Updated : 04/22/2024
Overview
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices AA, AB, AC, AH, AK, AL, AM, AQ, AT, AU, and AV, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Residential Code, Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023). Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices F, J, N, and R, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Building Code Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023). Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including Appendices D, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Existing Building Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Helpful resources for Houston, Texas include the following.
Residential Building Code
Texas adopted a model state residential code but it is not in force unless adopted locally.See PLRB,
Texas Building Codes for more information on state level codes.
Houston adopted the 2021 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the model code here.
You can find information about amendments to the model code
here.
Auto Search - beta:
See Muni. Code(Houston, TX CODE OF ORDINANCES CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS)
...Houston (Ordinance No. 73-2078, adopted November 21,
1973, as amended, which is Chapter 17 of the 1968 Code of Ordinances).
6.
The Building Code of the City of Houston (Ordinance No. 71-2351, adopted December
15, 1971, as amended).
7.
The ordinances that appeared as Appendices...
Drip Edge
Drip Edge: yes
Ice Barrier
Are ice barriers required for Houston ? No
Citation: Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Residential Code, Ordinance No 2023-907
Comments:
The adoption of the residential code included an amendment stating that ice barrier underlayment is not required at the eaves.
Ground Snow Load
|
Wind Speed (mph)
|
Topographic Effects
|
Seismic Design Category
|
Damage from Weathering
|
Damage from Frost Line Depth
|
0
|
110
|
No
|
A
|
Negligable
|
6 inches
|
Damage from Termite
|
Winter Design Temp
|
Ice Barrier Underlayment Required
|
Flood Hazards
|
Air Freezing Index
|
Mean Annual Temp
|
Very Heavy
|
28
|
No
|
Reference Ch. 19 of City Code
|
(>0-1000)
|
70
|
Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Residential Code, Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023).
Government Officials
Last Name |
First Name |
Title |
E-mail |
Phone |
Note |
Savasta |
Mark |
Building Official |
Mark.Savasta@houstontx.gov |
|
|
Comments
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), including Appendices AA, AB, AC, AH, AK, AL, AM, AQ, AT, AU, and AV, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Residential Code, Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023).
Existing Buildings
Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of
construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including Appendices D, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Existing Building Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Commercial Building Code
Houston adopted the 2021 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the code
here.You can find information about amendments to the model code
here.
Auto Search - beta:
See Muni. Code(Houston, TX Municipal Code)
...Adoption not found...
Comments
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), including Appendices F, J, N, and R, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Building Code Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023).
Existing Buildings
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including Appendices D, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Existing Building Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Other Building Codes
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) with amendments. Houston, TX, 2023 Administrative Code Provisions for the National Electrical Code, Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023).
Houston, Texas, adopted the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), including Appendix G, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Houston, Texas, adopted the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), including Appendices A, B, C, I, K, L, and N, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), including Appendices CB, CD, RB, and RD, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, Ordinance No 2023-907 (2023).
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), including Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N, with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Fire Code, Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).
Houston, Texas, adopted the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), with amendments. Houston, TX, Amendments to the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Ordinance No. 2023-907 (2023).