The Wisconsin Commercial Building Code is based on the 2015 International Building Code (IBC).
The statewide code for newer homes in Wisconsin is the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC). Municipalities can choose whether or not to adopt a more or less stringent code.
Building Code Compliance Software for Wisconsin
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 2015 IBC and Plan Analyst for the 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 Wisconsin have included:
| Architecture North |
| Martinson Architects, Inc |
| Mikes Home Improvements |
| Plunkett Raysich Architects |
| St. Croix Log Works LLC |
| Strand Associates, Inc |
| Tallgrass Consulting, Inc |
| TCI Architects Engineers Contractor |
| Wausau Homes, Inc |
Building and Residential Code Resources in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Code Officials Alliance
- Uniform Dwelling Code Council
- Department of Safety and Professional Services online bookstore
- View the 2015 International Building Code free online via ICC
- Buy the Wisconsin I-Codes from ICC
- Purchase Plan Analyst for the IBC and IRC to automate and simplify your plan reviews / code studies plananalyst.com.
- The ICC General Code website provides access to some municipal codes.
Energy Code Compliance Software for Wisconsin
Visit the U.S. Department of Energy website to see the latest on energy code adoption in Wisconsin, including the use of COMcheck and REScheck 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. REScheck product enables builders, designers, and contractors to determine whether new homes, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC or a number of state energy codes.
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 Wisconsin’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. Wisconsin is in FEMA Region 5. Read the 2024 Region 5 fact sheet showing the annual metric of the percent of communities adopting hazard-resistant building codes in Wisconsin.
AIA and ICC
American Institute of Architects – AIA Wisconsin represents architects in the state. There are nearly 4,500 registered and reciprocal architects in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has several ICC Chapters.
Wisconsin code adoption status on the ICC website