Rhode Island building code
Rhode Island has adopted 2025 RISBC-1 Rhode Island Building Code based on 2021 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Rhode Island cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- Rhode Island State Building Code (RISBC series), 2021 I-Codes + 2023 NEC + 2024 IECC, effective December 1, 2025 (fire code NFPA 1-2021 effective March 1, 2026)
- Prior edition
- Prior RISBC series based on the 2018 I-Codes (per ICC Jan 2024 adoption chart; prior editions not independently re-verified from primary sources this session)
- Code authority
- Rhode Island Building Code Commission / Building Code Standards Committee (building codes, RICR Title 510); Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review / State Fire Marshal (fire codes, RICR Title 450)
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-01 may still be reviewed under the Prior RISBC series based on the 2018 I-Codes (per ICC Jan 2024 adoption chart; prior editions not independently re-verified from primary sources this session).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2025 RISBC-1 Rhode Island Building Code based on 2021 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2025 RISBC-2 Rhode Island One and Two Family Dwelling Code based on 2021 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2025 Rhode Island Existing Building Code (510-RICR-00-00-7) + RISRC-1 Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code (510-RICR-00-00-20) based on 2021 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2026 Rhode Island Fire Code (450-RICR-00-00-7) based on 2021 NFPA 1 | n/a |
| Electrical | 2025 RISBC-5 Rhode Island Electrical Code based on 2023 NEC (NFPA 70) | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2025 RISBC-4 Rhode Island Mechanical Code based on 2021 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2025 RISBC-3 Rhode Island Plumbing Code based on 2021 IPC | n/a |
| Energy | 2025 RISBC-8 Rhode Island Energy Conservation Code based on 2024 IECC | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2025 RISBC-19 Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code based on 2021 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 Rhode Island. 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
- California Coastal Zone
Sources
- https://ribcc.ri.gov/forms-resources/laws-rules-and-regulations
- https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/open-government-center/rules-and-regulations/building-and-fire-codes
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-1
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-2
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-3
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-4
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-5
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-7
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-8
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-19
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-20
- https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/450-00-00-7
Common questions
What building code does Rhode Island use?
Rhode Island uses 2025 RISBC-1 Rhode Island Building Code based on 2021 IBC. It is administered by the Rhode Island Building Code Commission / Building Code Standards Committee (building codes, RICR Title 510); Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review / State Fire Marshal (fire codes, RICR Title 450). The prior edition was Prior RISBC series based on the 2018 I-Codes (per ICC Jan 2024 adoption chart; prior editions not independently re-verified from primary sources this session).
Do cities in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-01 may still be reviewed under the Prior RISBC series based on the 2018 I-Codes (per ICC Jan 2024 adoption chart; prior editions not independently re-verified from primary sources this session).
Check a plan set against Rhode Island 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.