Alabama · Building code

The building code in force in Alabama now.

2021 International Building Code, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 355-12-1, amended eff. Mar 17, 2025. Enforced by Alabama Dept of Finance, Division of Construction Management (plan review, inspection for covered buildings); municipalities/counties set codes for everything else. Verified on the primary source, re-checked weekly.

Enter a Alabama ZIP code for the building view

Building code in Alabama

Verified on the source
In force

2021 International Building Code, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 355-12-1, amended eff. Mar 17, 2025

Covers only state-owned/state-funded buildings, public and private schools (25+ occupants), hotels with 15+ bedrooms, and movie theaters; all other private construction is set by local jurisdictions, not this code.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Alabama Dept of Finance, Division of Construction Management (plan review, inspection for covered buildings); municipalities/counties set codes for everything else

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; the building view resolves them from your ZIP.

What changes next

In force

Mar 17, 2025 amendment folded in select 2024 IBC provisions; no further edition or date scheduled on DCM's page

Questions about the building code in Alabama

Which building code applies in Alabama today?

2021 International Building Code, Ala. Admin. Code ch. 355-12-1, amended eff. Mar 17, 2025. Covers only state-owned/state-funded buildings, public and private schools (25+ occupants), hotels with 15+ bedrooms, and movie theaters; all other private construction is set by local jurisdictions, not this code.

Who enforces the building code in Alabama?

Alabama Dept of Finance, Division of Construction Management (plan review, inspection for covered buildings); municipalities/counties set codes for everything else.

What changes next for the building code in Alabama?

Nothing is scheduled. The rule above stays in force until the state adopts a newer edition or amends the program; AHJ Radar re-checks the source weekly.

Other areas in Alabama

Everything in force in Alabama

Priced per building. Your whole team is included.

One address, every authority that can cite it, and a record of who saw what. Cancel anytime. Public pages stay free.