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Table of Contents
Introduction
I put this web page together to make it easier to find sections of the building code that deal with roofing, especially if they aren’t in an obvious place like “Chapter 15 – Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures”, which is the main roofing chapter.
This page references the 2018 International Building Code (IBC). While the 2024 version is the most recent, and several states are still using older versions, the 2018 IBC is in force in many jurisdictions. It’s a good version for general reference, and the roofing sections of the building code don’t usually change too much from one version to the next.
They might change, though, and building code version adoption varies by location, so you should always check with your local building inspection department for the applicable code in your specific area. But even when they do change, the section titles and numbering usually stay the same or at least pretty close, so this guide should help you locate what you’re looking for in any case.
The headings for sections of the code which reference roofing or roof-adjacent aspects of construction are presented on this page in the order they appear in the building code. I also provide links to the actual building code for every chapter below so you can see the actual detailed language of the sections you’re interested in.
This page covers the IBC. You may be looking for a Roofing Guide to the International Residential Code.
For an excellent guide to the entire IBC, consider getting a copy of Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2021 International Building Code by Francis D. K. Ching and Steven R. Winkel.
Searching this page: This is a pretty long page. I recommend using CTRL+F to search for the exact words you’re looking for. Here’s how you do it on desktop and tablet. Here’s how you do it on mobile. If you don’t know this one simple trick, click that link, read the article, and learn how to do it. It will save you a lot of time in the future if you learn how. It’s easy.
Note on Amendments to the International Building Code
Always check with your local building inspector’s office or website to be certain which version of the building code is in effect in your area. New versions of the model International Building Code are produced every 3 years, but they are not adopted or put into effect by local authorities every 3 years. In fact, they are not adopted with any consistency from country to country, state to state, or even city to city.
Another important thing to be aware of is the fact that the majority of the governing authorities which adopt the codes do so with amendments. The codes produced by the International Code Council are model codes, which means that they are simply standardized templates that the authorities in actual jurisdictions can use as a foundation for their building codes. Some places will adopt the codes as they are, without amendments, but this is not very common.
Local authorities can (and they do!) add things, remove things, change the language, and make exceptions to the model code, so it’s not enough to simply know which version of the model code has been adopted.
See my article on building codes and roofing for more information.
Chapter 1 – Scope and Administration
See the full code for Chapter 1 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 1 on the UpCodes website.
Section 104 Duties and Powers of Building Official
- 104.10 Modifications (Note: This section gives the building inspector leeway when it comes to enforcing the code. It allows you to present reasonable requests for code requirement modification if strictly following the code is impractical but the intent and purpose of the code will still be satisfied. – Jack Gray)
- 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment
Section 105 Permits
- 105.1 Required
- 105.2 Work exempt from permit
Section 106 Floor and Roof Design Loads
- 106.3 Restrictions on loading
Section 107 Submittal Documents
- 107.2.4 Exterior wall envelope
Section 110 Inspections
- 110.3.6 Weather-exposed balcony and walking surface waterproofing
Chapter 5 – General Building Heights and Areas
See the full code for Chapter 5 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 5 on the UpCodes website.
Section 503 General Building Height and Area Limitations
- 503.1.4 Occupied roofs
Section 504 Building Height and Number of Stories
- 504.3 Height in feet
Chapter 6 – Types of Construction
See the full code for Chapter 6 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 6 on the UpCodes website.
Section 603 Combustible Material in Types I and II Construction
- 603.1 Allowable materials
Chapter 7 – Fire and Smoke Protection Features
See the full code for Chapter 7 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 7 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter mentions roofs about 150 times; not all subsections are listed here. – Jack Gray)
Section 705 Exterior Walls
- 705.11 Parapets
Section 706 Fire Walls
Section 711 Floor and Roof Assemblies
Section 712 Vertical Openings
- 712.1.15 Skylights
Section 720 Thermal- And Sound-Insulating Materials
- 720.5 Roof insulation
Chapter 9 – Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
See the full code for Chapter 9 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 9 on the UpCodes website.
Section 910 Smoke and Heat Removal
- 910.3 Smoke and heat vents
Chapter 10 – Means of Egress
See the full code for Chapter 10 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 10 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter covers roof hatches, access stairs, and access ladders. – Jack Gray)
Section 1011 Stairways
- 1011.12 Stairway to roof
- 1011.12.2 Roof access
- 1011.13 Guards
- 1011.16 Ladders
Section 1015 Guards
- 1015.7 Roof access
Chapter 12 – Interior Environment
See the full code for Chapter 12 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 12 on the UpCodes website.
Section 1202 Ventilation
- 1202.2 Roof ventilation
- 1202.2.1 Ventilated attics and rafter spaces
- 1202.3 Unvented attic and unvented enclosed rafter assemblies
Chapter 13 – Energy Efficiency
See the full code for Chapter 13 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 13 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter used to be called “Energy Conservation”. It basically tells you that building design and construction is governed by the International Energy Conservation Code. – Jack Gray)
Chapter 14 – Exterior Walls
See the full code for Chapter 14 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 14 on the UpCodes website.
Section 1404 Installation of Wall Coverings
- 1404.4 Flashing
Chapter 15 – Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures
See the full code for Chapter 15 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 15 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This is the main roofing chapter of the code. In particular, note that the Section 1507 subsections for each different type of roofing material address deck requirements, slope, fasteners, underlayment, and flashing for that specific roof type. – Jack Gray)
Section 1502 Roof Drainage
Section 1503 Weather Protection
- 1503.2 Flashing
- 1503.3 Coping
- 1503.4 Attic and Rafter Ventilation
- 1503.5 Crickets and Saddles
Section 1504 Performance Requirements
Section 1505 Fire Classification
Section 1506 Materials
Section 1507 Requirements for Roof Coverings
- 1507.1.1 Underlayment
- 1507.1.2 Ice Barriers (Note: “Ice Barriers” covers the installation requirements for ice and water shield. – Jack Gray)
- 1507.2 Asphalt shingles1507.2.8 Flashings 1507.2.8.2 Valleys 1507.2.8.3 Drip Edge
- 1507.3 Clay and concrete tile
- 1507.4 Metal roof panels
- 1507.5 Metal roof shingles
- 1507.6 Mineral-surfaced roll roofing
- 1507.7 Slate shingles
- 1507.8 Wood shingles
- 1507.9 Wood shakes
- 1507.10 Built-up roofs
- 1507.11 Modified bitumen roofing
- 1507.12 Thermoset single-ply roofing (Note: This section covers EPDM roofing. – Jack Gray)
- 1507.13 Thermoplastic single-ply roofing (Note: This section covers TPO and PVC roofing. – Jack Gray)
- 1507.14 Sprayed polyurethane foam roofing
- 1507.15 Liquid-applied roofing
- 1507.16 Vegetative roofs, roof gardens and landscaped roofs
- 1507.17 Photovoltaic shingles
- 1507.18 Building-integrated photovoltaic roof panels
Section 1508 Roof Insulation
Section 1509 Radiant Barriers Installed Above Deck
Section 1510 Rooftop Structures
Section 1511 Reroofing
(Note: This section covers the requirements for replacing an existing roof or installing a new roof over an old roof (roof recovery). It also tells you how many roofs or how many layers of roofing you can put down on top of one another on a building and under what conditions. – Jack Gray)
Chapter 16 – Structural Design
See the full code for Chapter 16 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 16 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter used to be called “Structural Loads”. – Jack Gray)
Section 1603 Construction Documents
Section 1606 Dead Loads
Section 1607 Live Loads
Section 1608 Snow Loads
Section 1609 Wind Loads
- 1609.5 Roof systems
Section 1611 Rain Loads
Section 1613 Earthquake Loads
- 1613.3 Ballasted photovoltaic panel systems
Chapter 17 – Special Inspections and Tests
See the full code for Chapter 17 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 17 on the UpCodes website.
Section 1705 Required Special Inspections and Tests
- 1705.2.2 Cold-formed steel deck
- 1705.11.3 Wind-resisting components
Chapter 18 – Soils and Foundations
See the full code for Chapter 18 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 18 on the UpCodes website.
Section 1805 Dampproofing and Waterproofing
Chapter 21 – Masonry
See the full code for Chapter 21 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 21 on the UpCodes website.
Section 2113 Masonry Chimneys
Chapter 22 – Steel
See the full code for Chapter 22 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 22 on the UpCodes website.
Section 2210 Cold-Formed Steel
- 2210.1.1 Steel decks
- 2210.1.1.2 Steel roof deck
Chapter 23 – Wood
See the full code for Chapter 23 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 23 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This is the rafter chapter, among other things. Includes joist and rafter span tables. Also covers wood panel (plywood, OSB) roof sheathing requirements. – Jack Gray)
Section 2303 Minimum Standards and Quality
- 2303.1.5 Wood structural panels
- 2303.1.6 Fiberboard
- 2303.1.6.2 Roof insulation
Section 2304 General Construction Requirements
- 2304.4 Floor and roof framing
- 2304.8 Floor and roof sheathing (Note: This subsection covers plywood and OSB sheathing. See Table 2304.8(3) for minimum allowable panel thickness by span and load. – Jack Gray)
- 2304.9 Lumber decking
- 2304.10 Connectors and fasteners
- 2304.11 Heavy timber construction
- 2304.11.4 Roof decks
Section 2308 Conventional Light-Frame Construction
- 2308.7 Roof and ceiling framing
Chapter 24 – Glass and Glazing
See the full code for Chapter 24 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 24 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This is the chapter you want for information about skylights. – Jack Gray)
Chapter 26 – Plastic
See the full code for Chapter 26 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 26 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: “Foam plastic insulation” covers polyisocyanurate, polystyrene, and polyurethane foam insulation. – Jack Gray)
Section 2603 Foam Plastic Insulation
- 2603.6 Roofing
Section 2606 Light-Transmitting Plastics
Section 2609 Light-Transmitting Plastic Roof Panels
Section 2610 Light-Transmitting Plastic Skylight Glazing
Chapter 31 – Special Construction
See the full code for Chapter 31 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 31 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter covers membrane structures made out of materials like PTFE (Teflon) fabric; awnings, canopies, solar energy systems, greenhouses, and fixed, retractable or rotating sun control devices. – Jack Gray)
Chapter 35 – Referenced Standards
See the full code for Chapter 35 on the ICC website.
See the full code for Chapter 35 on the UpCodes website.
(Note: This chapter lists every official standard referenced in the code. Over 65 standards have to do with roofing. – Jack Gray)
