--- title: "Iowa Building Codes In 2026: Why Your City's Rules Differ" description: "Iowa adopted the 2024 IRC in September 2025, but cities adopt their own editions. Waukee is on 2024, Norwalk on 2021. How to find what applies to you." url: "https://busybuildersiowa.com/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences/" --- Busy Builders # Iowa Building Codes in 2026: Why Your City’s Rules Differ - [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) - [August 19, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/2026/08/19/) - 6:00 am Iowa adopted the 2024 International Residential Code statewide in September 2025, but that is not the whole story. Cities across Central Iowa adopt their own code editions on their own schedules, which means the rules that apply to your project depend on which side of a city line you live on. This guide explains what changed, why cities differ, and how to find out what applies to you. **TLDR:** Iowa’s statewide residential code moved to the **2024 IRC** effective September 10, 2025. Cities can and do adopt different editions. [Waukee](https://busybuildersiowa.com/waukee/) is on the 2024 International Building and Fire Code while [Norwalk](https://busybuildersiowa.com/norwalk/) is on the 2021 International Building Code. Always confirm the edition with your own city before you design, budget, or sign anything. --- ## What Actually Changed in September 2025 Iowa’s residential building requirements live in the Iowa Administrative Code, agency 481, chapter 301. That chapter adopted the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code effective September 10, 2025, replacing the previous edition. For most homeowners this is invisible. You do not read code books, and you should not have to. It matters in one practical way: a contractor quoting your project against an older code edition may be planning work that no longer passes inspection, or may be adding cost for a requirement that has changed. Iowa’s chapter also includes state-specific substitutions rather than adopting the model code wholesale. The egress requirements for basement bedrooms are the clearest example, where Iowa substitutes its own section in place of the model code’s version. **Pro Tip 1:** You do not need to read the code. You need one sentence from your contractor: “Which code edition is your city on, and are you quoting to it?” A good answer is specific. A vague answer is information too. ## Why Your City May Be Different Here is the part that surprises people. The state sets a floor. Cities adopt their own editions of the building, fire, and related codes, and they do it on their own timelines, usually tied to budget cycles and staff capacity. We verified this directly across Central Iowa. Two cities roughly twenty five minutes apart are on editions three years apart. City Adopted edition (verified July 2026) What that means Waukee 2024 International Building and Fire Code Aligned with the newer state residential edition Norwalk 2021 International Building Code An earlier edition still in force locally Statewide residential floor 2024 IRC, effective September 10, 2025 Iowa Administrative Code 481-301.8 The takeaway is not that one city is better than another. It is that “Iowa code” is not a single answer, and a contractor who works across the metro has to track this city by city. **Pro Tip 2:** If your project sits near a city boundary, confirm which jurisdiction actually issues your permit before you assume. Mailing address and permitting authority are not always the same thing. ## Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Are Separate Residential building code is only one of the code families that touch a remodel. Iowa adopts electrical, plumbing, and mechanical requirements separately, and those cycles do not line up with the residential cycle. Code family Iowa status as of 2026 Who performs the work Residential building 2024 IRC, effective Sept 10, 2025 Registered general contractor coordinates Electrical 2023 National Electrical Code Licensed electrician Plumbing 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code Licensed plumber Mechanical 2024 International Mechanical Code Licensed HVAC technician Notice the pattern in the right column. General contractors in Iowa are registered, not licensed. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians hold actual state licenses. Anyone using those words interchangeably is worth a second look. **Pro Tip 3:** Ask who is pulling each permit. On a project with plumbing and electrical, the trade permits are usually pulled by the licensed trades, not by the general contractor. **Pro Tip 4:** Keep copies of every permit and inspection sign-off. They are the cheapest resale documentation you will ever collect. ## How to Find Your City’s Edition You do not need to guess. Every city that issues building permits publishes its adopted codes, usually on the building or community development page. Step What to do Typical time 1 Search your city name plus “building permits” 2 minutes 2 Look for an “adopted codes” or “codes and ordinances” section 5 minutes 3 Call the permit office if the page is unclear One phone call 4 Ask your contractor to confirm they are quoting to that edition Part of your first meeting That sequence takes about fifteen minutes and it removes the single most common source of mid-project surprise on permitted work. **Pro Tip 5:** Smaller Iowa towns sometimes contract inspection services to the county or a shared regional inspector. If your city has no building department, ask the city clerk who performs inspections. **Pro Tip 6:** Call before you finalize a design, not after. A code question answered in week one costs nothing. The same question answered after framing costs real money. ## What This Means for Common Projects Code edition rarely changes whether you can do a project. It changes the details. Illustrative scenario: A Waukee homeowner planning a basement bedroom confirmed the city was on the 2024 International Building and Fire Code, then confirmed egress sizing against Iowa’s own administrative rule rather than the model code default. The window well was sized correctly on the first submittal and the permit cleared without a revision. Illustrative scenario: A Norwalk family assumed the state’s 2024 residential adoption automatically applied to every aspect of their addition. Their contractor confirmed the city was still on the 2021 International Building Code and adjusted the submittal accordingly, avoiding a plan review correction. Illustrative scenario: An [Ankeny](https://busybuildersiowa.com/ankeny/) homeowner planning a kitchen remodel with a panel upgrade learned the electrical work fell under the 2023 National Electrical Code on a separate cycle from the building code, and that a licensed electrician had to pull that permit separately. **Pro Tip 7:** Basement bedrooms are the single most common place code details bite. Egress sizing is not a place to guess or to trust a generic online article. **Pro Tip 8:** If a contractor tells you a permit is not needed for work that involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes, treat that as a serious warning sign. ## Registered Versus Licensed in Iowa This distinction confuses almost everyone, and it matters when you are checking credentials. Iowa requires anyone performing construction work and earning $2,000 or more per year to register as a contractor with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. That is registration. It confirms the business is in compliance with unemployment insurance and workers compensation requirements. It is not a skills test. Separately, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians hold state licenses that do involve testing and continuing education. Busy Builders is a registered Iowa contractor, Registration #C140184, and we coordinate licensed trades on the work that requires them. **Pro Tip 9:** Verify registration yourself through the state rather than taking a number on faith. It takes two minutes. **Pro Tip 10:** An active registration means the business is compliant, not that the work will be good. References and past projects still matter more. ## Budgeting Around Code Requirements Code compliance is not usually a large line item, but it is not free either, and it is the part homeowners most often leave out of a budget. Item Typical range Notes Building permit $75 to $600+ Scales with project valuation, varies by city Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) $50 to $250 each Pulled by the licensed trade Plan review Included to $300 Larger or structural projects more likely to incur Revision resubmittal $0 to $200 Avoidable with an accurate first submittal Egress window and well (basement bedroom) $3,500 to $7,500 The most common code-driven cost on a basement The lesson from that table is that the permit itself is small. The code-driven construction requirements, egress being the classic example, are where the real money sits. **Pro Tip 11:** Build permit and inspection costs into your budget from day one. They are small, predictable, and endlessly annoying to discover late. **Pro Tip 12:** If your project scope changes mid-build, ask immediately whether the permit needs to be amended. Finishing work that falls outside an issued permit is the most expensive way to learn this lesson. For the wider picture on how permits work in practice, our guide to [navigating the permit process in Iowa](https://busybuildersiowa.com/navigating-home-building-permits-in-iowa/) walks through the steps in order. You can also see how we handle [remodeling projects](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-remodeling/) generally, or check which [communities we work in](https://busybuildersiowa.com/service-area/) across Central Iowa. Primary sources are worth going to directly. Iowa’s residential building chapter is published as [Iowa Administrative Code 481-301](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/chapter/481.301.pdf). Contractor registration is administered by the [Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing](https://dial.iowa.gov/). For broader housing and construction data, the [U.S. Census Bureau’s residential construction figures](https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/) track national and regional activity. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Which building code does Iowa use in 2026?** Iowa adopted the 2024 International Residential Code effective September 10, 2025, under Iowa Administrative Code 481, chapter 301. That is the statewide residential floor. Your city may enforce a different edition of the building and fire codes, so confirm locally before designing or budgeting. **Why does my city use a different code than the state?** Cities adopt code editions on their own schedules, typically tied to budget and staffing. The state sets requirements that apply broadly, but municipal adoption of the building and fire codes happens city by city. Waukee and Norwalk are a live example, on the 2024 and 2021 editions respectively as of July 2026. **Do I need a permit for my remodel?** If the work involves plumbing, electrical, structural changes, or adding habitable space, almost certainly yes. Purely cosmetic work such as paint, trim, and fixture swaps usually does not. Requirements vary by city, so confirm your specific scope with your local permit office before starting. **What is the difference between a registered contractor and a licensed tradesperson in Iowa?** Iowa requires general contractors earning $2,000 or more per year to register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. That is registration, confirming insurance and tax compliance. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians hold separate state licenses that involve testing. Both matter, and they are not the same thing. **How do I find out which code edition my city uses?** Search your city name plus “building permits” and look for an adopted codes section, or call the permit office directly. If your town has no building department, ask the city clerk who performs inspections, since smaller Iowa communities often contract to the county or a shared inspector. **Does a code change mean my existing home is now out of compliance?** No. Code editions generally apply to new work, not retroactively to existing construction that was permitted and approved under an earlier edition. Where it can matter is when you remodel, since the new work typically has to meet current requirements even in an older home. ## Key Takeaways **The state floor** – Iowa adopted the 2024 IRC effective September 10, 2025 – The rule lives in Iowa Administrative Code 481, chapter 301 – Iowa substitutes its own language in places rather than adopting the model code wholesale **Local variation is real** – Waukee is on the 2024 International Building and Fire Code – Norwalk is on the 2021 International Building Code – Confirm your own city before you design or budget **Trades run on separate cycles** – Electrical follows the 2023 National Electrical Code – Plumbing follows the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code – Those permits are pulled by licensed trades, not the general contractor **Credentials** – General contractors in Iowa are registered, not licensed – Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs are licensed – Verify registration through the state before signing ## Questions About Your Project’s Code Requirements? We have completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa since 2020, in cities on several different code editions. We will tell you which rules apply to your address and quote to them. Free consultation, no pressure, no obligation. Call: [844-435-9800](tel:844-435-9800) Written warranty on workmanship (details provided in your contract). --- *Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not project-specific advice. Code editions and adoption dates change, and municipal adoptions vary by city; the local adoptions cited here were verified in July 2026 and should be reconfirmed with your city before you rely on them. Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction; verify current requirements with your local building authority before starting any project. Cost figures are planning estimates that vary by scope, materials, site conditions, and current pricing. Structural changes require evaluation by a qualified professional. No specific outcomes are guaranteed. Consult a registered contractor for guidance specific to your project, and note that electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is performed by licensed trade professionals.* Busy Builders | Full-Service Construction and Remodeling | Serving Central Iowa Since 2020 [PrevPreviousBasement Finishing Costs in Norwalk: 2026 Guide](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-costs-norwalk-2026/) [NextDeck Building Costs in Indianola: 2026 GuideNext](https://busybuildersiowa.com/deck-building-costs-indianola-2026/) #### Table of Contents [August 18, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-costs-norwalk-2026/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Basement Finishing Costs in Norwalk: 2026 Guide](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-costs-norwalk-2026/) Most Norwalk basement finishing projects run $35,000 to $85,000. Cost by scope, permits through the Building Department, and Iowa egress requirements. [August 15, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-cost-boxholm-iowa-2026/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Basement Finishing Cost in Boxholm, Iowa: 2026 Guide](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-cost-boxholm-iowa-2026/) Most Boxholm basement projects run $30,000 to $75,000. Cost by scope, small-city inspection scheduling, and Iowa egress requirements. [August 10, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/does-finishing-basement-increase-property-taxes-iowa/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Does Finishing a Basement Increase Property Taxes in Iowa?](https://busybuildersiowa.com/does-finishing-basement-increase-property-taxes-iowa/) Yes, but less than you think. Below-grade space is assessed differently than above-grade, and Iowa's rollback limits how much becomes taxable. [August 9, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-remodeling-cost-overruns-avoid/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Common Cost Overruns in Basement Remodeling and How to Avoid Them](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-remodeling-cost-overruns-avoid/) Moisture, egress, under-slab plumbing, electrical capacity, and ceiling height explain most blown basement budgets. Here is how to catch each one before you sign. [August 3, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/wet-bar-costs-in-an-iowa-basement/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Wet Bar Costs in an Iowa Basement: Plumbing, Permits, and the Slab-Cut Question](https://busybuildersiowa.com/wet-bar-costs-in-an-iowa-basement/) A wet bar turns a basement into a real gathering space, but the sink that makes it “wet” is also what makes it cost two to three times more... [July 17, 2026](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-mistakes-to-avoid-iowa/) | By [Blake Daniels](https://busybuildersiowa.com/author/blake-daniels/) ### [Basement Finishing Mistakes Iowa Homeowners Should Avoid](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-finishing-mistakes-to-avoid-iowa/) The expensive basement mistakes happen in the steps people skip on the way to picking flooring. This guide covers the errors we see most across Central Iowa basements, what... ```json [{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Place","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#place","geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"41.6060855","longitude":"-93.8051957"},"hasMap":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&query=41.6060855,-93.8051957","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"111 S 49th Street","addressRegion":"IA","postalCode":"50265","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"West Des Moines"}},{"@type":["GeneralContractor","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization","name":"Busy Builders","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BusyBuilderz","https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/ia\/west-des-moines\/profile\/remodel-contractors\/busy-builders-llc-0664-32137323","https:\/\/www.desmoinesregister.com\/press-release\/story\/30329\/busy-builders-expands-services-to-custom-home-building-in-central-iowa\/","https:\/\/nextdoor.com\/pages\/busy-builders-west-des-moines-ia\/","https:\/\/busybuildersllc.quora.com\/Busy-Builders-LLC-is-a-West-Des-Moines-IA-General-Contractor-company-focused-on-home-enhancement-through-remodeling-and","https:\/\/www.city-data.com\/business-entities\/IA\/BUSY-BUILDERS-LLC-644057-IA.html","https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/rated.BusyBuildersLLCHome.125418287.html","https:\/\/share.google\/CwLFRDUlwAA3jdC6I","https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/DigdFS58XfGad2h57","https:\/\/www.trustindex.io\/reviews\/busybuildersiowa.com","https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q139699968"],"email":"info@busybuildersiowa.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"111 S 49th Street","addressRegion":"IA","postalCode":"50265","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"West Des Moines"},"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#logo","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/cropped-cropped-Untitled-design-57.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/cropped-cropped-Untitled-design-57.png","caption":"Busy Builders","inLanguage":"en-US","width":"512","height":"147"},"priceRange":"$$$","openingHours":["Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday,Saturday,Sunday 08:00-18:00"],"description":"Busy Builders is a full-service home construction and remodeling contractor based in West Des Moines and serving homeowners across Central Iowa, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, and surrounding communities. Founded in 2020 after decades in the trades, the company specializes in custom home building, whole-home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom renovations, basement finishing and remodeling, home additions, and custom deck construction. Every project is managed from design through completion with a focus on transparent communication, honest pricing, detailed planning, and craftsmanship built to handle everyday life, helping families create functional, beautiful spaces that are made to last for generations. We are a registered and insured Iowa contractor; Iowa Contractor Registration #C140184.","legalName":"Busy Builders LLC","foundingDate":"2020-01-01","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","value":"90"},"location":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#place"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#logo"},"telephone":"844-435-9800"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","name":"Busy Builders","alternateName":"Busybuildersiowa.com","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences.png","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences.png","width":"1250","height":"1250","caption":"Iowa residential construction site illustrating building code requirements","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":"1","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":"2","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/category\/remodeling\/","name":"Remodeling"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":"3","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/","name":"Iowa Building Codes in 2026: Why Your City’s Rules Differ"}}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/","name":"Iowa Building Codes In 2026: Why Your City's Rules Differ","datePublished":"2026-08-19T06:00:00-05:00","dateModified":"2026-08-19T06:00:00-05:00","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences.png"},"inLanguage":"en-US","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#breadcrumb"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/author\/blake-daniels\/","name":"Blake Daniels","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/author\/blake-daniels\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/1b3807b32c8c2fafb64a2eddb79753af.jpg?ver=1769728917","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/1b3807b32c8c2fafb64a2eddb79753af.jpg?ver=1769728917","caption":"Blake Daniels","inLanguage":"en-US"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BusyBuilderz\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/builders_busy","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@busybuilders","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@BusyBuildersLLC"],"worksFor":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization"}},{"@type":"BlogPosting","headline":"Iowa Building Codes In 2026: Why Your City's Rules Differ","keywords":"Iowa building codes","datePublished":"2026-08-19T06:00:00-05:00","dateModified":"2026-08-19T06:00:00-05:00","articleSection":"Remodeling","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/author\/blake-daniels\/","name":"Blake Daniels"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization"},"description":"Iowa adopted the 2024 IRC in September 2025, but cities adopt their own editions. Waukee is on 2024, Norwalk on 2021. How to find what applies to you.","name":"Iowa Building Codes In 2026: Why Your City's Rules Differ","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#richSnippet","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#webpage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences.png"},"inLanguage":"en-US","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/iowa-building-codes-2026-city-differences\/#webpage"}}]},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Which building code does Iowa use in 2026?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Iowa adopted the 2024 International Residential Code effective September 10, 2025, under Iowa Administrative Code 481, chapter 301. That is the statewide residential floor. Your city may enforce a different edition of the building and fire codes, so confirm locally before designing or budgeting."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does my city use a different code than the state?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Cities adopt code editions on their own schedules, typically tied to budget and staffing. The state sets requirements that apply broadly, but municipal adoption of the building and fire codes happens city by city. Waukee and Norwalk are a live example, on the 2024 and 2021 editions respectively as of July 2026."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do I need a permit for my remodel?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If the work involves plumbing, electrical, structural changes, or adding habitable space, almost certainly yes. Purely cosmetic work such as paint, trim, and fixture swaps usually does not. Requirements vary by city, so confirm your specific scope with your local permit office before starting."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between a registered contractor and a licensed tradesperson in Iowa?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Iowa requires general contractors earning $2,000 or more per year to register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. That is registration, confirming insurance and tax compliance. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians hold separate state licenses that involve testing. Both matter, and they are not the same thing."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I find out which code edition my city uses?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Search your city name plus \"building permits\" and look for an adopted codes section, or call the permit office directly. If your town has no building department, ask the city clerk who performs inspections, since smaller Iowa communities often contract to the county or a shared inspector."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does a code change mean my existing home is now out of compliance?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Code editions generally apply to new work, not retroactively to existing construction that was permitted and approved under an earlier edition. Where it can matter is when you remodel, since the new work typically has to meet current requirements even in an older home."}}]}] ```