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 2012 Construction Code Package became effective on February 1, 2016. The amendments, along with the model codes, constitute the City of Houston Codes.  

Current Amendments

The Houston Amendments to the current adopted codes are listed below.

• Building:
  • 2012 IBC Houston Amendments - Print 2 (adopted Sep. 1, 2018)
  • 2012 IBC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
• Residential: 2012 IRC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
• Electrical: The 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) will become mandatory by state law effective November 1, 2020. The Houston Administrative provisions to the NEC are currently awaiting review by City Council.
• Mechanical: 2012 UMC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
• Plumbing: 2012 UPC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
• Fire Code 
  • 2012 IFC Houston Amendments (adopted Feb. 1, 2016)
  • LSB Standards - Note: the LSB Standards are currently being reviewed for update to the 2012 Houston Adopted Construction Code.adopted.
  • Draft 2018 LSB Standards - Note: Updates are to become effective on October 18, 2018.
• 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)

Past Amendments

The previous amendments are listed for reference only.

• Building: 2006 IBC Houston Amendments 
• Residential: 2006 IRC Houston Amendments 
• Mechanical: 2006 UMC Houston Amendments 
• Plumbing: 2006 UPC Houston Amendments 
• Fire: 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 offer free online access to its family of Standards
• The City of Houston offers free access to the Code of Ordinances