Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), including appendices A, B, C, E, G, H, J, M, Q, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments). Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), including appendices B, C, E, F, H, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments). Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including appendix C, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments).

Helpful resources for Mobile County, Alabama include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Alabama

Residential Building Code

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

Mobile County 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.

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Alabama Energy and Residential Code (2015 IRC)(Mobile, AL Sec. 28-51. - Code and appendices.)

...the 2021 Edition of the International Residential Code and Appendices, along with the amendments to the same contained in this ordinance, which has been on file in the office of the city clerk, pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the city council on November 8, 2022, is hereby adopted as the "Residential Building Code of the City of Mobile."...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Mobile County ? No
Citation: Part D
Municipal Code https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf#page=2
Comments:

Risk Category shall not be less than that indicated by IBC Table 1604.5. 

One and Two family dwellings shall be not less than Risk Category II. 

Structures that exceed 1000 square feet under roof shall not be less than Risk Category II. 

Design Wind Speed: Refer to ASCE  7-16 Chapter 26 or the interactive Wind Speed map at https://Hazards.atcouncil.org/  or use the following minimum design wind speeds:  

Risk Category Category I: Ultimate Wind Speed = 148 mph  

Risk Category Category II: Ultimate Wind Speed = 160 mph  

Risk Category Category III and IV: Ultimate Wind Speed = 174 mph 

Topographic Effects: Varies – refer to ASCE 7-16 and use site specific analysis  

Seismic Design Category: A 

Minimum Depth of Footing: 12 Inches below grade 

Weathering Potential: Negligible 

Termite Infestation: Very Heavy 

Mean Annual Temperature: 67 Degrees Fahrenheit 

Air Freezing Index: 50 or less 

Winter Design Temperature:  29 Degrees Fahrenheit 

Ground Snow Load: 0 psf 

Ice Barrier Underlayment: Not Required 

FIRM Date: December 31, 1974 

Effective Date of Flood Insurance Rate Map: March 17, 2010 and as revised thereafter 

Part G S3 – The county requires a sealed roof deck.

Government Officials

Comments

Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), including appendices A, B, C, E, G, H, J, M, Q, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments).

Delete Section R313 (Residential Fire Sprinklers) in its entirety. 

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors  

Chapter 3: Building Planning shall be amended as follows: 

 

Change Section 314 Smoke Alarms to read as follows:  

R314.2.2 Delete exception 2  

 

Change Section 315 Carbon Monoxide Alarms to read as follows:  

R315.2.2 Delete exception 2 

R315.5    Delete exception 

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.

Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including appendix C, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments).

Commercial Building Code

Mobile County 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.

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See Muni. Code(Mobile, AL Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), including appendices B, C, E, F, H, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments). 

Existing Buildings

Mobile County, Alabama, adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), including appendix C, with amendments. "Mobile County Building Code Adoption and Amendments" Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.mobilecountyal.gov/uploads/2018IBC-IRCamendedwith2015IECC-Exibit1.pdf (adoption and amendments). 

Other Building Codes