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 Birmingham | Center Point Architects |
| City of Decatur | Gator Sign Factory |
| City of Gardendale | Image Designs |
| City of Montgomery | Modern Signs |
| City of Rainbow City | Southern Sign & Graphics |
| Madison County | Wisdom & Associates |
| Shelby County | WRICO Signs |
Building and Residential Code Resources for Alabama
- Code Officials Association of Alabama
- View the 2021 International Building Code free online via ICC
- View the 2015 International Residential Code free online via ICC
- Alabama Building Commission website
- Alabama plan review submittal requirements
- Purchase Plan Analyst for the IBC and or IRC to automate and simplify your plan reviews / code studies plananalyst.com.
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.
DOE’s EnergyPlus™ is a whole building energy simulation (BEM) program that engineers, architects, and researchers use to model both energy consumption (for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and plug and process loads) and water use in buildings. It supports a number of public and private-sector tools and services including EP3. EP3 is a user interface for EnergyPlus™ designed to streamline workflows for building energy modelers. EP3 is well-suited for tasks like modeling ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G baselines and evaluating energy efficiency measures in new and existing buildings.
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 2024 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.