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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: 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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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.

The City of Houston's legal finalized the 2021 codes on August 14, 2023.

The final proposed building codes were published from August 21, 2023 - September 19, 2023.

The projected date is January 1, 2024. City Council will determine the actual date.

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.

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.)

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.

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.