Building Codes
The purpose of building codes is to increase the safety and integrity of structures, thereby reducing deaths, injuries and property damage. This preserves the built environment, both residential and commercial, reduces public and private disaster aid, and maintains employment in businesses and institutions that otherwise might be forced to close following a natural or manmade disaster. In addition, building codes promote a level and predictable playing field for designers, builders and suppliers. They offer a degree of comfort for buyers, who are reassured by the existence of minimum construction standards for the safety and soundness of a building. Modern codes also allow for economies of scale in the production of building materials and construction of buildings. These uniform construction standards contribute to the durability of buildings and help maintain quality of life and property values.
Click on a state for the latest building code information.
Rating the States: An Assessment of Residential Building Code and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) conducted a first of its kind analysis, evaluation, and comparison of regulations and processes governing residential building construction in the 18 states most vulnerable to catastrophic hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
