Texas is one of the few states with no mandatory statewide building code for commercial construction. Code adoption and enforcement happen at the local level, which means the applicable codes can change from one city to the next. A project in Houston is reviewed under different code editions than one in Dallas, and projects in unincorporated county areas may have no building code at all.
If you are an engineer or architect working on a Texas project, verifying the locally adopted codes before you start design is not optional. Submitting drawings that reference the wrong code edition is one of the most preventable causes of plan review rejection.
How code adoption works in Texas
In most states, the legislature or a state agency adopts a statewide building code and local jurisdictions can add amendments. Texas works differently. There is no state building code agency with authority over commercial construction. Cities and counties adopt codes individually through local ordinances. Some adopt the latest ICC codes promptly, some run several editions behind, and some adopt codes with extensive local amendments.
There are a few exceptions where the state does mandate codes. The Texas Department of Insurance requires windstorm-resistant construction in designated coastal counties under the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) program. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) administers the Texas Accessibility Standards, which apply statewide regardless of local code adoption. And for residential construction, the IRC is mandatory for all cities with a population over 5,000 under Texas Local Government Code Section 214.212.
Major Texas cities and their adopted codes
The following table shows code editions adopted by major Texas jurisdictions as of early 2026. These can change when cities pass new ordinances, so always confirm with the local building department before starting design.
| City | IBC edition | NEC edition | Energy code | Notable local amendments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2021 IBC | 2023 NEC | 2021 IECC | City of Houston amendments (significant) |
| San Antonio | 2021 IBC | 2020 NEC | 2021 IECC | SAWS water conservation requirements |
| Dallas | 2021 IBC | 2020 NEC | 2021 IECC | Dallas amendments to IBC Ch. 11 (accessibility) |
| Austin | 2021 IBC | 2023 NEC | 2021 IECC (with local amendments) | Austin Energy Green Building requirements |
| Fort Worth | 2021 IBC | 2020 NEC | 2021 IECC | Follows ICC standard adoption cycle |
| El Paso | 2018 IBC | 2020 NEC | 2018 IECC | Often one cycle behind major cities |
| Unincorporated areas | Varies | Varies | Varies | May have no building code enforcement |
Note that code edition adoption varies significantly by discipline within the same city. A jurisdiction may adopt the 2021 IBC for structural and architectural but still be on the 2020 NEC for electrical. Always verify each discipline's code edition independently.
Texas-specific code requirements
Windstorm resistance (coastal counties)
The Texas Department of Insurance designates coastal counties that require windstorm-resistant construction for eligibility in the TWIA insurance program. These counties include areas along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville to Beaumont. Projects in these areas must comply with the TDI windstorm building code, which includes specific requirements for roof-to-wall connections, opening protection, and wind speed design criteria that may exceed the base IBC wind provisions. A WPI-8 certificate of compliance is required before the building can be insured through TWIA.
Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS)
The Texas Accessibility Standards apply statewide and are administered by TDLR. TAS is based on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design but includes Texas-specific amendments. Projects subject to TAS must be registered with TDLR and inspected for accessibility compliance. TAS applies to all commercial and public buildings and to multifamily residential buildings with four or more units. The registration and inspection requirement catches out-of- state firms who are accustomed to ADA review being handled by the local building department.
Mandatory IRC for residential
Under Texas Local Government Code Section 214.212, cities with a population over 5,000 must adopt the IRC (or an equivalent residential code) for one- and two-family dwellings. Cities can adopt amendments, but they cannot opt out of having a residential code entirely. This does not apply to unincorporated county areas, where residential construction may still have no code requirement depending on the county.
How to verify codes for your project
The most reliable source for current code adoption is the local building department. Most Texas cities post their adopted codes on their building permit or development services web pages. For a new project, verify the following before you start design:
Which IBC edition is adopted, and are there local amendments? Which NEC edition is adopted? Which energy code applies (IECC edition or local equivalent)? Is the project in a TWIA-designated windstorm area? Does the project require TDLR accessibility registration? Are there any special district requirements (historic districts, flood zones, Edwards Aquifer recharge zones in central Texas)?
For multi-site or multi-jurisdiction projects, do not assume that what applied in one Texas city will apply in the next. The patchwork nature of Texas code adoption means you need to verify independently for each project location.
Unincorporated areas and ETJs
Projects in unincorporated areas of Texas counties may have limited or no building code enforcement. Some counties have adopted building codes voluntarily, but many have not. Extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs) around cities may or may not be subject to the city's building code depending on the city's ordinances. If a project is in an ETJ, confirm with both the city and the county whether building permits and inspections are required.
Even without a local building code, projects may still need to comply with federal requirements (ADA for public accommodations), state requirements (TAS, TWIA), and insurance requirements that reference specific code editions. Lenders and insurance carriers often require IBC compliance regardless of local enforcement.