Minnesota building code

Codes in force in Minnesota

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; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1309³

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1305⁵

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1311⁶

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1322¹⁷

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1323¹⁸

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Provisions enforced under DLI direction⁴

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 4714⁹

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 1346¹¹

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁶

Applies to

Statewide, with municipal enforcement by ordinance¹⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No¹⁶

Amendments

Minn. R. 1346.5050 to 1346.6014¹³

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide minimum; local governments may go further¹⁹

Applies to

All political subdivisions and municipalities¹⁹

Local amendments allowed?

Yes¹⁹

Amendments

Minn. R. ch. 7511¹⁴

How Minnesota adopts building codes

Minn. Stat. §§ 326B.101 to 326B.121; Minn. R. 1300.0050

• Statewide standard. (a) The State Building Code is the standard that applies statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, and use of buildings and other structures of the type governed by the code.¹⁶
• Supersedes local building codes. (b) The State Building Code supersedes the building code of any municipality.¹⁶
• Municipalities with an ordinance on Jan. 1, 2008 must keep enforcing. (a) If, as of January 1, 2008, a municipality has in effect an ordinance adopting the State Building Code, that municipality must continue to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction.¹⁶
• Small non-metro exception. This paragraph does not apply to municipalities with a population of less than 2,500 according to the last federal census that are located outside of a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4.¹⁶
• Others may opt in by ordinance. (b) If a municipality is not required by paragraph (a) to administer and enforce the State Building Code, the municipality may choose to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction by adopting the code by ordinance.¹⁶
• Not enforceable locally unless adopted. Although it isn't enforceable by municipalities unless it is adopted by local ordinance, the State Building Code creates a level playing field for the construction industry by establishing the construction standard for all buildings in the state.²⁰
• Applies with or without local enforcement. The Minnesota State Building Code is the standard of construction for all of Minnesota, in areas with or without local code enforcement.²¹
• Six-year model code cycle. (c) Beginning with the 2018 edition of the model building codes and every six years thereafter, the commissioner shall review the new model building codes and adopt the model codes as amended for use in Minnesota, within two years of the published edition date.⁴
• Residential energy: each new IECC edition or better, from 2026. (g) Beginning in 2026, the commissioner shall act on the new model residential energy code by adopting each new published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code or a more efficient standard.⁴
• Six-year cycle, three-year energy cycle (DLI). Every six years, our agency adopts new building codes designed to promote cost-effective ways of ensuring building safety and efficiency. The agency adopts new energy codes every three years in accordance with statutory requirements to ensure the energy efficiency of new construction.²⁰
• Chapters of the code. The Minnesota State Building Code adopted under Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, includes the following chapters…²²
• Current set in effect. The 2020 Minnesota State Building Code is effective March 31, 2020, except for the Minnesota Mechanical Fuel Gas Code, which is effective April 6, 2020.¹

Applies to

Buildings other than agricultural buildings, with exceptions¹⁶

Can local rules be stricter?

No¹⁶

What local governments may change

Minn. Stat. § 326B.121, subds. 1, 1a, 2

• No different local building provisions. (c) A municipality must not by ordinance, or through development agreement, require building code provisions regulating components or systems of any structure that are different from any provision of the State Building Code.¹⁶
• Geological exception. A municipality may, with the approval of the state building official, adopt an ordinance that is more restrictive than the State Building Code where geological conditions warrant a more restrictive ordinance.¹⁶
• Zoning, subdivision and planning stay local. (g) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits a municipality from adopting ordinances relating to zoning, subdivision, or planning unless the ordinance conflicts with a provision of the State Building Code that regulates components or systems of any structure.¹⁶
• 180 days. The local regulation may not require completion of exterior work earlier than 180 days following the issuance of the permit.¹⁶
• City enforcement can extend up to 2 miles, with township permission. (d) A city may by ordinance and with permission of the township board extend the administration and enforcement of the code to contiguous unincorporated territory not more than two miles distant from its corporate limits in any direction if the code is not already administered and enforced in the territory.¹⁶
• Fire Code: local ordinances may go further. However, nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit a local unit of government otherwise authorized by law from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation which specifies requirements equal to, in addition to, or more stringent than the requirements of the State Fire Code.¹⁹

Residential code in Minnesota cities

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

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