International Residential Code
Kentucky enforces the 2015 IRC
The 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) 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 7:125.
Record of adoption
Edition in force
2015 IRC
2018 Kentucky Residential Code
Partial
- In force since
- Legal citation
- 815 KAR 7:125
- Adopted by
- Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (Public Protection Cabinet)
- Applies
- Statewide
- State amendments
- Major
- Also called
- KRC, 815 KAR 7:125
Current rule version effective Dec 3, 2024; the 2015-IRC-based 2018 KRC has been mandatory since Jan 1, 2019.
Exceptions
- Single-family dwelling permits and inspections not required unless local ordinance requires them
How Kentucky adopts the IRC
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 4 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 Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code shall supersede any conflicting provision in the 2015 IRC.”
815 KAR 7:125. Kentucky Residential Code.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (KAR)apps.legislature.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “50 Ky.R. 1976; 51 Ky.R. 501; eff. 12-3-2024.”
815 KAR 7:125. Kentucky Residential Code.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (KAR)apps.legislature.ky.gov (opens in a new tab)Administrative codeRetrieved “The Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) is the 2015 International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings”
2018 Kentucky Residential Code, Third Edition (August 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 (IRC taken as second value: 2015)