Building Planning

A Dwelling Needs a Required Exterior Egress Door

How many exterior doors are required from a house, and does a patio door count?

R311.2

Bathrooms Need Natural Ventilation or Mechanical Exhaust

Does a bathroom need an operable window if it has an exhaust fan?

R303.3

Bedrooms Need Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings

Does every bedroom need an egress window or exterior door?

R310.1

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Required With Fuel-Burning Appliances or Attached Garages

When are carbon monoxide alarms required because of an attached garage, fireplace, furnace, water heater, or gas appliance?

R315.2

Dwelling Units Need Minimum Plumbing Fixtures

What plumbing fixtures are required for a dwelling unit?

R306.1

Egress Windows Must Meet Clear Opening and Sill Height Rules

What are the minimum egress window size, clear opening, sill height, and dimensions?

R310.2.1, R310.2.2

Exterior Doors Usually Need Landings at Each Side

Is a landing required at an exterior door, garage door, or door at the top of stairs?

R311.3

Finished Basements Must Meet Minimum Ceiling Height

What is the minimum ceiling height for a basement bedroom or finished basement?

R305.1

Fire Separation Distance Controls Walls and Openings Near Property Lines

How close can I build a house, addition, deck, or shed to the property line before I need fire-rated walls or protected openings?

R302.1

Garage and House Separation Requires Specific Drywall Protection

Does the wall between my garage and house need to be fire-rated, and what drywall is required?

R302.6

Garage-to-House Doors Must Meet IRC Opening Protection Rules

Does the door from the garage into the house have to be fire-rated, solid core, and self-closing?

R302.5.1

Guards Are Required Where Walking Surfaces Are More Than 30 Inches High

When is a guardrail required on a deck, porch, balcony, or stair landing?

R312.1.1

Guards Need Minimum Height and Limited Opening Size

How high do guards need to be, and what is the maximum baluster spacing?

R312.1.2, R312.1.3

Habitable Rooms Must Meet Minimum Floor Area Rules

What is the minimum size for a bedroom or habitable room?

R304.1

Habitable Rooms Need Required Light and Ventilation

Do bedrooms and living rooms need windows, or can mechanical ventilation satisfy the code?

R303.1

Residential Pool Barriers Must Limit Unsupervised Access

What fence or barrier is required around a residential swimming pool?

R326.1

Safety Glazing Is Required in Hazardous Locations

When does glass near a door, stair, shower, tub, or floor have to be tempered or safety glass?

R308.4

Sloped Ceilings Need Enough Compliant Headroom

How much low or sloped ceiling area is allowed in a finished attic, loft, or bonus room?

R305.1

Smoke Alarms Are Required in Bedrooms, Hallways, and Each Story

Where are smoke alarms required in a house, bedroom, hallway, basement, or each story?

R314.3

Smoke Alarms Often Need Power and Interconnection During Remodels

Do smoke alarms have to be hardwired and interconnected when remodeling or finishing a basement?

R314.4, R314.6

Stairways Need Consistent Risers, Proper Treads, Landings, Lighting, and Handrails

What stairway details does the IRC require beyond basic guard height?

R311.7

Townhouse Accessibility Depends on the Applicable Code Path

Do new single-family homes or townhouses have to be accessible or adaptable?

R320.1