12 adopted codes · 13 cities tracked
Department of Buildings (DOB)
International Building Code (IBC)
District-wide — All commercial and multi-family construction
International Residential Code (IRC)
District-wide — One/Two-family dwellings
International Fire Code (IFC)
District-wide — Fire prevention and safety
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
District-wide — Plumbing systems
International Mechanical Code (IMC)
District-wide — Mechanical systems
International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
District-wide — Fuel gas piping
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
District-wide — Energy efficiency
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
District-wide — Existing building alterations
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
District-wide — Property maintenance
International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
District-wide — Green building requirements
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
District-wide — Pools and spas
National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70)
District-wide — Electrical systems
International Existing Building Code
IEBC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Energy Conservation Code
IECC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Fire Code
IFC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Fuel Gas Code
IFGC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Green Construction Code
IgCC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Mechanical Code
IMC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Plumbing Code
IPC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Property Maintenance Code
IPMC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
ISPSC 2015 adopted with DC amendments effective May 29, 2020
National Electrical Code
NEC 2014 (NFPA 70) adopted district-wide
Washington D.C. is a federal district (not a state) with a unique building code system. The Home Rule Act gives the District government authority to enact its own laws including building codes. The 2017 DC Construction Codes are based on the 2015 ICC codes with extensive DC-specific amendments — effective May 29, 2020. The entire District is served by a single Department of Buildings (DOB) — there are no separate municipal building departments. The District is divided into 8 wards for political representation. Historic preservation is a major consideration — approximately 30% of the District is within historic districts. The Height of Buildings Act of 1910 limits building heights. Green building requirements under the DC Green Building Act apply to certain projects. The District has one of the most stringent energy codes in the nation with DC-specific IECC amendments.