Alabama Building and Residential Codes

Building Code: The Alabama Department of Finance, Division of Construction Management is responsible for the adoption and enforcement of the state building code.  The 2021 International Building Code is currently in effect in Alabama having been adopted July 1st, 2022.

Residential Code: The Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board is responsible for the adoption and enforcement of the state residential code.  The 2015 International Residential Code (with several Alabama specific modifications) is currently in effect in Alabama.

Building Code Compliance Software for Alabama

Plan Analyst code compliance software programs make it easy for building officials, architects and other designers to quickly perform commercial and residential building code plan reviews / code studies. Plan Analyst for the 2021 IBC and Plan Analyst for the 2015 IRC simplifies the plan review / code study process enabling compliance to specific code years. 

This proven software allows modifications to accommodate local amendments, where applicable.  Users have the ability to add code requirements and to add to the checklist.  Changes can be made permanent by changing the data file using the setup section of Plan Analyst, or specific reports can be edited for special conditions.

Plan Analyst Calculators: Deck – Sign – Beam & Column

Plan Analyst Deck, Sign and Beam & Column Calculators are additional simple and effective design and code review software tools that will quickly become your go-to resources when working on associated tasks.

Users of Plan Analyst in Alabama have included:

City of BirminghamCenter Point Architects
City of DecaturGator Sign Factory
City of GardendaleImage Designs
City of MontgomeryModern Signs
City of Rainbow CitySouthern Sign & Graphics
Madison CountyWisdom & Associates
Shelby CountyWRICO Signs

Building and Residential Code Resources for Alabama

Energy Code Compliance Software for Alabama

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy website to see the latest on energy code adoption in Alabama, including the use of COMcheck Energy Code compliance software.

COMcheck enables architects, builders, designers, and contractors to determine whether new commercial or high-rise residential buildings, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1.

The “Building Codes Assistance Project” also provides information on Alabama’s building energy codes.

FEMA Building Code Adoption Tracking

The FEMA Building Code Adoption Tracking program reports on the status of hazard-resistant building code adoption in each state. Alabama is in FEMA Region 4. Read the 2023 Region 4 fact sheet showing the annual metric of the percent of communities adopting hazard-resistant building codes in Alabama.

AIA and ICC

American Institute of Architects (Alabama Council AIA) – AIA Alabama represents architects in the state.  There are over 2,500 registered and reciprocal architects in Alabama.

Alabama has several ICC Chapters.

Alabama code adoption status on the ICC website.