The Iowa State Building Code and
Its Application
The State Building Code is based
upon the following codes:
2006 International Building Code.
2006 International Residential Code
2006 International Mechanical Code
2006 International Existing Building Code
2006 International Energy Conservation Code
2000 Uniform Plumbing Code Fixture Counts
(State Plumbing Code – IA Dept. of Health)
2006 International Plumbing Code if not
subject to the State Plumbing Code.
National Electrical Code (NFPA) 2005
The Iowa State Building Code Applies
Statewide in the Following Areas
State Owned Buildings.
Accessibility for the Handicapped.
Energy Conservation Code.
Construction and Installation of Factory
Built Structures. (Manufactured & Modular)
Minimum Plumbing Facilities.
Where Adopted Locally.
Structures not Owned by the State but
Constructed with State Appropriated
Funds, if Built in an Area Without Local
Building Code Enforcement.
Other Occupancies Covered by the
State Building Code in Areas with no
Local Building Code
Conversion of Condominiums (Iowa Code
499B.20)
Elder Group Homes (Iowa Code 231B.4,
as amended by 2005 Iowa Acts, Chapter
62)
Gaming Facilities (Rules of the Iowa
Racing and Gaming Commission)
State Owned Buildings
Authority: Iowa Code 103A.10
Applicable Codes:

2006 International Building Code
Includes State Universities and Colleges.
Accessibility for Handicapped
Authority: Iowa Code 104A.1
Applies To: All public buildings and private buildings
intended for use by the general public and multiple-unit
dwellings with four or more units.
Exception: Iowa Code 104A.2, Does not apply to
apartment buildings with less than 4 individual dwelling
units or to places of worship.
Applicable Code: Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines (As revised 7/1/94) & IAC 661
Chap. 302.
Energy Conservation Code
Authority: Iowa Code 103A.10
State Energy Code applies to all new construction:
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

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Owned by the state or agency of the state.
Owned by a political subdivision of the state.
Located in political subdivisions which have adopted any
building code; although subdivisions may adopt an
alternative energy code.
Anywhere in the state which contains more than 100,000
cubic feet of enclosed space that is heated or cooled.
Applicable Code: 2006 International Energy
Conservation Code
Residential Energy Code
Authority: 103A.8A
Applies to all residential buildings less than
or equal to 3 stories.
Applicable Code: 2006 International Energy
Conservation Code
Exception: Political subdivisions may adopt
other residential energy codes.
Commercial Energy Code
Authority: Iowa Code 103A.10
Applies to residential buildings greater than 3
stories and non-residential buildings.
Applicable Code: 2006 International Energy
Conservation Code.
Energy Reviews
Statement of Review, signed by
Architect or Engineer, required for
buildings over 100,000 cu. ft.
Statement of Review Form is
available on the Internet at
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building
/forms.shtml
Use of RESCheck and COMCheck in
lieu of Energy Statement of Review is
acceptable.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis
LCCA is an economic evaluation technique that
determines the total cost of owning and operating
a facility over a period of time.
Required on any public agency’s new
construction having 20,000 sq. ft. of usable floor
space which is heated or cooled; OR for any
renovations by a public agency where additions
or alterations exceed 50% of the value of the
facility and will affect an energy system.
LCCA’s are reviewed and approved by the
Department of Natural Resources.
Factory Built Structures
Authority: Iowa Code 103A.10 (3); Administrative
Rule 661- Chapter 16; and by Co-operative
Agreement with U. S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development.
Certification of Manufactured Home Installers
Iowa Code 103A.26.
Consumer Complaint Resolution.
Licensing of Manufactured Housing Retailers,
Manufacturers and Distributors. Administrative
Rule 661- Chapter 372.
Minimum Plumbing Facilities
Authority: Iowa Code 104B.1
Applicable Code: 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code
Applies to places of assembly for public use,
including but not limited to theaters, auditoriums,
restaurants, pubs, and lounges.
Establishes minimum number of individual
plumbing fixtures such as toilets and sinks.
Note: This is not the state plumbing code. The
state plumbing code is under the jurisdiction of the
Iowa Department of Public Health.
Jurisdictions Where the State
Building Code has been Adopted
Authority Iowa Code 103A.10 (2b.)
“The state building code shall be
applicable where the governing body has
enacted an ordinance accepting the
application of the code.”
Local ordinance must be placed on file
with Building Code Bureau.
Structures Not Wholly Owned by the
State but Constructed with State
Appropriated Funds, if Built in an Area
Without Local Building Code
Enforcement.
Authority 2006 Iowa Acts, House File
2797, Section 72.
Applicable Code: 2006 International
Building Code.
Local Enforcement must include plans
reviews and inspections.
For More Information
Website:
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/index.shtml
Phone: (515) 725-6145
Email Questions To:
[email protected]