Georgia building code

Codes in force in Georgia

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

Adopted by: Board of Community Affairs¹.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further⁵

Applies to

All construction in Georgia, whether or not locally enforced⁵

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁶

Amendments

O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25(c)⁶

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further⁵

Applies to

All construction in Georgia, whether or not locally enforced⁵

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁶

Amendments

O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25(c)⁶

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Adopted locally⁵

Applies to

Only where a local government adopts the code⁵

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁶

Amendments

O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25(c)⁶

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 edition with Georgia Amendments proposed, effective January 1, 2027 if adopted⁷

Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

Scope

Adopted locally⁵

Applies to

Only where a local government adopts the code⁵

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁶

Amendments

O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25(c)⁶

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 edition with Georgia Amendments proposed, effective January 1, 2027 if adopted⁷

How Georgia adopts building codes

O.C.G.A. Title 8, Chapter 2 (Uniform Codes Act), §§ 8-2-20, 8-2-23, 8-2-25, 8-2-26

• O.C.G.A. Title 8, Chapter 2. The Uniform Codes Act is codified at chapter 2 of title 8 of The Official Code of Georgia Annotated.⁵
• Mandatory. …the building, one and two family dwelling residential, fire, plumbing, mechanical, gas, electrical, energy, and swimming pool codes are mandatory codes, meaning that under Georgia law, any structure built in Georgia must comply with these codes, whether or not the local government chooses to locally enforce these codes.⁵
• Permissive. Unlike the mandatory codes, in order for a local government to enforce one or more of these permissive codes, that code or codes must be adopted, either by ordinance or resolution, by the local jurisdiction.⁵
• Local governments need not adopt mandatory codes. In addition, since Georgia law gives the enumerated codes statewide applicability, it is not required that local governments have to adopt the mandatory codes.⁵
• Local government chooses which mandatory codes to enforce. However, the local government can choose which of the mandatory codes it wishes to locally enforce.⁵
• Latest edition must be enforced. If a local government chooses to locally enforce any of these codes, it must enforce the latest editions and the amendments adopted by DCA.⁶
• O.C.G.A. § 8-2-23. …were adopted under the authority granted to the Board of Community Affairs by O.C.G.A. § 8-2-23.⁸
• Effective November 19, 2026. …the Board of Community Affairs intends to consider adoption of the above-referenced codes and amendments at its meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2026…⁷

Applies to

All construction in Georgia⁵

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes⁶

What local governments may change

O.C.G.A. §§ 8-2-25(c), 8-2-4, 43-41-17(c)

• The Uniform Codes Act provides that local governments may, under certain conditions, adopt local amendments to the state minimum standard codes.⁶
• Not less stringent. The requirements in the proposed local amendment cannot be less stringent than the requirements in the state minimum standard code.⁶
• 60 days. The local government must submit the proposed amendment to DCA 60 days prior to the proposed adoption of such an amendment.⁶
• No mandatory sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings. The intent of the Georgia amendments is that fire sprinklers shall not be mandatory in one- and two-family dwellings.⁹
• No additional local licensing of state licensees, subject to exceptions. …no municipality or county may require any such person licensed under this chapter to comply with any additional licensing requirements imposed by such municipality or county relative to the performance of construction work subject to the licensing requirements under this chapter.¹⁰

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes⁶

Residential code in Georgia cities

The edition each city enforces, from the city’s own adoption page or ordinance.

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