Rhode Island building code

Codes in force in Rhode Island

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

Adopted by: Building Code Standards Committee¹.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories, and their accessory structures¹

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-2¹

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-1²

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere³

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-7³

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁴

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-3⁴

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁵

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-4⁵

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-19⁶

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁷

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-5⁷

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁸

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-6⁸

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁹

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-14⁹

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁰

Applies to

Residential [RE] provisions¹⁰

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-8¹⁰

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹⁰

Applies to

Commercial [CE] provisions¹⁰

Amendments

510-RICR-00-00-8¹⁰

Transition period

Owner may notify building official within three months after adoption that drawings are based on prior code (statute text as quoted by Providence)¹¹

How Rhode Island adopts building codes

R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 23-27.3 (§§ 23-27.3-100.1.5, 23-27.3-100.1.5.4, 23-27.3-109.1); 510-RICR-00-00-1 to -21

• IRC 2021 superseded 2018 IRC. The current version of this regulation adopted the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 version, with RI specific amendments.¹²
• Committee promulgates the codes under R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-27.3-100.1.5 and 23-27.3-109.1. A. The Rhode Island One & Two-Family Dwelling Code is promulgated by the Building Code Standards Committee pursuant to the authority granted in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-27.3-100.1.5 and 23-27.3-109.1.¹
• IBC exception: one- and two-family dwellings use the RI One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code. 1. Detached one (1) and two (2) family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings (town houses) not more than three (3) stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures shall comply with the Rhode Island One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, Part 2 of this Subchapter.²
• State law prevails over IBC administrative provisions. To the extent that there is an apparent conflict between the provisions of these administrative sections and R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3, the provisions of State law shall prevail.²
• NEC: latest edition mandated by statute. R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5 provides: “All electrical work done in the state shall be in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The state building commission shall adopt the latest edition of the NEC, including any amendments to the NEC by the commission.”⁷
• IECC: statute required adoption of 2024 IECC and barred 2021 IECC. Notably, § 23-27.3-100.1.5.4(a)(1) states: “The state building code standards committee shall revise the state energy conservation code to comply with this requirement within one year of any update to the International Energy Conservation Code; provided, however, that the 2021 IECC published by the International Code Council shall not be adopted and the 2024 IECC published by the International Code Council shall be adopted within (3) three months of its release.”¹⁰
• 2021 ICC codes and 2023 NEC took effect December 1, 2025 (city statement). The new codes will officially took effect on December 1, 2025.¹¹
• State Building Commissioner enforces the code for state-owned buildings. As authorized by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-27.3-108.2 and 23-27.3-109.1, the Building Code Standards Committee has promulgated the following Rules and Regulations for enforcement and implementation of this Code by the State Building Commissioner as to any structures or buildings or parts thereof that are owned or are temporarily or permanently under the jurisdiction of the State of Rhode Island or any of its departments, commissions, agencies or authorities and as to any structures or buildings or parts thereof that are built upon any land owned by, or under the jurisdiction of the State of Rhode Island or any of its departments commissions…¹³
• Optional local grace period practice in Providence. In recognition of the time typically required between finalizing a construction contract and submitting a permit application, DIS will continue its practice of allowing a grace period during the transition between code editions.¹¹

Applies to

Statewide (all cities and towns)¹

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