Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Iowa City, IA has adopted the 2018 International Codes, with amendments, including the 2018 IRC and IBC. Iowa City, IA Muni Codes § 17-1-1 (adoptions) and $ 17-1-3 (amendments).

Helpful resources for Iowa City, Iowa include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Iowa

Residential Building Code

Iowa adopted a model state residential code but it is not in force unless adopted locally.See PLRB, Iowa Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Iowa City adopted the 2018 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 with Iowa amendments(Iowa City, IA 17-1-1: CODES ADOPTED:)

...ing appendix K, Electrical Administrative Process, and 2018 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) including appendix F, Radon Control Me...

2015 IRC with Iowa amendments(Iowa City, IA 7-1-1: FIRE CODE ADOPTED:)

...7-1-1: FIRE CODE ADOPTED: That a certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Iowa City, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, including errata and Appendix Chapters B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and N as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of Iowa City, in the State of Iowa regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided, providing for the issuance of permits and each, and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the City Clerk are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, prescribed in the following sections of this chapter....

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Iowa City ? Yes
Citation: § 17-1-3
Municipal Code https://sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=953&chapter_id=76602#s1319670
Comments:

Table R301.2(1) of the IRC Modify by inserting data in the table as follows:
 

Ground Snow Load	Wind Design		Seismic Design Category	Subject To Damage From
	Speed (mph)	Topographic Effects, Special Wind Region, Or Wind-Borne Debris Zone		Weathering	Frost Line Depth	Termite
25	115	No	A	Severe	42"	Moderate Heavy

Winter Design Temp	Ice-Barrier Underlayment Required	Flood Hazards		Air Freezing Index	Mean Annual Temp
		NFIP	FIRM Maps
-5°F	Yes	5/22/1977	2/16/2007	2000	50°F

Comments

Iowa City, IA has adopted the 2018 IRC including appendices F and J. Iowa City, IA Muni. Code § 17-1-1.

Section R313 of the IRC: Delete Section R313 of the IRC entirely. Iowa City, IA Muni. Code § 17-1-3.

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.

Iowa City, IA has adopted the 2018 IRC including appendix J. Iowa City, IA Muni. Code § 17-1-1.

Commercial Building Code

Iowa City adopted the 2018 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 with Iowa amendments(Iowa City, IA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

2015 IBC with Iowa amendments(Iowa City, IA 17-1-2: INTERPRETATION OF BUILDING CODE PROVISIONS:)

...17-1-2: INTERPRETATION OF Building Code PROVISIONS:The provisions of this Code shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the protecti...

Comments

Iowa City, IA has adopted the 2018 IBC including appendix K. Iowa City, IA Muni. Code § 17-1-1.

Existing Buildings

Iowa City, IA did not adopt the IEBC, therefore Chapter 34 of the IBC would apply.

Other Building Codes