District of Columbia building code

Codes in force in District of Columbia

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

Adopted by: Mayor of the District of Columbia, by rulemaking subject to Council review; authority delegated to the DOB Director by Mayor's Order 2026-022³.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

State code

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Applies to

All buildings, structures and premises in the District; detached 1- and 2-family dwellings not more than 3 stories and their accessory structures are also expressly covered⁴

Amendments

Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Construction Codes Supplement of 2017)¹

How District of Columbia adopts building codes

D.C. Code §§ 6-1401 to 6-1409; 12-A DCMR § 101

• 2017 DC Construction Codes are based on the 2015 ICC codes, 2014 NEC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013. The 2017 DC Construction Codes consist of the 2015 International Code Council (ICC) family of model codes, the 2014 National Electrical Code, and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, as amended by the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 12, Sections A through M.²
• Title 12 DCMR controls over the integrated codes. Title 12 DCMR should be used to confirm the official text of the 2017 District of Columbia Construction Codes.²
• Mayor of the District of Columbia, by rulemaking subject to Council review; authority delegated to the DOB Director by Mayor's Order 2026-022. The Mayor may issue rules to amend the Construction Codes and to adopt new supplements and editions of the Model Codes in whole or in part pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2.³
• Proposed rules get a 45-day Council review. Proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess.³
• Council approval by the § 6-1409 procedure. The Council approves the Construction Codes pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 6-1409.⁵
• Mayor's Order 2026-022 delegated code authority to the DOB Director. Mayor's Order 2026-022: Delegation- Authority to the Director of the Department of Buildings to amend the Construction Codes and to adopt new supplements and editions of the Model Codes, dated February 11, 2026…⁶
• Code update under way; not yet adopted. The code update process will incorporate newer editions of the International Code Council (ICC) model codes and revise District-specific supplements across all 12 construction code categories.⁷
• DOB estimate: final codes published late 2027. Late 2027: Publish final codes…⁸
• Building Code Official is the DOB Director or designee. "Building Code Official" means the Director of the Department of Buildings, or the Director’s designee.⁹

Applies to

Matters concerning the construction, reconstruction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, equipment, occupancy, and maintenance of all buildings, structures, and premises in the District, whether existing or proposed, including any appurtenances connected or attached to a building or structure…⁴

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