Codes

The Houston Construction Code establishes minimum standards for the construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, and demolition of buildings and other structures to protect the life safety of the public. 

The Houston Construction Code is adopted and amended by City Council. The latest revision was approved by Council on December 1, 2021, and became effective on April 1, 2022. The amendments, along with the model codes, constitute the City of Houston Codes.  

Current Amendments

Select the links below to download and view the adopted amendments. 

• Houston Construction Code Amendments Ordinance (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit A: 2015 International Building Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit B: 2020 National Electrical Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit C: 2015 International Existing Building Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit D: 2015 International Fire Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit E: 2015 Uniform Mechanical Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit F: 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit G: 2015 International Residential Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit H: 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit I: City Code Amendments (rev. 04/11/2022)
• Exhibit J: Residential Permit Fee Schedule (rev. 04/11/2022)

Residential Energy: The enforcement of Chapter 11 of the 2015 International Residential Code became mandatory by state law effective September 1, 2016

• 2015 IECC Amendments - Residential provisions (adopted Oct. 24, 2016)

Commercial Energy: The 2015 IECC-Commercial Provisions became effective November 1, 2016, per state law.

• 2015 IECC Amendments - Commercial provisions (adopted Dec. 9, 2016)
• ASHRAE 90.1-2013 Amendments (adopted Dec. 9, 2016)

Please visit the Code Development page for additional reference material and guidance.

Life Safety Bureau Standards

Select the links below to download and review the Houston Fire Department's Life Safety Bureau Standards. 

• LSB Standard 01 - Installation and Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers
• LSB Standard 02 - Inspection and Testing of Fire Protection and Life-Safety Equipment
• LSB Standard 03 - Fire Department Access
• LSB Standard 04 - Access Control Gates
• LSB Standard 05 - Key Boxes
• LSB Standard 06 - Fire Depository Boxes
• LSB Standard 07 - High-Rise Fire Safety Plans
• LSB Standard 08 - Fire Drills
• LSB Standard 09 - Marking of Fire Hydrants
• LSB Standard 10 - LP Gas and Open Flame Use
• LSB Standard 11 - Roofing Operations
• LSB Standard 12 - Fireworks Display
• LSB Standard 13 - Outside Protected Aboveground Tanks
• LSB Standard 14 - Unattended Service Stations
• LSB Standard 15 - Mobile Refueling Wet Hosing
• LSB Standard 16 - Open Burning and Recreational Fires
• LSB Standard 17 - Tire Chipping and Shredding Operations
• LSB Standard 18 - High-Rise Fire Safety Plan Approval
• LSB Standard 19 - Raw Wood Waste Processing/Recycling, Storage and Operations
• LSB Standard 22 - Tents and Other Membrane Structures
• LSB Standard 23 - Mid-Rise Atrium Fire Safety Plan Approval
• LSB Standard 24 - Mid-Rise Atrium Fire Safety Plans
• LSB Standard 25 - Safety Inspections for Vehicles on Indoor Display

Past Amendments

The previous amendments are listed for reference only.

• Building: 
  • 2012 IBC Houston Amendments - Print 2 (adopted Sep. 1, 2018)
  • 2012 IBC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • 2006 IBC Houston Amendments 
• Residential: 
  • 2012 IRC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • 2006 IRC Houston Amendments 
• Mechanical: 
  • 2012 UMC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • 2006 UMC Houston Amendments 
• Plumbing: 
  • 2012 UPC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • 2006 UPC Houston Amendments 
• Fire: 
  • 2012 IFC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • LSB Standards - Note: the LSB Standards are currently being reviewed for updates to the 2012 Houston Adopted Construction Code.
  • Draft 2018 LSB Standards - Note: Updates are to become effective on October 18, 2018.
  • 2006 IFC Houston Amendments 
• Electrical: 
  • 2014 NEC Houston Amendments 
  • 2011 NEC Houston Amendments 
• Residential Energy: 
  • Amendments to the 2009 IECC 
• Commercial Energy: 
  • 2009 IECC Houston Amendments (adopted Sep. 2, 2011)
  • Errata 2009 IECC Houston Amendments 
  • ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Houston Amendments (adopted Sep. 2, 2011)

Model Codes

The City of Houston does not have the model codes available. They can be purchased through their respective publisher or viewed online by using the following web links:

• The International Code Council offers free and paid access to its family of International codes:
  • International Building Code (IBC) 
  • International Residential Code (IRC) 
  • International Fire Code (IFC)
  • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• The National Fire Protection Association offers free and paid access to its family of codes and standards:
  • National Electrical Code (NEC) 
• The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials offers free and paid access to its family of Uniform codes: 
  • Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)
  • Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
  • Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code
  • Uniform Solar, Hydronics, and Geothermal Code
• The American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers offers free and paid access to its family of standards and guidelines:
  • Read-only versions of Standards
  • Purchase from ASHRAE Bookstore
• The American Society for Testing and Materials offers free online access to its family of Standards
• The City of Houston offers free access to the Code of Ordinances