“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” – Aristotle
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And speaking of intelligent execution… have you ever wondered where building codes came from?
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​Let’s rewind a few thousand years.
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One of the earliest known building codes dates back to ancient Babylon around 1750 BCE. You may have heard of it - it’s called the Code of Hammurabi, and it was not exactly subtle.
For example:

Harsh? Yes. However, it demonstrates how long people have valued structural safety and how seriously it was taken, even in the past.

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Thankfully, today’s code violations are resolved with inspections and redlines, not life-or-death consequences. Still, the goal remains the same: to protect people and property.
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Today, there is a uniform mechanism for creating building codes through the International Code Council (ICC), an organization formed in 1994 that combined the three major U.S. building code organizations of that time with the intent of crafting a single, nationwide building code.

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The result is a set of 15 model building codes covering virtually all aspects of the building design, permitting, construction, and maintenance lifecycle. The ones we most commonly use are the International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), and the International Existing Building Code (IEBC).

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The only commonly used model building code that the ICC does not create is the National Electrical Code, which is from the National Fire Protection Association. The ICC model codes are updated every three years.

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Every U.S. state has a building code based on the ICC model codes, but not every state has adopted the same edition of the model code, nor do they adopt all elements of the model code.

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Some states are still on parts of the 2009 edition, while others are now based on the 2021 edition. While most states declare through legislation that a particular set of model codes is to be followed by permitting agencies, some states have an independent process that creates a state-specific code, with most of the content coming from one or more model codes.

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States will also declare portions of the model code to be inapplicable. For example, most states void the fire sprinkler installation requirement contained in the IRC. There is also a direct connection between the state exemptions from licensure for residential building designers provided by almost all U.S. states and the definitional applicability of the IRC to single- and two-family construction, including townhouses.

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It takes three years to go through the process of creating the next edition of the model codes. The current model code cycle began in 2024 and will produce the 2027 edition.

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The first two years involve proposed modifications to the current (2024) edition, which undergo a two-step committee review process. Anyone can submit a proposed code modification.

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Rather than consider every topic at one time, ICC modified the process for the current cycle by splitting it into two code groups. Group A topics were considered in 2024 and dealt with most structural requirements; Group B covers the remaining topics with a focus on administrative and residential elements in 2025. (For more information on the process, go to https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development-changes.)

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AIBD’s Codes & Standards Committee submitted nine proposed Group B modifications in January 2025. Due to the structure of reviewing committees and their topical assignments, several of the proposed changes were split into multiple parts that needed to be considered separately for each applicable model code.

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The first round of committee hearings occurred in Orlando during late April and early May. Anyone in attendance can speak in support or opposition to a proposed code modification. Most of the proposed changes were clarifications of existing content. While some of our proposals were approved, others were denied.

Jack Butler provided testimony during the ICC code hearing held in April 2025.

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Denial is not the end of the process, though. In many cases, the reviewing committee offers suggestions for how the denied modification could be improved so that it would be accepted at the second round of committee hearings, which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, during October 2025.

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In between those two sets of committee hearings, anyone can submit a public comment that seeks to support, oppose, or alter a proposed modification. Proposals can also be changed during the committee meetings by committee members and through floor modifications submitted by anyone.

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One of AIBD’s proposals dealing with the contentious issue of when signed and sealed construction documents are required was denied by one committee for inclusion in the IRC and approved by another for inclusion in the IBC and IEBC.

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This result was the outcome of our submitting a floor modification that changed the proposal based on the comments made in the first committee of review, which denied the proposal, to make it acceptable at the second committee of review, which approved it.

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We have since submitted a public comment seeking to make the same changes to the IRC version so that it can now be approved in the second round of committee meetings.

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Although the discussion at committee hearings can be very technical, most proposed modifications are motivated by practical issues experienced by designers, builders, and code officials.

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All of the ideas expressed in our Group B modification proposals came in response to AIBD members who were having an issue getting their construction documents approved. Such issues are usually the result of misinterpretations of the building code, where we can work with the AIBD member and local building officials to get an immediate resolution of the issue.

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But when we see the same issue arising in multiple jurisdictions, we can craft an ICC model code modification that could permanently fix the problem. We also work with other organizations and manufacturers through AIBD’s membership on the Codes Committee of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) and directly with industry groups, like the National Association of Home Builders.

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While the ICC model codes are an everyday basis for regulatory changes, we sometimes need to also work with state legislatures or local governments to address issues that limit the ability of our members to practice their craft.

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Last year, for example, AIBD staff and the Codes & Standards Committee worked with members and legislators in several states to adopt favorable legislation or oppose unfavorable restrictions.

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Every professional member of AIBD is qualified to provide input to the code-development process. We have individuals who can craft the legal and technical language of code modifications or statutory changes.

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What we need are AIBD members who have experienced issues with the building code or statutory provisions. We also need members who can report on what is happening in their state that could impact building designers.

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Our intent is to construct a network of AIBD members who can feed information to the Committee and periodically review proposed code changes to see if they will work by application in their area of practice.

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Please consider helping yourself and other building design professionals across the country by volunteering to join the AIBD Codes & Standards Committee at AIBD.org/volunteer.

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Have a great day!

Raven Epps, AIBD Membership Director

​raven.epps@AIBD.org​

Jack Butler, Chairman, AIBD Building Codes & Standards

​buildingcodes@AIBD.org​