North Dakota building code
North Dakota has adopted 2024 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the North Dakota cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2026 North Dakota State Building Code (2024 I-Codes: IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC/IEBC with ND amendments), effective January 1, 2026
- Prior edition
- 2023 North Dakota State Building Code (2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC/IEBC), effective January 1, 2023
- Code authority
- North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services (building); ND State Electrical Board (electrical); ND State Plumbing Board (plumbing); ND State Fire Marshal (fire)
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2023 North Dakota State Building Code (2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC/IEBC), effective January 1, 2023.
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2024 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2024 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2024 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2021 IFC | n/a |
| Electrical | 2023 NEC based on 2023 NEC (NFPA 70) | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2024 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2018 NDPC based on 2018 UPC (IAPMO) | n/a |
| Energy | 2024 IECC | n/a |
| Accessibility | 2010 2010 ADA Standards based on 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (28 CFR 35/36) | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2024 IFGC | n/a |
Overlays that can apply
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for North Dakota. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.
- FEMA mapped flood hazard area
Sources
- https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/building-codes
- https://www.medialibrary.nd.gov/assetbank-nd/assetfile/156311.pdf
- https://www.commerce.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/Community%20Services/Building%20Codes/2025%20BLDGcode%20amendment%20schedule.pdf
- https://www.ndseb.com/laws-rules/
- https://www.ndseb.com/image/cache/2023_Laws_Rules_and_Wiring_Standards_of_ND_Booklet.pdf
- https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/45-18-01.pdf
- https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/62-03.1-01.pdf
- https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/adoptions-map/north-dakota/
Common questions
What building code does North Dakota use?
North Dakota uses 2024 IBC. It is administered by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services (building); ND State Electrical Board (electrical); ND State Plumbing Board (plumbing); ND State Fire Marshal (fire). The prior edition was 2023 North Dakota State Building Code (2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC/IEBC), effective January 1, 2023.
Do cities in North Dakota amend the state code?
Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.
Which edition applies to a permit already in review in North Dakota?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2023 North Dakota State Building Code (2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFGC/IECC/IEBC), effective January 1, 2023.
Check a plan set against North Dakota code
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
Your first check is free, no card required.
Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.