11 adopted codes · 61 cities tracked
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Section
International Building Code (IBC)
Commercial and multifamily construction — MANDATORY
International Residential Code (IRC)
One- and two-family dwellings — MANDATORY
International Fire Code (IFC)
Fire prevention and life safety — MANDATORY (State Fire Marshal)
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Plumbing systems — MANDATORY
International Mechanical Code (IMC)
Mechanical / HVAC systems — MANDATORY
International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
Fuel gas piping and appliances — MANDATORY
National Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70)
Electrical installations — MANDATORY
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Energy efficiency — MANDATORY (older edition retained)
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
Pool and spa construction — MANDATORY
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
Property maintenance — PERMISSIVE (optional)
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
Renovations and alterations — PERMISSIVE (optional)
National Green Building Standard (NGBS)
Green building — PERMISSIVE (optional)
NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
Life safety — enforced by State Fire Marshal
Georgia Accessibility Code
Accessibility — enforced by State Fire Marshal
ASCE 7 - Minimum Design Loads
Structural loads including wind, seismic, flood
International Energy Conservation Code
IECC 2015 with Georgia Supplements and Amendments — older edition retained
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
ISPSC 2024 with Georgia Amendments — effective Jan 1, 2026
Georgia has MANDATORY statewide building codes — unlike Texas, every jurisdiction must enforce at least the state minimum codes. The DCA Board of Community Affairs adopts codes and Georgia Amendments. Local jurisdictions may adopt MORE restrictive codes but cannot go below the state minimum. As of January 1, 2026, Georgia adopted the 2024 ICC code editions (previously on 2018 editions). The IECC remains at the 2015 edition with Georgia supplements — significantly older than other codes. Georgia has 159 counties (second most after Texas). The 6 coastal counties have enhanced wind requirements. Atlanta has additional local amendments. The State Fire Marshal enforces the IFC, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and Georgia Accessibility Code separately from DCA.