Building Code Bureau
W. Stuart Crine, Building Code Commissioner

State Building Code Provisions

Building Code Commissioner Stuart Crine has adopted new State Building Code and a State Historic Building Code. The adoption of the State Building Code has been approved by the Building Code Advisory Council, while the adoption of the State Historic Building Code has been approved by the State Historical Society Board. Both codes become effective on January 1, 2009.

Complete Text of Adopted State Building Code:

• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 300 - Administration
• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 301 - General Provisions
• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 302 - Accessibility of Buildings
• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 303 - Energy Conservation

Included in the State Building Code are the following chapters which deal with factory built structures (manufactured homes and modular buildings);

• 661 Iowa Adminsitrative Code, Chapter 16 - Factory Built Structures
• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 322 - Manufactured Housing Support and Anchorage Systems
• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter323 - Temporary Emergency Use of Factory Built Structures - Commercial Use

The State Historic Building Code is adopted separately and requires approval by the State Historical Society Board:

• 661 Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 350 - State Historic Building Code

Following a recommenation of the State Building Code Advisory Council, the proposed State Building Code's provision is the adoption by reference of the International Building Code, 2009 edition. The International Building Code, which has been adopted by over 40 other states and numerous local jurisdictions in Iowa, is published by the International Code Council (ICC). It is the central member of the family of codes published to provide a comprehensive set of standards and requirements for structural and life safety in building construction. Several of the other codes published by the ICC are also adopted as part of the State Building Code, including the International Existing Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, and the International Mechanical Code. The proposed State Building Code would also adopt by reference the National Electrical Code, which is published by the National Fire Protection Association, and the State Plumbing Code, adopted by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The State Historic Building Code is based upon the provisions of the International Existing Building Code, 2009 edition, related to historic structures.

ALTHOUGH THE NEW STATE BUILDING CODE AND THE STATE HISTORIC BUILDING CODE ARE BASED UPON ADOPTION BY REFERENCE OF NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED STANDARDS AND CODES, PLEASE BE SURE TO EXAMINE THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES WHICH COMPRISE THE STATE BUILDING CODE AND THE STATE HISTORIC BUILDING CODE, AS THERE ARE AMENDMENTS TO EACH OF THE NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED CODES IN THESE RULES. PLEASE CONTACT THE BUILDING CODE BUREAU ABOUT ANY QUESTIONS.

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