Building Codes

The Building Codes are a set of universally accepted standards adopted as guidelines for construction of buildings and related operations. The term "building codes" is a generic phrase that actually encompasses several individual codes, each of which must be adopted by the City Council before they can be applied or enforced. These codes are periodically updated, primarily due to new products entering the marketplace, and then minor revisions may be made in the adopting ordinance under the term "local amendments".

2021 Building Codes were adopted as of May 1, 2022 

Local Amendments

The following is a listing of local amendments adopted by the City of Southlake related to building construction codes.

View these codes for free: I-Codes

2021 Building Codes

Recently, the Planning and Development Services Department held a training seminar at Legends Hall for local builders, contractors, and staff on the newly adopted 2021 International Building Codes. The training seminar was conducted by Frank Morris, CBO, CFM, MCP, MCEP, CSP, who has over 47 years of experience in the construction industry and is one of the top certified building officials. The session focused on the major changes to the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, and the 2021 international Building Code (IBC). This does not include all the significant changes. See each code for full code changes.

Code Changes 2021 Powerpoint

*Energy Efficiency Building Standards per HB 3215 effective 9/1/2021 (supersedes our adopted ordinance) - provides that Standard 301 of the American National Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units using an Energy Rating Index accredited energy efficiency program, commonly cited as ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301, is in compliance with certain state law provided that: (a) the building meets the mandatory requirements of Section R406.2 of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code; (b) the building’s thermal envelope is at least equal to the levels of efficiency and solar heat gain coefficient in Table R402.1.2 or Table R402.1.4 of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code; and (c) the standard used to measure compliance for single-family residential construction uses a certain energy rating index depending on climate zone. 

Effective September 1, 2023: The State of Texas has adopted the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Effective November 7, 2023:   The City of Southlake approved Ordinance 1280 adopting the 2023 National Electrical Code.

The Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to adopt the latest edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) as the electrical code for the state of Texas. TDLR has adopted the 2023 NEC as the electrical code for the state of Texas to establish it as the "minimum standard" for all electrical work in Texas. See the TDLR website for additional information: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Historical Building Codes

The building codes history provides a summary of all adopted building codes in the City of Southlake.

• Building Code History