10 adopted codes · 77 cities tracked
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — limited scope; local building departments enforce codes
International Residential Code (IRC)
Residential — one- and two-family dwellings
International Building Code (IBC)
Commercial and multifamily construction
National Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70)
Electrical installations statewide
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Plumbing systems
International Mechanical Code (IMC)
Mechanical / HVAC systems
International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
Fuel gas piping and appliances
International Fire Code (IFC)
Fire prevention and life safety
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Energy efficiency requirements
International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
Renovations and alterations of existing buildings
ASCE 7 - Minimum Design Loads
Structural loads including wind, seismic
Texas Windstorm Building Code (TDI)
Coastal counties — windstorm resistance construction
NFPA 1 - Uniform Fire Code
Fire safety inspections per state law
Texas is unique in that it does not mandate a single statewide building code. State law sets minimum standards (IRC for residential, IBC for commercial) but each of the 1,200+ incorporated cities can adopt their own code editions and local amendments. Unincorporated areas (outside city limits) in most counties have NO building code requirements. The 15 Gulf Coast counties have additional windstorm requirements enforced by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). North Texas is one of the most hail-prone regions in the U.S. The NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments) coordinates regional code adoption for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Texas has 254 counties — more than any other state.