Iowa building code

Codes in force in Iowa

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

Adopted locally²

Applies to

State-owned buildings; subdivisions accepting the code by ordinance; state-funded new construction; cities over 15,000 without a substantially equivalent local code²

Local amendments allowed?

A subdivision may enact its own building regulations; one that has accepted the state code may not make it more restrictive²

Amendments

481 IAC 301.8¹

Transition period

12 months¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Adopted locally²

Applies to

State-owned buildings; subdivisions accepting the code by ordinance; state-funded new construction; cities over 15,000 without a substantially equivalent local code²

Local amendments allowed?

A subdivision may enact its own building regulations; one that has accepted the state code may not make it more restrictive²

Amendments

481 IAC 301.3¹

Transition period

12 months¹

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Adopted locally²

Applies to

State-owned buildings; subdivisions accepting the code by ordinance; state-funded new construction; cities over 15,000 without a substantially equivalent local code²

Local amendments allowed?

A subdivision may enact its own building regulations; one that has accepted the state code may not make it more restrictive²

Amendments

481 IAC 301.7¹

Transition period

12 months¹

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

Residential construction of three or fewer stories; remodeling or renovation of one- and two-family dwellings is excluded¹

Local amendments allowed?

Not limited by the no-more-restrictive rule of § 103A.22(1)²

Amendments

481 IAC 301.24¹

Transition period

12 months¹

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

Commercial construction and residential construction of four or more stories¹

Local amendments allowed?

Not limited by the no-more-restrictive rule of § 103A.22(1)²

Amendments

481 IAC 301.25¹

Transition period

12 months¹

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further³

Applies to

All buildings and structures owned by the state or an agency of the state and each local jurisdiction⁴

Local amendments allowed?

Yes³

Amendments

481 IAC 425.4³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further⁵

Applies to

All buildings and structures owned by the state or an agency of the state and each local jurisdiction⁴

Local amendments allowed?

Yes⁵

Amendments

481 IAC 426.3⁵

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

No statewide code¹

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

How Iowa adopts building codes

Iowa Code §§ 103A.7, 103A.10, 103A.12, 103A.19, 103A.22, 105.4; 481 IAC chs. 301, 404, 425, 426

• Commissioner adopts the state building code with advisory council approval. The state building code commissioner with the approval of the advisory council is hereby empowered and directed to formulate and adopt and from time to time amend or revise and to promulgate, in conformity with and subject to the conditions set forth in this chapter, reasonable rules designed to establish minimum safeguards in the erection and construction of buildings and structures, to protect the human beings who live and work in them from fire and other hazards, and to establish regulations to further protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.²
• Applies to state-owned buildings. To all buildings and structures owned by the state or an agency of the state.²
• Applies where accepted by local ordinance. In each governmental subdivision where the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the application of the code.²
• Applies to state-funded new construction. To all newly constructed buildings and structures the construction of which is paid for in whole or in part with moneys appropriated by the state but which are not wholly owned by the state.²
• Applies by default in cities over 15,000 with no substantially equivalent local code. In each city with a population of more than fifteen thousand that has not adopted a local building code that is substantially in accord with standards developed by a nationally recognized building code organization.²
• Local ordinance can adopt the state code. The state building code is applicable in each governmental subdivision of the state in which the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the applicability of the code and has filed a certified copy of the ordinance in the office of the commissioner.²
• Factory-built structure provisions apply statewide. Provisions of the state building code relating to the manufacture and installation of factory-built structures shall apply throughout the state.²
• Thermal energy standards apply statewide. Provisions of the state building code establishing thermal efficiency energy conservation standards shall be applicable to all construction in the state which will contain enclosed space that is heated or cooled.²
• State plumbing and mechanical codes apply in each local jurisdiction. The state plumbing code and the state mechanical code shall be applicable to all buildings and structures owned by the state or an agency of the state and in each local jurisdiction.⁴
• Local jurisdictions need not inspect under the plumbing or mechanical code. Local jurisdictionsshallnotberequiredtoconductinspectionsortakeanyotherenforcementaction under the state plumbing code and state mechanical code regardless of whether the local jurisdiction has adopted by ordinance the state plumbing code or the state mechanical code.⁴
• The state does not administer plumbing permits. Permit, inspection, testing, and enforcement provisions contained in this code are not administered by the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board or the state.³
• Radon: state building code radon mitigation provisions apply to all new one- and two-family homes statewide (statute in effect; implementing rule only proposed). Provisions of the state building code relating to radon mitigation requirements shall be applicable to all new single-family and two-family residential construction in this state.⁷

Applies to

Cities and counties; see §103A.10(2)²

Can local rules be stricter?

A subdivision may enact its own building regulations; one that has accepted the state code may not make it more restrictive²

What local governments may change

Iowa Code §§ 103A.22(1), 103.1C (HF2800 § 37), 105.4(1)(b)

• Subdivisions accepting the state code cannot make it more restrictive. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting any governmental subdivision from adopting or enacting any building regulations relating to any building or structure within its limits, but a governmental subdivision in which the state building code has been accepted and is applicable shall not have the power to supersede, void, or repeal or make more restrictive any of the provisions of this chapter or of the rules adopted by the commissioner.²
• Local electrical code cannot be more restrictive than the NEC. A political subdivision shall not adopt a local electrical code that is more restrictive than the national electrical code.⁸
• Local plumbing: no other code, stricter amendments allowed. Local jurisdictions may not adopt other plumbing codes. Local jurisdictions may adopt additional amendments provided they are stricter than the UPC as amended by this chapter and copies of any local amendments are provided to the board.³
• Local mechanical: stricter amendments allowed. Local jurisdictions may adopt additional amendments to the state mechanical code if the additional amendments are stricter than the state mechanical code as set forth in this chapter.⁵
• ADU rules conflicting with the statute are void. Acityordinance, motion, resolution, oramendmentregulatingaccessorydwellingunits in a manner that conflicts with this subsection is void.⁹

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