Updated : 04/26/2024

Overview

Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Residential Building (IRC), with amendments. Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.36.010 (adoption) and § 16.36.020 (amendments). Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), with amendments § 16.04.010 (adoption) and § 16.04.020 (amendments). Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.06.010 (adoption) and § 16.06.020 (amendments).

Helpful resources for Elgin, Illinois include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Illinois

Residential Building Code

Illinois has yet to adopt a statewide residential code. Local laws will control.See PLRB, Illinois Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Elgin adopted the 2015 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:

2015 IRC(Elgin, IL 16.36.010: ADOPTED - EXCEPTIONS:)

...erk of the City of Elgin, being marked and designated as the International Residential Code 2015, as published by the International Code Council, be a...

2015 IRC(Elgin, IL 16.36.010. - Adopted; exceptions.)

...which is on file in the office of the city clerk, being marked and designated as the International Residential Code, 2015, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as and shall be known as the one (1) and two (2) family dwelling code of the city for regulating the fabrication, erection, construction, enlargement...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Elgin ? Yes
Citation: Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.36.020 (amendments).
Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/il/elgin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_TIT16BUCO_CH16.36OMIDWCO_16.36.020ADINCH
Comments:

Table R301.2(1) Climatic And Geographic Design Criteria, is amended to read as follows:

Ground snow load – lbs. per sq. ft. – 30 psf

Wind Speed – 90 mph

Topographic effects – no

Seismic condition by zone – B

Subject to damage from weathering – yes – severe

Frost line depth – 42 inches below grade

Termite – moderate to heavy

Winter design temperature – minus 10 deg F

Ice barrier underlayment required – yes

Flood hazards – February 12, 1975

Air freezing index – 1000-2000

Mean annual temp – 45-50F

Government Officials

Comments

Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Residential Building (IRC), with amendments. Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.36.010 (adoption) and § 16.36.020 (amendments).

Section R313.1 Townhouse Automatic Fire Sprinkler System, shall be amended to read as follows:
Where a townhouse is to be located upon land that was within the corporate limits of the city of Elgin as of the adoption date of this ordinance, such townhouse shall include fire sprinkler protection in the basement area only. This fire sprinkler system can be part of the domestic water system, without backflow prevention, as long as the system is a looped system with no dead-ends in excess of 2 feet.

Exceptions: 1. When wood I-joists or open web trusses are used and protected with a 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard membrane, 5/8-inch wood structural membrane, or equivalent on the underside of the floor framing member. 2. Wood floor assemblies using dimensional lumber or structural composite lumber equal to or greater than 2-inch by 10-inch nominal dimension, or other approved floor assemblies demonstrating equivalent fire protection. 3. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

In all such instances above, the general contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that the homeowner is advised of the availability and benefits of a full automatic fire sprinkler system (NFPA 13D compliant). Such notification shall be on a form provided by the city of Elgin and include the printed name and signature of the homeowner.

Where a townhouse is to be located upon land annexed to the city of Elgin after the adoption date of this ordinance, a full fire sprinkler system shall be required, installed in accordance with NFPA 13D. This system shall include backflow protection by use of a double check valve.

Section R313.2 One- And Two-Family Dwellings Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems, shall be amended to read as follows:

Where a one- and two-family dwelling is to be located upon land that was located within the city of Elgin as of the adoption date of this ordinance, such one- and two-family dwelling shall include fire sprinkler protection in the basement area only. This fire sprinkler system can be part of the domestic water system, without backflow prevention, as long as the system is a looped system with no dead-ends in excess of 2 feet.

Exceptions 1. When wood I-joists or open web trusses are used and protected with a 1/2-inch gypsum wallboard membrane, 5/8-inch wood structural membrane, or equivalent on the underside of the floor framing member. 2. Wood floor assemblies using dimensional lumber or structural composite lumber equal to or greater than 2-inch by 10-inch nominal dimension, or other approved floor assemblies demonstrating equivalent fire protection. 3. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing one- and two-family dwellings that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

In all such instances above, the general contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that the homeowner is advised of the availability and benefits of a full automatic fire sprinkler system (NFPA 13D compliant). Such notification shall be on a form provided by the city of Elgin and include the printed name and signature of the homeowner.

Where a one- and two-family dwelling is to be located upon land annexed to the city of Elgin after the adoption date of this ordinance, a full fire sprinkler system shall be required, installed in accordance with NFPA 13D. This system shall include backflow protection by use of a double check valve.

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.

Please refer to appendix J of the adopted 2015 IRC. 

Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.06.010 (adoption) and § 16.06.020 (amendments).

Commercial Building Code

Elgin adopted the 2015 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:

2015 IBC(Elgin, IL 16.04.010. - Adopted; exceptions.)

...(1) copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk, being marked and designated as the International Building Code, 2015, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as and shall be known as the building code of the city for establishing minimum regulations governing the construction, alteration, addition...

See sterling(Elgin, IL BUILDING CODE)

......

Comments

Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), with amendments § 16.04.010 (adoption) and § 16.04.020 (amendments).

Existing Buildings

Elgin, Illinois, adopted the 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. Elgin, IL, Muni. Code § 16.06.010 (adoption) and § 16.06.020 (amendments).

Other Building Codes