York City Building Code in Favor of A Customized Version of

There are instances when some local jurisdictions choose to develop their
own building codes. At some point in time all major cities in the United
States had their own building codes. However, due to ever increasing
complexity and cost of developing building regulations, virtually all
municipalities in the country have chosen to adopt model codes instead.
For example, in 2008 New York City abandoned its proprietary 1968 New
York City Building Code in favor of a customized version of
the International Building Code.[7] The City of Chicago remains the
only municipality in America that continues to use a building code the city
developed on its own as part of the Municipal Code of Chicago.
In Europe, the Eurocode is a pan-European building code that has
superseded the older national building codes. Each country now has
National Annexes to localize the contents of the Eurocode.
Similarly, in India, each municipality and urban development authority has
its own building code, which is mandatory for all construction within their
jurisdiction. All these local building codes are variants of a National Building
Code, which serves as model code proving guidelines for regulating
building construction activity.
Modern era[edit]
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, which had been able to spread so
rapidly through the densely built timber housing of the city, the Rebuilding
of London Act was passed in the same year as the first significant building
regulation.[9] Drawn up by Sir Matthew Hale, the Act regulated the
rebuilding of the city, required housing to have some fire resistance
capacity and authorised the City of London Corporation to reopen and
widen roads.[10] The Laws of the Indies were passed in the 1680s by
the Spanish Crown to regulate the urban planning for colonies throughout
Spain's worldwide imperial possessions.
The first systematic national building standard was established with the
London Building Act of 1844. Among the provisions, builders were required
to give the district surveyor two days' notice before building, regulations
regarding the thickness of walls, height of rooms, the materials used in
repairs, the dividing of existing buildings and the placing and design
of chimneys, fireplaces and drains were to be enforced and streets had to
be built to minimum requirements.[11]
The Metropolitan Buildings Office was formed to regulate the construction
and use of buildings throughout London. Surveyors were empowered to
enforce building regulations, which sought to improve the standard of
houses and business premises, and to regulate activities that might
threaten public health. In 1855 the assets, powers and responsibilities of
the office passed to the Metropolitan Board of Works.
The City of Baltimore passed its first building code in 1859. The Great
Baltimore Fire occurred in February, 1904. Subsequent changes were
made that matched other cities.[12] In 1904, a Handbook of the Baltimore
City Building Laws was published. It served as the building code for four
years. Very soon, a formal building code was drafted and eventually
adopted in 1908.
In Paris, under the reconstruction of much of the city under the Second
Empire (1852–70), great blocks of apartments were erected[13] and the
height of buildings was limited by law to five or six stories at most.
The structural failure of the tank that caused the Great Molasses Flood of
1919 prompted the Boston Building Department to require engineering and
architectural calculations be filed and signed. U.S. cities and states soon
began requiring sign-off by registered professional engineers for the plans
of major buildings.[14]
 Standards for structure, placement, size, usage, wall assemblies,

fenestration size/locations, egress rules, size/location of rooms,
foundations, floor assemblies, roof structures/assemblies, energy
efficiency, stairs and halls, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, site
drainage & storage, appliance, lighting, fixtures standards, occupancy
rules, and swimming pool regulations
 Rules regarding parking and traffic impact
 Fire code rules to minimize the risk of a fire and to ensure safe
evacuation in the event of such an emergency [citation needed]
 Requirements for earthquake (seismic code), hurricane, flood,
and tsunami resistance, especially in disaster prone areas or for very
large buildings where a failure would be catastrophic [citation needed]
 Requirements for specific building uses (for example, storage of
flammable substances, or housing a large number of people)
 Energy provisions and consumption
 Grandfather clauses: Unless the building is being renovated, the
building code usually does not apply to existing buildings.
 Specifications on components
 Allowable installation methodologies
 Minimum and maximum room ceiling heights, exit sizes and location
 Qualification of individuals or corporations doing the work
 For high structures, anti-collision markers for the benefit of aircraft
Building codes are generally separate from zoning ordinances, but exterior
restrictions (such as setbacks) may fall into either category.
Designers use building code standards out of substantial reference books
during design. Building departments review plans submitted to them before
construction, issue permits [or not] and inspectors verify compliance to
these standards at the site during construction.
There are often additional codes or sections of the same building code that
have more specific requirements that apply to dwellings or places of
business and special construction objects such as canopies,
signs, pedestrian walkways, parking lots, and radio and television
antennas.
As of September 2005, the following residential energy codes had been partially or fully adopted by
states:[18]

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There are instances when some local jurisdictions choose to develop their

 Standards for structure, placement, size, usage, wall assemblies,

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