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Massachusetts

18 adopted codes · 40 cities tracked

Complete GuideMassachusetts State Building Code 10th Edition (780 CMR, based on 2021 ICC Codes with MA Amendments)Edition 2021Effective: 2024-01-01

State Building Authority

Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS)

Adopted Codes & Standards

International Building Code (IBC)

Statewide - Commercial/Multi-family

2021 with MA Amendments (10th Edition 780 CMR)

International Residential Code (IRC)

Statewide - One/Two-family Dwellings

2021 with MA Amendments (10th Edition 780 CMR)

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Statewide - Existing Buildings

2021 with MA Amendments

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Statewide - Mechanical Systems

2021 with MA Amendments

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Statewide - Fuel Gas Piping

2021 with MA Amendments

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Statewide - Energy Efficiency

2021 with MA Amendments

Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code

Opt-in Municipal - Enhanced Energy Efficiency (300+ communities adopted)

2023 (Appendix RC/CC)

Massachusetts Specialized Opt-in Code

Opt-in Municipal - All-Electric New Construction

2023

International Fire Code (IFC)

Statewide - Fire Prevention

2021 with MA Amendments (527 CMR)

National Electrical Code (NEC/NFPA 70)

Statewide - Electrical Systems

2023 with MA Amendments (527 CMR 12.00)

Massachusetts Plumbing Code

Statewide - Plumbing Systems

248 CMR (state-specific, not IPC)

ASCE 7 - Minimum Design Loads

Referenced - Structural Design Loads

2016

521 CMR - Architectural Access Board

Statewide - Accessibility (more stringent than ADA)

Current

524 CMR - Board of Elevator Regulations

Statewide - Elevators

Current

Massachusetts Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410)

Statewide - Housing/Sanitation

Current

Mandatory Codes (18)

IBC2021Amended

International Building Code

ICC·Building

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IBC2021Amended

International Building Code

ICC·Building

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IEBC2021Amended

International Existing Building Code

ICC·Existing Buildings

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IEBC2021Amended

International Existing Building Code

ICC·Existing Buildings

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IECC2021Amended

International Energy Conservation Code

ICC·Energy

Stretch Code adopted by 300+ communities

IECC2021Amended

International Energy Conservation Code

ICC·Energy

Stretch Code adopted by 300+ communities

IFC2021Amended

International Fire Code

ICC·Fire Safety

State Fire Marshal enforcement

IFC2021Amended

International Fire Code

ICC·Fire Safety

State Fire Marshal enforcement

IFGC2021Amended

International Fuel Gas Code

ICC·Fuel Gas

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IFGC2021Amended

International Fuel Gas Code

ICC·Fuel Gas

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IMC2021Amended

International Mechanical Code

ICC·Mechanical

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IMC2021Amended

International Mechanical Code

ICC·Mechanical

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IRC2021Amended

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

Effective Jan 1, 2024

IRC2021Amended

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

IRC 2021 - Massachusetts Building Code

IRC2021Amended

International Residential Code

ICC·Residential

Effective Jan 1, 2024

NFPA 702023Amended

National Electrical Code

NFPA·Electrical

Effective 2024

NFPA 702023Amended

National Electrical Code

NFPA·Electrical

NEC 2023 - Statewide with amendments

NFPA 702023Amended

National Electrical Code

NFPA·Electrical

Effective 2024

Important Notes

Massachusetts is unique: the State Building Code (780 CMR) applies UNIFORMLY statewide - municipalities CANNOT adopt local amendments or alternative codes. However, 300+ communities have opted into the Stretch Energy Code (more stringent energy requirements) and some have adopted the Specialized Opt-in Code (all-electric new construction). Massachusetts has its own plumbing code (248 CMR) rather than adopting the IPC. The 521 CMR Architectural Access Board requirements are more stringent than federal ADA standards.