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Building permit rules by state

Choose a state.

Each state page explains who issues permits, which code is in force and the state laws on exemptions, owner-builders, contractor licensing, permit deadlines and selling a home with unpermitted work.

Who issues permits and which code applies

In most states, cities and counties issue building permits and the state sets or limits the code they enforce. This table gives each state’s residential code as adopted and who issues permits, from the state records.

StateResidential code as adoptedPermits issued by
AlabamaAlabama Residential Building Code1Cities and counties2
Alaska–Varies3
Arizona–Local governments4
Arkansas2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volume III5Local governments6
CaliforniaPart 2.5 California Residential Code7Local governments8
Colorado––
Connecticut2021 International Residential Code portion of the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code9Local governments10
DelawareInternational Residential Code, 2024 edition11Counties12
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia Residential Code (2017)13The state14
Florida8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, Residential15Local governments16
Georgia–Local governments17
HawaiiHAWAII STATE RESIDENTIAL CODE18Counties18
Idaho2018 International Residential Code (parts I, II, III and IX), with Idaho amendments collectively named the Idaho Residential Code (2020 Edition)19Local governments20
IllinoisIRC21Local governments22
Indiana2020 Indiana Residential Code23Local governments24
Iowa–Local governments25
KansasThe 2018 edition of the international residential code (IRC)26Local governments27
Kentucky2018 Kentucky Residential Code (Based on the 2015 International Residential Code)28Local governments29
LouisianaInternational Residential Code, 2021 Edition, not including Parts I-Administrative, and VIII-Electrical.30Local governments30
MaineMAINE UNIFORM BUILDING AND ENERGY CODE - RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE FOR ONE AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS IN MAINE31Local governments32
Maryland2021 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings33Counties34
Massachusetts780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code35Local governments36
MichiganMichigan residential code for 1- and 2-family dwellings37Local governments38
Minnesota2020 Minnesota Residential Code39Varies40
MississippiInternational Residential Code (IRC)41Local governments42
MissouriInternational Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings43Local governments43
Montana–Local governments44
NebraskaInternational Residential Code, 2018 version45–
Nevada–Local governments46
New Hampshire–Local governments47
New JerseyInternational Residential Code/2024, NJ ed48Local governments49
New Mexico2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code50The state51
New York2025 Residential Code of New York State52Local governments53
North Carolina2018 North Carolina Residential Code (2015 IRC base)54Local government (municipal, county or joint inspection department)55
North DakotaNorth Dakota State Building Code: 2024 International Residential Code56Varies57
OhioResidential Code of Ohio (RCO)58Local governments58
OklahomaInternational Residential Code®, 2024 Edition (IRC® 2024), as amended by OAC 748:20-659Cities, towns and counties60
Oregon2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC)61City or county; DCBS Building Codes Division where no local program62
PennsylvaniaInternational Residential Code of 202163Local governments64
Rhode IslandRhode Island One & Two-Family Dwelling Code (IRC 2021 with RI amendments)65–
South Carolina2021 International Residential Code with SC modifications66Local governments67
South Dakota2024 International Residential Code68Varies69
TennesseeInternational Residential Code (IRC), 2018 edition, and Appendix Q70The state70
TexasInternational Residential Code, as it existed on May 1, 201271Local governments71
Utah2021 International Residential Code72Local governments73
Vermont–The state74
Virginia2021 International Residential Code as referenced in the VCC ("VRC")75Counties76
WashingtonInternational Residential Code, 2021 edition, without chapters 11 and 25-43; Appendices AF, AQ and AWU included77Cities and counties78
West Virginia2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (with WV amendments; IRC Chapter 11 not adopted)79Varies80
Wisconsin–Local governments81
WyomingIRC incorporated only as referenced in chapters 1-10 of the IBC, IFC, IMC and IFGC82Varies83

Sources

  1. Chapter 465-X-10 Alabama Residential Building Code (Certification)State of Alabama, Home Builders Licensure Board (certified filing, Legislative Services Agency, Administrative Procedure Division)Adopted October 20, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  2. Section 34-14A-13 Issuance of Permits.State of Alabama, Code of Alabama 1975 (Alabama Legislature, ALISON)Checked November 5, 2026
  3. Building Plan ReviewAlaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire and Life SafetyChecked November 7, 2026
  4. 9-467 - Building permits; issuance; distribution of copies; state preemption; utilities; subsequent owner;…Arizona State Legislature, Arizona Revised StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Building CodesCity of Bentonville, ArkansasChecked November 5, 2026
  6. 2021 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Rules ChangesArkansas Department of Public Safety, Division of Arkansas State Police, State Fire MarshalPosted April 27, 2022Checked November 5, 2026
  7. Guide to Title 24, 6th EditionCalifornia Department of General Services, Building Standards CommissionPublished July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Health and Safety Code Section 17960California Legislature, Legislative Information (leginfo) public data downloadAdopted 1979Checked November 5, 2026
  9. 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  10. 2026 Supplement, Chapter 541State of Connecticut, General Assembly (Connecticut General Statutes)Revised January 1, 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  11. County Laws & CodeNew Castle County, DelawareChecked November 7, 2026
  12. 16 Del. C. ch. 76, County or Municipal Building, Plumbing, Electrical and Other CodesState of Delaware, Delaware Code OnlineChecked November 5, 2026
  13. 12-A DCMR § 101 GeneralDistrict of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (D.C. Municipal Regulations)Effective May 29, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  14. Permitting in the District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia, Department of BuildingsChecked November 5, 2026
  15. Analysis of Changes for the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Codes: ResidentialState of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Building CommissionChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Fla. Stat. § 553.80 (2026 Florida Statutes)State of Florida, The Florida Senate (Florida Statutes)Published 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Administration and Enforcement of State Minimum CodesGeorgia Department of Community AffairsChecked November 5, 2026
  18. Hawaii State Residential CodeState of Hawaii, Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code CouncilAdopted November 17, 2020Checked November 5, 2026
  19. Idaho Adopted CodesState of Idaho, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Building ProgramChecked November 5, 2026
  20. Electrical Board: Frequently Asked QuestionsState of Idaho, Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Idaho Electrical BoardLast updated November 6, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Building Codes and RegulationsState of Illinois, Capital Development BoardChecked November 5, 2026
  22. Illinois Codes FAQState of Illinois, Capital Development BoardChecked November 7, 2026
  23. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety CommissionState of Indiana, Department of Homeland SecurityChecked November 5, 2026
  24. Code Enforcement FAQsState of Indiana, Department of Homeland SecurityChecked November 5, 2026
  25. Iowa Code chapter 103A, State Building CodeIowa General Assembly, Iowa Code 2026Published 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  26. 2026 Senate Bill No. 418 (enrolled), by-right housing development actKansas LegislatureAdopted April 7, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  27. Design, Construction and ComplianceKansas Department of Administration, Office of Facilities & Property ManagementChecked November 5, 2026
  28. Codes Currently Adopted by KentuckyCommonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Housing, Buildings and ConstructionChecked November 6, 2026
  29. KRS 198B.060Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky Revised StatutesEffective July 14, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  30. Building Code Adoption & Inspector Licensing Law and Rules and RegulationsState of Louisiana, Louisiana Uniform Construction Code CommissionPublished August 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  31. Ch. 6 MUBEC - Residential Building Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings in MaineMaine Secretary of State, Agency Rules (08-003 C.M.R., Maine Office of Community Affairs, Building Codes and Standards)Revised March 4, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  32. Title 30-A, §4103: PermitsMaine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of StatutesLast updated October 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  33. COMAR 09.12.51, Maryland Building Performance StandardsMaryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry, Building Codes AdministrationEffective May 29, 2023Checked November 5, 2026
  34. Md. Code, Public Safety § 12-505Maryland General Assembly, Annotated Code of MarylandChecked November 7, 2026
  35. 780 CMR 51.00 Massachusetts Residential Code, Chapter R1 Scope and Application (10th ed., unofficial copy)Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Building Regulations and StandardsChecked November 7, 2026
  36. 780 CMR Chapter 1 Scope and Administration (10th ed. Base Volume, unofficial copy)Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Building Regulations and StandardsChecked November 6, 2026
  37. Construction Codes Part 5. Residential Code (R 408.30500 to 408.30547g)State of Michigan, Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, Michigan Administrative Code (Bureau of Construction Codes rules)Effective February 8, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  38. Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act, Act 230 of 1972Michigan Legislature, Michigan Compiled LawsLast updated May 23, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  39. 2020 Minnesota State Building CodesMinnesota Department of Labor and IndustryChecked November 6, 2026
  40. Minn. Stat. § 326B.133 Building officialsMinnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota StatutesPublished 2026Checked November 5, 2026
  41. SB 2378 (As Sent to Governor), 2014 Regular SessionMississippi LegislatureEffective August 1, 2014Checked November 6, 2026
  42. HB 1163 (As Sent to Governor), 2022 Regular SessionMississippi LegislatureEffective July 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  43. RSMo Section 67.281Missouri General Assembly, Revisor of StatutesEffective August 28, 2016Checked November 6, 2026
  44. Mont. Code Ann. § 50-60-106Montana Legislature, Legislative Services Division, Montana Code AnnotatedPublished 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  45. Building code updatedNebraska Legislature, Unicameral UpdatePosted April 11, 2019Checked November 6, 2026
  46. Nye County Board of County Commissioners Agenda Item Request Form, June 6, 2023Nye County, Planning/Code CompliancePublished June 6, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  47. RSA Chapter 155-A: New Hampshire Building CodeNew Hampshire General Court, RSAChecked November 5, 2026
  48. Current Construction CodesNJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and StandardsChecked November 6, 2026
  49. N.J.A.C. 5:23-1NJ Department of Community Affairs (Administrative Code copy)Last updated August 17, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  50. 14.7.3 NMAC 2021 New Mexico Residential Building CodeNew Mexico Administrative Code (State Records Center and Archives)Effective July 14, 2023Checked November 6, 2026
  51. Chapter 60, Article 13 NMSA 1978, Construction Industries Licensing ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission, NMOneSource (NMSA 1978 Unannotated)Last updated November 4, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  52. Notice of Adoption | Department of StateNew York Department of State, Division of Building Standards and CodesChecked November 6, 2026
  53. NY Executive Law § 381 (Laws of New York, NY Senate Open Legislation PDF)New York State Legislature (NY Senate Open Legislation)Checked November 7, 2026
  54. Codes - Current and Past | OSFMNorth Carolina Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Engineering DivisionChecked November 6, 2026
  55. 2018 NC State Administrative Code Amendments (adopted December 2017 through December 2024)North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Engineering DivisionPublished January 7, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  56. North Dakota State Building Code (effective January 1, 2026)North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community ServicesEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  57. Building Codes | Commerce | North DakotaNorth Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community ServicesChecked November 6, 2026
  58. 2019 Residential Code of Ohio Building Department Resource PackageState of Ohio, Department of Commerce, Board of Building StandardsPublished July 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  59. OAC Title 748, Chapter 20: IRC 2024 Permanent Rule (OUBCC unofficial copy)Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC)Effective September 14, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  60. 74 O.S. § 324.11Oklahoma Legislature, Oklahoma StatutesEffective November 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  61. Development Services Newsletter | October 2026City of Corvallis, Development ServicesPublished October 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  62. Chapter 455 — Building Code (Oregon Revised Statutes)Oregon State Legislature, Oregon Revised StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  63. 34 Pa. Code § 403.21. Uniform Construction Code.Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau), official full-text Pennsylvania CodeEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  64. Uniform Construction Code | Department of Labor and Industry | Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial SafetyChecked November 6, 2026
  65. RISBC-2 Rhode Island State One and Two Family DwellingsState of Rhode Island, Department of State (Rhode Island Code of Regulations), Building Code Commission / Building Code Standards CommitteeEffective December 1, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  66. Adopted Building CodesCity of Aiken, SCChecked November 6, 2026
  67. South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 6, Chapter 9: Building CodesSouth Carolina General Assembly, Legislative Services AgencyChecked November 7, 2026
  68. SDCL 11-10-12South Dakota Legislature, Legislative Research CouncilChecked November 5, 2026
  69. SDCL 11-10-6South Dakota Legislature, Legislative Research CouncilChecked November 5, 2026
  70. Rules, Chapter 0780-02-23 One and Two Family Dwellings and TownhousesTennessee Secretary of State, Division of PublicationsRevised September 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  71. Local Government Code Chapter 214. Municipal Regulation of Housing and Other StructuresTexas Legislative Council, Texas Constitution and Statutes (statutes.capitol.texas.gov)Effective January 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  72. Utah Code 15A-2-103, Specific editions adopted of construction code of a nationally recognized code authorityState of Utah, Utah State Legislature (Utah Code)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  73. Utah Code 15A-1-202, DefinitionsState of Utah, Utah State Legislature (Utah Code)Effective January 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  74. Vermont Fire & Building Safety Code 2025Vermont Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety (rule PDF)Effective November 4, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  75. 13VAC5-63-10. Section 101 GeneralCommonwealth of Virginia, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Effective January 18, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  76. 13VAC5-63-40. Section 104 Enforcement, generallyCommonwealth of Virginia, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Effective January 18, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
  77. WAC 51-51-003 International Residential CodeWashington State Legislature, Washington Administrative Code (State Building Code Council rules)Effective March 16, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
  78. Chapter 19.27 RCW, State Building CodeWashington State Legislature, Revised Code of WashingtonChecked November 7, 2026
  79. 87 CSR 4 State Building Code (Final File, effective 8/1/2022)West Virginia State Fire Commission (rule filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State)Effective August 1, 2022Checked November 6, 2026
  80. W. Va. Code §15A-11-5 Promulgation of rules and statewide building codeWest Virginia LegislatureChecked November 6, 2026
  81. Delegated Agents for Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and for Camping Units Permitting and InspectionWisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Industry ServicesLast updated September 24, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  82. Council on Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety in Buildings Rules, Chapter 1 General ProvisionsWyoming Council on Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety in BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
  83. Wyoming Statutes Title 35 Public Health and Safety (Chapter 9, Article 1)Wyoming Legislature, Legislative Service OfficeChecked November 7, 2026