Puerto Rico building code
Puerto Rico has adopted 2018 PRBC (Puerto Rico Building Code) based on 2018 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Puerto Rico cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2018 Puerto Rico Codes (Códigos de Puerto Rico 2018), a compilation of the 2018 I-Codes with Puerto Rico amendments, effective 2018-11-15
- Prior edition
- 2011 Puerto Rico Codes (based on 2009 I-Codes)
- Code authority
- Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos (OGPe), Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio (DDEC); code development via the Puerto Rico Building Code Council (Consejo de Códigos de Construcción) under Act 161-2009 as amended by Act 109-2018
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2019-02-15 (2018 codes effective 2018-11-15 with a 3-month grace period allowing 2011-code submittals through 2019-02-15) may still be reviewed under the 2011 Puerto Rico Codes (based on 2009 I-Codes).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2018 PRBC (Puerto Rico Building Code) based on 2018 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2018 PRRC (Puerto Rico Residential Code) based on 2018 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2018 PREBC (Puerto Rico Existing Building Code) based on 2018 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2018 PRFC (Puerto Rico Fire Code) based on 2018 IFC | n/a |
| Electrical | 2017 NEC (NFPA 70) via PRBC 2018 Chapter 27 based on 2017 NFPA 70 | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2018 PRMC (Puerto Rico Mechanical Code) based on 2018 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2018 PRPC (Puerto Rico Plumbing Code) based on 2018 IPC | n/a |
| Energy | 2018 PRECC (Puerto Rico Energy Conservation Code) based on 2018 IECC | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2018 PRFGC (Puerto Rico Fuel Gas Code) based on 2018 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 Puerto Rico. 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.
- Hurricane wind-borne debris region
- FEMA mapped flood hazard area
- Seismic design category overlay
- California Coastal Zone
Sources
- https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/puerto-rico
- https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/adoptions-map/puerto-rico/
- https://www.permisos.pr.gov/codigosdeconstruccion
- https://up.codes/viewer/puerto_rico/ibc-2018/chapter/27/electrical
- https://www.icc-nta.org/states/puerto-rico/
- https://www.telemundopr.com/noticias/puerto-rico/anuncian-adopcion-de-nuevos-codigos-de-construccion-para-puerto-rico/103788/
Common questions
What building code does Puerto Rico use?
Puerto Rico uses 2018 PRBC (Puerto Rico Building Code) based on 2018 IBC. It is administered by the Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos (OGPe), Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio (DDEC); code development via the Puerto Rico Building Code Council (Consejo de Códigos de Construcción) under Act 161-2009 as amended by Act 109-2018. The prior edition was 2011 Puerto Rico Codes (based on 2009 I-Codes).
Do cities in Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2019-02-15 (2018 codes effective 2018-11-15 with a 3-month grace period allowing 2011-code submittals through 2019-02-15) may still be reviewed under the 2011 Puerto Rico Codes (based on 2009 I-Codes).
Check a plan set against Puerto Rico 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.