State Building Code

The 2021 International Building Code adopted on July 1, 2022, with exceptions as noted below amended March 17, 2025 with portions of the 2024 International Building Code and Companion codes, as the State Building Code and enforced by the Division of Construction Management (DCM) includes the following:

Adopted Building Code

Date Adopted

  • 2021 - International Building Code, with the following exceptions:
    - Replace the following with the respective section from the 2024 International Building Code – Chapter 2: Definitions – Flammable Gas.
    - Replace the following sections with the respective section from the 2024 International Building Code – Table 307.1(1), 307.4, 307.5, 414.2.5, and Table 414.5.1.
    - Add the following sections from the 2024 International Building Code – 414.2.5.4 and Table 414.2.5.4.
    • March 17, 2025
  • 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, with the following exceptions:
    - Replace the following sections with the respective section from the 2024 International Mechanical Code – Table 1103.1, 1104.3.1, 1104.3.2, 1106.3, 1106.4, 1106.4.1 through 1106.4.3, Table 1106.4.2, Table 1107.4, Table 1107.5, 1107.7, 1109.2.2, 1109.2.3, 1109.2.6, 1109.2.7, 1109.3, 1109.3.1, 1109.3.2, 1110.3, and 1110.5.
    - Add the following sections from the 2024 International Mechanical Code – 1101.2.1 and 1110.3.1.
    - Remove the following sections from the 2021 International Mechanical Code – Table 1104.3.2, 1109.4, 1109.4.1, 1109.4.2, 1109.7, 1110.5.1, 1110.5.2, 1110.6, 1110.7.
    - Add the following to the 2021 International Mechanical Code – Chapter 15: Referenced Standards – ASHRAE 15-2022, ASHRAE 34-2022, and ASTM A333-18.
    - Replace the following from the 2021 International Mechanical Code – Chapter 15: Referenced Standards – UL/CSA 60335-2-40 – 2022 and UL/CSA 60335-2-89 – 2021.
    • March 17, 2025
  • 2020 - National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2021 - International Fire Code , with the following exceptions:
    - Replace the following with the respective section from the 2024 International Fire Code – Chapter 2: Definitions – Flammable Gas.
    - Replace the following sections with the respective section from the 2024 International Fire Code – 608.17, 608.18, 608.18.1 through 608.18.3, Table 608.18.2, Table 911.1, 3307.2.1, Table 5003.1.1(1), Table 5003.1.1(3), 5003.8.3.5, 5003.11, 5003.11.1, and 5003.11.2.
    - Replace the following sections with the indicated section from the 2024 International Fire Code: 5003.11.3 with 5003.11.1.1 and 5003.11.3.1 through 5003.11.3.11 with 5003.11.1.1.1 through 5003.11.1.1.11.
    - Add the following sections from the 2024 International Fire Code – 5003.8.3.5.4, Table 5003.11.2, and 5003.11.2.1.
    • March 17, 2025
  • ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 – 2013 Energy Standard for Buildings except Low–Rise Residential Buildings with exceptions permitted to:
    - 6.5.1 – Economizers,
    - 8.4.2 – Automatic Receptable Control, and
    - 8.4.3 – Electrical Energy Monitoring.
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2010 - ADA Standards for Accessible Design
    - The requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design supersede the accessibility requirements contained in the International Building Code and ANSI A117.1.
    • April 18, 2011

DCM Code Supplements

  • 2020 - ICC/NSSA-500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters
    • July 1, 2022
  • 2019 NFPA 72: 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.