State Building Code

The 2015 International Building Code adopted on July 1, 2016 as the State Building Code and enforced by the Division of Construction Management (DCM) includes the following:

Companion Codes

Date of Adoption

  • 2015 International Existing Building Code
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2015 International Plumbing Code
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2015 International Mechanical Code
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2015 International Fuel Gas Code
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2015 International Fire Code
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2014 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2013 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72)
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2014 ICC/NSSA-500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
    • July 1, 2016
  • ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2013 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential
    • July 1, 2016
  • 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
    • April 18, 2011
    The requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design supersede the accessibility requirements contained in the International Building Code and ANSI A117.1.

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 codes 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.

Alabama Administrative Rule 355-12-1: Alabama State Building Code

Active DCM Bulletins concerning Codes and Standards:

Date of Issuance