US Zoning & Building Codes Guide
Plain-English explanations of zoning laws, building codes, ADU regulations, permit requirements, and construction checklists — organized by state and city, with links to official sources.
Browse by State
Alabama
20 cities covered
2021 IBC (adopted as base code)
Alaska
20 cities covered
State adopts IBC; many rural areas exempt
Arizona
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code (local adoption)
Arkansas
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code (local adoption)
California
20 cities covered
2022 California Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
Colorado
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code (local jurisdictions adopt)
Connecticut
20 cities covered
2018 CT State Building Code (based on IBC)
Delaware
24 cities covered
Delaware State Fire Prevention Code (references IBC)
District of Columbia
20 cities covered
DC Construction Codes (based on 2021 IBC)
Florida
20 cities covered
Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023, based on 2021 IBC)
Georgia
21 cities covered
2012 Georgia State Amendments to IBC
Hawaii
20 cities covered
2018 IBC with Hawaii amendments
Idaho
22 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code; local adoption
Illinois
20 cities covered
No statewide building code for non-state buildings; local adoption
Indiana
21 cities covered
Indiana Building Code (based on 2012 IBC)
Iowa
22 cities covered
Iowa State Building Code (based on 2015 IBC)
Kansas
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code; local adoption
Kentucky
20 cities covered
Kentucky Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
Louisiana
20 cities covered
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code (based on 2021 IBC/IRC)
Maine
20 cities covered
Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC, based on 2021 IBC)
Maryland
20 cities covered
Maryland Building Performance Standards (based on 2021 IBC)
Massachusetts
21 cities covered
MA State Building Code 10th Edition (based on 2021 IBC)
Michigan
20 cities covered
Michigan Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
Minnesota
21 cities covered
MN State Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
Mississippi
22 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code; local adoption
Missouri
23 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code; local adoption
Montana
20 cities covered
Montana Building Codes Bureau administers code (based on 2021 IBC)
Nebraska
20 cities covered
Nebraska State Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
Nevada
20 cities covered
Nevada adopts IBC through State Public Works
New Hampshire
20 cities covered
NH State Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
New Jersey
20 cities covered
NJ Uniform Construction Code (based on 2021 IBC)
New Mexico
20 cities covered
NM Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
New York
20 cities covered
NY State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
North Carolina
20 cities covered
NC State Building Code (based on 2018 IBC)
North Dakota
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code; local adoption encouraged
Ohio
20 cities covered
Ohio Building Code (based on 2017 IBC)
Oklahoma
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code for residential; local adoption
Oregon
21 cities covered
Oregon Structural Specialty Code (based on 2021 IBC)
Pennsylvania
28 cities covered
PA Uniform Construction Code (based on 2018 IBC)
Rhode Island
20 cities covered
RI State Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
South Carolina
21 cities covered
SC Building Codes Council adopts IBC (2018 edition)
South Dakota
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide code; local adoption
Tennessee
20 cities covered
TN State Fire Marshal enforces code in some areas (based on 2018 IBC/IRC)
Texas
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code; local adoption
Utah
20 cities covered
Utah State Construction Code (based on 2021 IBC)
Vermont
26 cities covered
Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code (references IBC)
Virginia
20 cities covered
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
Washington
20 cities covered
WA State Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
West Virginia
20 cities covered
WV State Fire Code (references IBC)
Wisconsin
20 cities covered
WI Uniform Dwelling Code (unique state code)
Wyoming
20 cities covered
No mandatory statewide building code; local adoption
Guides
View all guides →Can I Build an ADU? A Complete Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units
Everything you need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Covers types, requirements, state laws, permits, costs, and timelines for detached ADUs, attached ADUs, JADUs, and garage conversions.
Buying Vacant Land in the US: A Complete Guide for First-Time Land Buyers
Everything you need to know before buying vacant land in the United States. Covers how to evaluate a lot for building, verify road access, check utilities, assess environmental risks, and avoid common pitfalls.
Environmental Regulations for Land Buyers: Wetlands, Contamination & Protected Species
A comprehensive guide to environmental regulations that affect land purchases in the US, including wetlands protection, contamination assessment, endangered species, and Phase I/II environmental site assessments.
Federal Requirements That Apply to Every US Property
Understand the federal regulations that affect property development nationwide. Covers FEMA flood zones, ADA accessibility, EPA environmental rules, Fair Housing Act implications, and Army Corps wetlands permits.
Checklists
View all checklists →ADU Feasibility Checklist: Can You Build an ADU on Your Property?
A step-by-step checklist to determine whether you can build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property, covering zoning eligibility, lot requirements, design constraints, and permitting.
Building Permit Checklist: What You Need Before Applying
A step-by-step checklist for preparing and submitting a building permit application, covering required documents, plans, inspections, and common reasons for denial.
Commercial Zoning Checklist: Due Diligence for Business Property
A comprehensive checklist for evaluating commercial zoning requirements before leasing or purchasing business property, including use permits, parking, signage, and ADA compliance.
Environmental Review Checklist: Site Assessment Before Buying Land
A step-by-step checklist for evaluating environmental risks and regulations before purchasing property, including wetlands, contamination, endangered species, and Phase I/II assessments.