Building Codes
State and Local Building Codes
Construction codes establish the minimum requirements for the built environment to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare. These standards for “structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation” have an intended goal of “safety to life and property from fire and other hazards”. An often unrecognized result of these standards is higher quality buildings that hold their value longer with less maintenance which normally helps to maintain stable property values. The related permit inspections provide a means of compliance verification for these standards.
Mandatory codes are established by state law and do not have to be adopted by local jurisdictions. Permissive codes must be individually adopted by local jurisdictions. Local ordinances provide for the administration of the code which includes permitting, inspections and enforcement. Our ordinance pertaining to construction codes is structured such that as the codes or code amendments adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs become state law simultaneously they become city ordinance. Note: Individual Georgia construction codes may be amended annually by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
State Codes
- For current Georgia Construction Codes (mandatory, permissive, and amendments) visit the Georgia Dep. of Community Affairs.
- For current Georgia Accessibility Codes, visit the State of Georgia, ADA Site
- For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, visit ADA.gov
- For additional information on building codes, visit the International Code Council (ICC)
Current Mandatory Codes as Adopted by DCA
- International Building Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022)
- International Residential Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- International Fire Code, 2018 Edition (Contact State Fire Marshal)
- National Fire Protection Association, Life Safety Code, 2018 edition
- International Plumbing Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022), (2023)
- International Mechanical Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- International Fuel Gas Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020), (2022)
- National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2021)
- International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 Edition, with Georgia Supplements and Amendments (2020), (2022), (2023)
- International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2020)
- For information and questions regarding the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), IFC Georgia Amendments or the Georgia Accessibility Code please contact the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Current Permissive Codes as Adopted by DCA and City of Decatur:
- International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2021)
- International Existing Building Code, 2018 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2021)
Disaster Resilient Building Code IBC Appendix(2013)(Not adopted by City of Decatur)Disaster Resilient Building Code IRC Appendix (2013)(Not adopted by City of Decatur)National Green Building Standard, 2008 Edition, with Georgia Amendments (2011)(Not adopted by City of Decatur. Green building standards are addressed in our High Performance Building Standards
Local Amendments to State Codes
Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) Section 8-2-25 (c) (7), effective July 1, 2000, the following local amendments are in force and effect in the City of Decatur and have been properly filed with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs:
| Name Of Code |
Section Amended
|
|---|---|
| International Building Code |
Section 202 - Definitions
|
|
Section D105[9] (formerly SBC 1994 Section F105[10] & SBC 1991 Section 3005)
|
|
|
Section 903.6 (formerly SBC 1994 Section 903.9 & SBC 1991 Section 901.9)
|
|
| International Residential Code |
Section R317.2 (formerly SBC 1994 Section 704.4 & SBC 1991 Section 403.5)
|
| International Fire Code |
Section 903.7 (formerly SFPC 1994 & 1991 Section 604)
|
Local Codes
- For City codes and regulations, consult the Unified Development Ordnance (UDO)
Enforcement
Code enforcement is tasked with enforcing codes in order to protect health, safety and general welfare. City of Decatur Code Enforcement is housed within the Public Works Department. The codes enforcement officer is vested by the City to uphold the code of ordinances and issue citations that require violators to appear in the City's municipal court
