Current Commercial Code of Georgia
2018 Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code, based on the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) with Georgia-specific amendments. Additionally, includes the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2016 with Georgia-specific strengthening amendments.
Passed and effective as of January 1, 2020.
Current Residential Code
2018 Georgia State Minimum Standard Residential Code, based on the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) with Georgia-specific amendments. Additionally, includes the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), featuring mandatory blower door testing to ensure air tightness and energy efficiency, referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2016 with further strengthening amendments.
Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard One and Two Family Dwelling Code
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Georgia State Minimum Fire Prevention Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Fire Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Plumbing Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Gas Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Swimming Pool and Spa Code
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Georgia Standard on Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands 2017
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Georgia Storm Shelter Code 2014
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Georgia Accessibility Code
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Georgia 2010 ADA Standards
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Georgia State Minimum Standard Electrical Code
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Georgia Life Safety Code 2018
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Georgia Fire Sprinkler Code 2019
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Georgia Fire Sprinkler Code 2013
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Georgia One- and Two-Family Dwelling Fire Sprinkler Installation Code 2016
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Georgia Low-rise Residential Fire Sprinkler Installation Code 2016
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Georgia Standpipe and Hose System Installation Code 2016
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Georgia Fire Pump Installation Code 2016
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Georgia Private Fire Service Main Installation Code 2019
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Georgia Fire Alarm Code 2019
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Georgia Emergency and Standby Power Code 2016
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Georgia Fire Wall Code 2018
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Georgia Stationary Fuel Cell Power Code 2020
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Georgia Stationary Fuel Cell Power Code 2015
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Georgia Refrigeration System Safety Code 2022
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Georgia Refrigeration System Safety Code 2016
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Georgia Refrigerant Classification Code 2022
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Georgia Commercial Energy Code 2013
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Georgia Health Care Facility Ventilation Code 2017
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Georgia Elevator and Escalator Code 2019
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Georgia Existing Elevator and Escalator Code 2020
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Georgia Existing Elevator and Escalator Code 2017
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Georgia Elevator and Escalator Performance-Based Code 2007
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Georgia Wind Turbine Tower Elevator Code 2016
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Georgia Platform Lift and Stairway Chairlift Code 2020
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Georgia Platform Lift and Stairway Chairlift Code 2014
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Georgia Belt Manlift Code 2015
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Georgia Solder Joint Pressure Fitting Code for Cast Copper Alloy 2012
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Georgia Solder Joint Pressure Fitting Code for Wrought Copper and Copper Alloy 2013
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Georgia Building Services Piping Code, 2014
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Georgia Hospital Facilities Design Code 2022
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Georgia Hospital Facilities Design Code 2018
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Georgia Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities Design Code 2014
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Georgia Outpatient Facilities Design Code 2022
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Georgia Outpatient Facilities Design Code 2018
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Georgia Structural Concrete Code 2014
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Georgia Concrete Thin Shells Code 2014
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Georgia Residential Structural Concrete Code 2014
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Georgia Post-Installed Adhesive Anchors in Concrete Code 2011
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Georgia Unbonded Single-Strand Tendon Materials Code 2014
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Georgia Special Unbonded Post-Tensioned Precast Structural Walls Code, 2007
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Georgia Seismic Steel Construction Code 2016
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Georgia Seismic Steel Construction Code 2010
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Georgia Steel Construction Code 2016
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Georgia Steel Construction Code 2010
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Georgia Cold-Formed Steel Structural Member Code 2016
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Georgia Wood Construction Wind and Seismic Code 2021
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Georgia Masonry Specification Code 2016
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Georgia Peak Cooling and Heating Calculation Code (Commercial / Mid & High-rise Residential) 2007 (R2014)
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Georgia ABA Standards 2015
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Georgia Typical Timber Construction Details Code 2003
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Georgia Structural Glued Laminated Timber Appearance Grades Code 2001
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Georgia Structural Glued Laminated Timber Dimensions Code 2010
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Georgia Structural Glued Laminated Timber of Hardwood Species Specifications Code 1996
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Georgia Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors Code 2013
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Georgia Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors Code 2007
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Georgia Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment Code 2014
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Georgia Metal and Flexible Duct Code 2005
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Georgia Phenolic Duct Construction Code 2015
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Georgia Carbon Structural Steel Code, 2014
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Georgia Deformed and Plain Carbon-steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement Code 2015ae1
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Georgia Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Steel and Plate Code 2014
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Georgia Fair Housing Act Design Manual
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Georgia OSHA 1926 Construction
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Georgia OSHA 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Climate Zones: 2A, 3A, 4A
Code Adoption and Change Process
Code Change Process
A rulemaking process is used to adopt new codes and to change existing codes in Georgia. When a proposed code change is forwarded to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), it is first reviewed by a task force consisting of engineers, architects, builders, and contractors. This task force evaluates the proposal and, if deemed appropriate, forwards it to the State Codes Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee further evaluates the proposal and submits it for public hearing. If approved, the proposal is adopted by the Board of Community Affairs for inclusion into the next edition of the code. The DCA is responsible for the final rulemaking.
Code Change Cycle
New editions of codes in Georgia are reviewed as soon as practicable after publication by the International Code Council. Supplements and amendments to the codes are updated annually to ensure that the state’s building codes remain current with the latest standards and practices.
Next Code Update
The next major update for Georgia’s building codes, based on the 2021 International Codes, is tentatively scheduled to become effective in 2024. This update will include the necessary supplements and amendments to ensure compliance with the latest safety and efficiency standards.
Previously, the DCA had decided that the state of Georgia should adopt the 2018 suite of I-codes in lieu of the 2015 codes. See A Statement on Codes from the DCA, page 1.
History
| 2024 | Expected implementation of the 2021 International Codes across various domains, enhancing standards in safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This includes updates to the International Building Code, Residential Code, Energy Conservation Code, and more. |
| January 1, 2011 | The 2011 Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code becomes effective statewide. It is based on the 2009 IECC with 2011 Georgia Amendments (including mandatory blower door testing starting July 1, 2011) as a minimum (mandatory) code. The state also adopts the 2011 Georgia State Minimum Residential Green Building Standard, based on the 2008 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) with 2011 Georgia Amendments, as an optional code for one- and two-family dwellings. It is available for local government adoption and enforcement. Local governments choosing to enforce any permissive codes must adopt the code(s) they wish to enforce, as well as administrative procedures and penalties. This followed the July 29th recommendation of the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) to approve the codes. |
| November 3, 2010 | The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Board votes to give final approval to adopt the 2009 IECC with 2011 Georgia Amendments (including mandatory blower door testing) as a minimum code and the 2008 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) with 2011 Georgia Amendments as a permissive code. This follows the July 29th recommendation of the State Codes Advisory Committee (SCAC) to approve the codes and a public hearing on September 22nd in Atlanta. |
| April 2010 | During deliberations on the state’s FY2011 budget, the Georgia Senate votes to remove all of the state’s appropriations for the Georgia Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Program. Funding of $218,821 had previously been recommended by the governor and approved in the House budget bill. BCAP and other energy efficiency advocates contact Georgia legislators to support full funding for the agency. House and Senate negotiators in the legislation’s conference committee restore full funding to the program in the final conference report, which was approved by the Legislature on April 29th. The codes program looks to continue its work developing an enhanced version of the 2009 IECC and a residential green building code. |
| April 4, 2008 | The Georgia General Assembly passes Senate Bill 130, known as the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Construction Act of 2008. This Act directs the Department of Community Affairs to adopt policies and procedures as recommended standards for state-managed buildings, focusing on optimizing energy performance, increasing the demand for locally produced materials, and improving environmental quality. |
| January 1, 2008 | The Georgia State Minimum Energy Code, updated to reference the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2004 for commercial buildings and the 2006 IECC for residential buildings, becomes mandatory statewide. |
| July 1, 2004 | The Uniform Codes Act is revised to make the following eight construction codes mandatory as the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes: International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fire Code, and National Electric Code. |
| January 1, 2003 | The 2000 IECC with state amendments goes into effect; SHGC 0.40 requirements will be effective the following year. ASHRAE 90.1-2001 also becomes effective, although Chapter 8 of the 2000 IECC can be used as an alternative. |
| October 1, 1991 | The Uniform Codes Act becomes effective in Georgia, marking a significant step in the standardization of building codes within the state. |
Contacts
Eric Esposito
Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Consultant
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Email: eric.esposito@dca.ga.gov
Sareena Nagpal
Energy Codes Manager
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA)
Email: snagpal@seealliance.org
News and Events
- DOE’s Three Year Residential Energy Code Field Study May 12, 2015
- Energy Codes Boost Development January 28, 2015
- The Growth Of DET Verifier Programs July 31, 2014
- Alliance Announces SEEA’s ‘Graduation’ Into Standalone Entity May 20, 2013
BCAP Resources
Helpful Links
Cosimina has been a member of BCAP for over a decade, actively contributing to the organization’s nationally acclaimed initiatives aimed at assisting states and local authorities in the establishment and enforcement of robust and efficient building energy codes. Her involvement spans across advocacy, technical guidance, outreach programs, and the formation of strategic coalitions.