State Building Code

The 2021 International Building Code adopted on July 1, 2022 as the State Building Code and enforced by the Division of Construction Management (DCM) includes the following:

Companion Codes

Date of Adoption

  • 2021 International Existing Building Code
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2021 International Plumbing Code
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2021 International Mechanical Code
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2021 International Fire Code
    • July 1, 2022
  • ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, with exceptions permitted to:
    • July 1, 2022
    6.5.1 - Economizers
    8.4.2 - Automatic Receptacle Control
    8.4.3 - Electrical Energy Monitoring
     
  • 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
    • April 18, 2011
    These requirements supersede the accessibility requirements contained in the International Building Code and ANSI A117.1.

DCM Code Supplements

  • 2020 ICC/NSSA-500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2019 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72)
    • July 1, 2022

Code Jurisdiction

The State Building Code is limited to any new construction, addition, renovation, modification of mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, sitework and generally any and all work on state-owned property and/or using state funds, on all public and private kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) schools, on public postsecondary schools, on hotels/motels and on movie theaters. DCM's code jurisdiction over plans and specifications of all municipal and county-owned projects is limited to such projects meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. DCM does not have jurisdiction over residential property or commercial property except for hotels/motels and movie theaters. Contact the AL Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs at 334-242-5290 as well as city or county building departments concerning codes for residential and most commercial property. Where there is no local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), the default code enforcement is by the State Fire Marshal. The codes and standards may be viewed and/or purchased from various sources online including https://codes.iccsafe.org/search/map.

Definitions per Alabama Administrative Code 355-12-1.04

  • State Building and Construction: All buildings and other structures erected or acquired by or on behalf of the State of Alabama or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
  • Schoolhouses: Any building or other structure erected or acquired by the public schools of Alabama and also shall mean any private building in which 25 or more persons are congregated regularly for the purpose of instruction in any branch of knowledge.
  • Hotels: Any public inn or lodging house of 15 or more bedrooms, in which transient guests are lodged for pay.
  • Moving Picture Theaters: Any building in which moving pictures are featured regularly for charge of admission.

DCM Bulletins concerning Codes and Standards

See DCM's Bulletins webpage concerning DCM guidance on Codes and Standards, along with relevant Acts and Administrative Codes.