Building codes exist to keep the people inside any structure safe. They also protect your largest investment. According to FEMA, building codes are sets of regulations governing the design, construction, alteration, and maintenance of structures. They specify the minimum requirements to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. The keyword is minimum.
What are the main building codes?
Several standardized building codes are maintained by the International Code Council (ICC). The ones most relevant to homeowners are the International Building Code (IBC), used for almost any new building; the International Residential Code (IRC), which applies to new one and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories; and the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), which applies to repairs, additions, or changes made to an existing structure.
You can find your community's current building codes by contacting your local building or planning department or by checking your community's website.
Why building to code is not always enough
The ICC updates building codes every 3 years, but adoption and enforcement vary significantly by state and community. Many jurisdictions adopt codes on a delayed cycle, and some areas have limited enforcement capacity. It is possible your home was built to an outdated standard, or that your community has not yet adopted the most recent code. To find out which code is currently enforced in your area, contact your local building or planning department.
Even homes built to the current code are designed to a minimum standard. Codes are written to protect life safety, meaning the goal is that occupants can escape. They are not designed to prevent major structural damage or protect your possessions during a severe storm.
Going beyond the code
FORTIFIED is a voluntary, beyond-code construction standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) based on more than two decades of research and real-world storm testing. It strengthens homes against hurricanes, high winds, hail, and tornadoes by addressing the specific vulnerabilities that standard codes leave unresolved.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study found that FORTIFIED Roof homes had 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses during Hurricane Sally than conventionally built homes. FORTIFIED designation has also been shown to increase home resale value by nearly 7%, and in states with enacted legislation, it qualifies homeowners for mandated insurance discounts of 20% to 55% off the wind portion of their premium.
SHA also works with communities to adopt Construction Code Supplements that incorporate FORTIFIED technical recommendations directly into local building codes, raising the floor for all new construction in a jurisdiction without requiring a voluntary designation. Learn More About FORTIFIED
Have questions about building codes or resilient construction in your community?