrink: to 67% at a third of the rise, 76% at a quarter, up to full span at 1/7.5 or lower.

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 8, Roof-Ceiling ConstructionRead the full text (opens UpCodes in a new tab)

  • R606.3.1

    Bed and Head Joints

    • Joints are 3/8 in, with the first bed joint 1/4 to 3/4 in; bearing walls hold bed joints within 1/8 in and head joints from -1/4 to +3/8 in.

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

  • R602.7.5

    Supports for Headers

    • Headers sit on jack studs or anchors, and exterior headers need full-height king studs: 1 to 4 per end as spans grow from 4 to 18 ft (fewer in low wind).

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

  • E3903.3

    Additional Locations

    • Hallways, stairways, garages and the outside of each grade-level egress door (not vehicle doors) get a wall-controlled lighting outlet; a bulkhead stair light may be inside within 5 ft of the bottom riser (NEC 210.70(A)(2)).

    International Residential Code, 2024 · Chapter 39, Power and Lighting DistributionRead 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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