The Department of Buildings is pleased to announce that the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes are now available for purchase or to view online on the International Code Council's (ICC) website. The new codes bring Chicago’s core requirements for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings into much closer alignment with national standards.

The construction code modernization ordinance was adopted by the Chicago City Council in April 2019 and is being phased in over time. The updated Energy Conservation Code was implemented in June 2019 and the Construction Codes become optional on December 1, 2019 and mandatory for permit applications on August 1, 2020.

To view free, read-only versions of the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes, or to purchase print versions, visit the following link: https://codes.iccsafe.org/search/?search=Chicago.

The ICC anticipates that the books will be ready for shipment late October 2019.

More about the Construction Code books

The Chicago Building Code, Title 14B regulates the new construction of buildings and structures and other building- and property-related activities, including special inspections and tests, construction site safety, and building rehabilitation work, as specifically referenced in the other Chicago Construction Codes. The accessibility-related provisions of this code have been drafted to be consistent with the 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code and federal regulations for privately-funded construction. This is a fully integrated codes based on the 2018 IBC.

The Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Title 14R regulates the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to, and relocation of existing buildings and structures. The accessibility-related provisions of this code have been drafted to be consistent with the 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code and federal regulations for privately-funded construction.

The Chicago Energy Conservation Code, Title 14N regulates matters related to the design, construction, and rehabilitation of new and existing buildings for energy efficiency. This code has been drafted to be consistent with the 2019 Illinois amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code. This is a fully integrated codes based on the 2018 IECC.

The Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Title 14A establish uniform administrative procedures for each code in the Chicago Construction Codes series. These provisions establish the limits of the applicability of each code and describe how the codes are to be applied and enforced. These provisions also establish the powers and responsibilities of city employees, design professionals, construction professionals, and building owners with respect to application of the Chicago Construction Codes. 

For more information about the Department of Buildings’ multi-phase code modernization effort please visit our website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/CodeModernization.html.

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