Welcome to the City of Houston’s Construction Code Modernization project page! We encourage all stakeholders to participate as we prepare for the adoption of the 2021 Building Codes.
Construction codes significantly mitigate the effects of hurricanes, storm surges, and extreme weather changes. By staying current with our building codes, we can help our residents protect their homes and businesses by providing safer, more resilient construction that will support greater economic security and public safety.
There are several ways to stay current:
- Sign up to receive notifications for Code Trainings
- Sign up for the Houston Permitting Center Newsletter
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: COHPermits
Stay Informed - Get Involved
Sign Up for Trainings!
The City of Houston is offering FREE training on the newly adopted 2021 Building Codes. The codes will be effective on Monday, January 1, 2024.
To register for 2024 complementary training, please complete the registration form below. We will email you and your organization as soon as the courses become available.
Project News and Updates
While the period to submit an amendment proposal and public comments has closed, you can still stay up to date with the latest information. Sign up to receive the Houston Permitting newsletter sent directly to your email, or follow us on all social media channels.
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Code Amendments
The City began accepting amendment proposals in December of 2022 and has concluded the process as of June 2023. The final public comment period opened on August 21, 2023, and ended on September 19, 2023. Houston City Council adopted the 2021 Building Codes on October 25, 2023. The codes will go into effect on Monday, January 1, 2024.
Project Information
Community Presentations
During the past two years, the code committee has gone out into the community and shared information to educate the public better and get vital feedback to assist in completing the project.
Click the link to see various presentations given to the community.
Timeline of Project
Find more about the history of the project, the overall CCM timeline, our goals and objectives for the CCM project, as well as specific tasks and action items. Additionally, there will be information on the code adoption process, examples of the various forms and information required for code recommendations, and corresponding guidelines that will assist everyone in understanding the CCM project’s structure and outreach efforts.
Public Participation Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Select the +/- symbol to reveal or hide responses or download a copy of the frequently asked questions.
What is Houston's Code Modernization project?
The Houston Public Works mandate for this code adoption is to adopt the 2021 Code Editions as a base code with local amendments that:
- Help strengthen and ensure long-term sustainability and resiliency in Houston,
- Do not reduce the fire- or life-safety provisions without providing an equivalency to what’s found in the base code, and
- Comply with the intent of the code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety for the purpose intended.
For more information, review page 8 of the Public Participation Plan.
When will legal finalize the 2021 codes?
The City of Houston's legal finalized the 2021 codes on August 14, 2023.
When will the final proposed 2021 Building Codes be published for comment?
The final proposed building codes were published from August 21, 2023 - September 19, 2023.
When will the 2021 Building Codes be adopted?
The projected date is January 1, 2024. City Council will determine the actual date.
When will the new building codes go into effect?
The projected effective date is January 1, 2024. City Council will determine the actual date, which will be, at a minimum, a 30-day notice from the date of City Council adoption.
Which projects fall under the old codes?
Only projects submitted after the effective date of the 2021 Construction Code will need to comply with the 2021 editions of the codes. Projects can continue to be grandfathered under the 2015 Construction Code as long as an application for development was submitted before the 2021 Construction Code effective date. (See Code Word 2015-B01 for more information on “grandfathering” and the “code of record” – This will continue to be applicable after the 2021 Construction Code adoption.)
Will you offer any trainings on the 2021 Building Codes?
Yes, starting in January 2024, training sessions will be provided on “significant changes on various codes within the 2021 Building Codes”. More details will be available on the website in December.
Will training for the 2021 Building Codes be in-person or online?
Training will be held in person and /or online. The PowerPoint presentation will be available on the website after the date of the presentation. Please return to the website in December 2023 for more information.
Who do I contact for more information?
You can contact us at [email protected].