Ohio building code
Ohio has adopted 2024 OBC based on 2021 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Ohio cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2024 Ohio codes (OBC/OMC/OPC/OEBC on 2021 I-Codes, eff. 2024-03-01); 2019 RCO (2018 IRC); 2025 Ohio Fire Code (2021 IFC, eff. 2025-11-20)
- Prior edition
- 2017 Ohio Building Code (2015 IBC base) with amendments through 2018-08-01; projects submitted before 2024-03-01 remain under it
- Code authority
- Ohio Board of Building Standards (Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance); Ohio Fire Code by Division of State Fire Marshal
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2024-03-01 may still be reviewed under the 2017 Ohio Building Code (2015 IBC base) with amendments through 2018-08-01; projects submitted before 2024-03-01 remain under it.
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2024 OBC based on 2021 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2019 RCO based on 2018 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2024 OEBC based on 2021 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2025 OFC based on 2021 IFC (plus 2024 IFC Chapter 12 for energy storage systems) | n/a |
| Electrical | 2023 NEC (via OBC Ch. 27/35) based on NFPA 70-2023 | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2024 OMC based on 2021 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2024 OPC based on 2021 IPC | n/a |
| Energy | 2024 (OBC) / 2019 (RCO) OBC Chapter 13 (commercial) / RCO Chapter 11 (residential) based on 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 (commercial); 2018 IRC Chapter 11 (residential) | n/a |
| Accessibility | 2024 (within OBC) OBC Chapter 11 / ICC A117.1 based on 2021 IBC Ch. 11 with ICC A117.1-2017 (new construction/additions) and A117.1-2009 (alterations/change of occupancy) | n/a |
Overlays that can apply
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Ohio. 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://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/ohio
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/OHBC2024P1
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/OHEBC2024P1
- https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/documents/2024%20Ohio%20Building%20Code%20Rules%20Effective%20March%201,%202024.pdf
- https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4101:8-1-01
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/ohio/Ohio-Admin-Code-4101-1-35-01
- https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-1301:7-7-01
- https://codes.ohio.gov/assets/laws/administrative-code/rules/1301/7/1301$7-7-01_eff_11_20_25.pdf
- https://toledo.oh.gov/news/2024/03/01/ohio-board-of-building-standards-2024-code-update-information
- https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3781.10
- https://www.icc-nta.org/states/ohio/
Common questions
What building code does Ohio use?
Ohio uses 2024 OBC based on 2021 IBC. It is administered by the Ohio Board of Building Standards (Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance); Ohio Fire Code by Division of State Fire Marshal. The prior edition was 2017 Ohio Building Code (2015 IBC base) with amendments through 2018-08-01; projects submitted before 2024-03-01 remain under it.
Do cities in Ohio 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 Ohio?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2024-03-01 may still be reviewed under the 2017 Ohio Building Code (2015 IBC base) with amendments through 2018-08-01; projects submitted before 2024-03-01 remain under it.
Check a plan set against Ohio 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.
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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.