Alabama building code

Codes in force in Alabama

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further⁴

Applies to

Enforced by local jurisdictions with residential permitting and inspection programs; local codes in effect on Jan 1, 2027 are not superseded⁴

Local amendments allowed?

The local building code may amend the standards as local conditions require, but no such adoption or amendment shall exceed the provisions of the Alabama Residential Energy Code unless local conditions or compliance with any federal mandate requires such adoption.⁴

Amendments

Ala. Admin. Code ch. 465-X-10¹

Transition period

January 1, 2027⁴

Energy code, residential: Alabama Residential Building Code

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed⁴

Applies to

Enforced by local jurisdictions that have adopted energy code provisions⁴

Local amendments allowed?

The local building code may amend the standards as local conditions require, but no such adoption or amendment shall exceed the provisions of the Alabama Residential Energy Code unless local conditions or compliance with any federal mandate requires such adoption.⁴

Amendments

Ala. Admin. Code ch. 465-X-10¹

Transition period

January 1, 2027⁴

Energy code, residential: 2015 IECC with state amendments

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IECC, as amended¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

State buildings only⁵

Applies to

State Building Code jurisdiction only; not residential³

How Alabama adopts building codes

Ala. Code §§ 34-14A-12, 34-14A-12.1, 34-14A-82; §§ 34-8-50 to 34-8-55; § 41-9-166; § 11-45-8(c); Ala. Admin. Code chs. 465-X-10, 355-12-1

• Home Builders Licensure Board adopts residential building and energy codes. The board shall have the sole authority to adopt the following codes…⁴
• Residential code applies to chapter-governed work. The Alabama Residential Building Code, which shall apply to all construction and improvements governed by this chapter.⁴
• Enforced by local jurisdictions with residential permitting and inspection programs. The Alabama Residential Building Code shall be enforced by local jurisdictions that have permitting and inspection programs for residential construction and improvements that are adhered to by residential home builders.⁴
• Existing local codes not superseded. The Alabama Residential Building Code shall not supersede any local residential building code adopted by any county or municipality in effect on January 1, 2027.⁴
• Later local codes must meet state minimum. A local building code adopted by any county or municipality after January 1, 2027, shall meet the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential Building Code and the Alabama Residential Energy Code in effect at the time of the local building code adoption.⁴
• Local may exceed building code. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the power of any county or municipality to adopt and enforce local building laws or codes that either comply with or exceed the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential Building Code; provided the local laws or codes are adopted or amended in accordance with this chapter.⁴
• Effective January 1, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2027, a residential home builder within this state who constructs, renovates, or repairs a residence or structure shall do so in accordance with the applicable residential building code adopted pursuant to Section 34-14A-12 or, if applicable, the local jurisdiction’s residential building code.⁴
• 2024 IRC and 2024 IECC, as amended. The Alabama Residential Building Code (hereinafter the “ARBC”) shall consist of the 2024 International Residential Code, (hereinafter the “IRC”), the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, (hereinafter the “IECC”) with amendments, deletions, and modifications as adopted for application and enforcement in the state of Alabama, inclusive of provisions from the Coastal Construction Code Supplement, the Inland Construction Code Supplement for sealed roof deck and construction, as well as other source standards for related energy efficiency pertaining to residential construction.¹
• Effective December 14, 2026. History: New Rule: Published ______October 30, 2026; effective ______December 14, 2026.¹
• Listed as certified. Certified New Rule with Changes Public Notice appeared in Volume XLIV, Issue No. 11 AAM, dated August 31, 2026. Chapter 465-X-10 Alabama Residential Building Code…⁶
• Council proposes; board adopts or rejects. The board may adopt or reject the code as proposed by the council.⁴
• County codes by resolution. A county commission, by resolution, may adopt building laws and codes that shall apply in the unincorporated areas of the county.⁴
• County code effective 120 days after resolution. A local building law or code adopted pursuant to this subsection may not take effect until 120 days after the resolution was adopted; provided, in the case of an insurance claim requiring work and activities for which a license is required by this chapter, the effective date for the building law or code shall be the date of adoption by the local jurisdiction.⁴
• Municipalities may adopt model code by ordinance. Any municipality in the State of Alabama may adopt any model building code published by the Southern Building Code Congress International and the National Electrical Code published by the National Fire Protection Association as a municipal ordinance, enlarging the applicability thereof to include private buildings and structures other than private schoolhouses, hotels, public and private hospitals, and moving picture houses as it deems necessary and to prescribe penalties for violations thereof in the same manner in which other ordinances and related penalty provisions are adopted and prescribed.⁴
• Municipal adoption by reference. Ordinances may adopt by reference thereto, without setting the same out at length in the ordinance, rules, and regulations which have been printed as a code in book or pamphlet form for any of the following…⁴
• Police-jurisdiction construction regulation continues for existing municipal programs. …a municipality enforcing ordinances regulating the construction of buildings in the area of its police jurisdiction outside the corporate limits on January 1, 2021, including the issuance of building permits, inspection of construction, and enforcement of building codes, may continue to adopt and enforce ordinances regulating the construction of buildings within the area of its police jurisdiction outside the corporate limits.⁴
• State Building Code limited scope. Except as stated in paragraphs (2) and (3), the State Building Code applies only to the following construction in Alabama…⁵
• DCM has no residential jurisdiction. DCM does not have jurisdiction over residential property or commercial property except for hotels/motels and movie theaters.³
• Commercial energy code proposal deadline. By December 31, 2025, the committee shall submit to the board for adoption the proposed Alabama Commercial Energy Code.⁴

Applies to

All residential construction, or if applicable a local jurisdiction's residential building code, beginning Jan 1, 2027¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes building code; energy code limited⁴

What local governments may change

Ala. Code §§ 34-14A-12.2, 34-8-7(a)(3), 34-14A-12(b)(2)

• No mandate or restriction on residential sprinklers. Beginning on October 1, 2024, the Home Builders Licensure Board and any other state, municipal, or county governing body may not adopt or amend a building code, ordinance, resolution, or rule that would restrict a consumer’s ability to elect to install, by the consumer’s choice and for a fee, or require the installation of, a residential fire sprinkler system in any residence or structure as defined by this chapter.⁴
• Local energy provisions capped. Provisions adopted by local jurisdictions may not exceed those contained within the Alabama Residential Energy Code.⁴
• Municipalities cannot restrict own-property general contractor exemption. A municipal governing body or municipal regulatory body may not enact any ordinance or law restricting or altering this exemption.⁴

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Alabama building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.