Indiana building code

Codes in force in Indiana

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

Adopted by: Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission¹.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Applies to

Detached one- or two-family dwellings and one-family townhouses not more than 3 stories, and their accessory structures²

Local amendments allowed?

No³

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

Next edition (not yet in force)

Amended Indiana Plumbing Code, effective May 24, 2027⁴

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

Next edition (not yet in force)

Indiana Electrical Code, 2026 Edition, effective May 17, 2027⁴

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

State code

Scope

Statewide; local amendments not allowed³

Local amendments allowed?

No³

How Indiana adopts building codes

IC 22-13-2-2; IC 36-7-2-9; 675 IAC 13-25

• Local units must require compliance with the state code. IC 36-7-2-9 states in part, "Each unit shall require compliance with the code of building laws and fire safety laws that is adopted in the rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission under IC 22-13."⁵
• Class 1 structure definition cited to IC 22-12-1-4. A building or structure that is intended to be or is occupied or otherwise used in any part by: The public Three (3) or more tenants One (1) or more persons who act as the employees of another.⁵
• Class 2 structure definition cited to IC 22-12-1-5. A building or structure that is intended to contain or contains only one (1) dwelling unit or two (2) dwelling units unless any part of the building or structure is regularly used as a Class 1 structure.⁵
• 2020 Indiana Residential Code applies to Class 2 structures and accessory structures. It applies to all construction on Class 2 structures and their accessory structures.⁶
• In force statewide with no excluded locations. There are no jurisdictions or locations in the state in which the code is not in effect.⁶
• Statewide; local amendments not allowed. In effect, this legislation has created a framework where the substantive building and fire safety laws that are enforced throughout Indiana are the unamended rules of the Commission.³
• The Commission no longer reviews or approves ordinances, and any modification of the standards set by the Commission (e.g., new, more detailed, or heightened requirements) may only be completed through Commission rulemaking.³
• Electrical code update effective May 17, 2027. Electrical Code Update a. Effective May 17, 2027…⁴
• Plumbing code amendments effective May 24, 2027. Plumbing Code Update a. Effective May 24, 2027…⁴
• Building and Fire code updates awaited OMB feedback as of October 2026. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed receipt on September 30. Awaiting further response and feedback.⁷
• Building code update effective date not set. Anticipated Effective Date of the Rule – To Be Determined…⁸
• Class 2 owner chooses the electrical code path; no mixing. The project must comply with all applicable requirements of the selected code – the owner may not choose individual sections or requirements from each as they wish.⁹

Applies to

In force statewide with no excluded locations⁶

Can local rules be stricter?

No³

What local governments may change

IC 36-7-2-9; IC 36-7-2.5-35; IC 22-12-2.5-5; IC 22-13-2-5.6

• Ordinances setting substantive code rules are unenforceable, per IDHS. The information contained here provides an overview of the impacts of this legislation on building and fire safety ordinances and represents the position of IDHS that, in general, provisions of ordinances that establish substantive building and fire safety laws, outside of mere incorporation of the rules of the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, are unenforceable and may not be adopted.³
• The Commission no longer reviews or approves ordinances, and any modification of the standards set by the Commission (e.g., new, more detailed, or heightened requirements) may only be completed through Commission rulemaking.³
• Statewide; local amendments not allowed. In effect, this legislation has created a framework where the substantive building and fire safety laws that are enforced throughout Indiana are the unamended rules of the Commission.³
• Local units may petition the Commission. In place of the repealed ordinance review program, Indiana Code 22-12-2.5-5 and 22-13-2-5.6 now establish processes by which local jurisdictions may petition the Commission to modify its rules.³
• DHS statement is not binding. Please be aware, the statements made here solely represent the position of IDHS on this issue and are not binding.³
• Units may not be stricter than IC 36-7-2.5. Sec. 35. (a) A unit may not adopt or enforce any rules, procedures, policies, qualifications, or standards more stringent than those prescribed in this chapter.¹⁰

Can local rules be stricter?

No³

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