International Building Code
Kentucky enforces the 2015 IBC
The 2015 International Building Code (IBC) has been in force in Kentucky since Dec 3, 2024. It applies statewide. Adopted by Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (Public Protection Cabinet). The legal citation is 815 KAR 7:120.
Record of adoption
Edition in force
2015 IBC
2018 Kentucky Building Code
Partial
- In force since
- Legal citation
- 815 KAR 7:120
- Adopted by
- Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (Public Protection Cabinet)
- Applies
- Statewide
- State amendments
- Major
- Also called
- KBC, 815 KAR 7:120
Current rule version effective Dec 3, 2024; the 2015-IBC-based 2018 KBC has been mandatory since Jan 1, 2019.
Exceptions
- One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are governed by 815 KAR 7:125 (Kentucky Residential Code)
- Manufactured homes governed by KRS 227.550 to 227.665
How Kentucky adopts the IBC
The Department promulgates administrative regulations under KRS 198B.050 and 198B.080 after notice under KRS Chapter 13A, incorporating a new edition of the Kentucky Building Code or Residential Code (or the state fire standards for fire). Each regulation is reviewed by the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee and a legislative subject-matter committee, which can defer, request amendment or find it deficient, but a deficiency finding leaves the Governor to decide whether it takes effect; no statute names an edition.
Cycle. Irregular; the Kentucky codes are still based on 2015 model codes, with the NEC updated separately to 2023 effective about 2025.
How it was checked
Partial
Researched in the state’s own record. The seal stays broken until the passage is on file word for word.
The state’s record was last read on , from three source pages.
Evidence 5 sources
Sources for the record itself come first, the state’s own records ahead of others. A label marks a source about something else, such as an exception. A source marked secondary is not the state’s own record.
“The 2015 International Building shall be the mandatory state building code for all buildings constructed in Kentucky”
815 KAR 7:120. Kentucky Building Code.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (KAR)apps.legislature.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “2018 Kentucky Building Code", Fourth Edition, February 2024.”
815 KAR 7:120. Kentucky Building Code.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (KAR)apps.legislature.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “51 Ky.R. 500; eff. 12-3-2024.”
815 KAR 7:120. Kentucky Building Code.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (KAR)apps.legislature.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “The Kentucky Building Code is based upon the 2015 International Building Code”
2018 Kentucky Building Code, Fourth Edition (February 2024)Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Constructiondhbc.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Agency pageRetrieved About the note
Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction home pageKentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Constructiondhbc.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Agency pageRetrieved
Tracker cross-checks
Code adoption trackers are a cross-check. They are not Kentucky’s own record.
ICC’s code adoption mapCross-checkAgrees with the record
State Kentucky 15 15 12 15 09 12 X 15 (IBC taken as first value: 2015)