States, Counties and Locations with No Constructing Codes within the USA: Complete Checklist 

Though constructing codes exist to guard folks from harmful building, they may also be an enormous problem – particularly if you wish to construct a house on a funds, live off-grid or use various supplies comparable to cob or adobe.

In most locations within the USA, there is no such thing as a getting round constructing codes (or the costly permits and inspections course of!).  Nevertheless, there are nonetheless many locations within the USA with out constructing codes. 

Right here’s what you should learn about no constructing codes, in addition to an inventory of counties within the USA with out residential constructing codes.

Locations With No Constructing Codes Interactive Map

Hover over every state to get a quick standing. Click on any inexperienced state to get extra in-depth data.

States with out Constructing Codes

There are 12 states within the USA which wouldn’t have statewide constructing codes or enable jurisdictions to choose out of the codes. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply that you’re free to construct no matter you need in these states. 

Many counties inside the states have chosen to undertake codes.  For instance, regardless that Delaware has no statewide residential codes, each county in Delaware has adopted a constructing code.

1. Alabama
2. Arizona
3. Colorado
4. Delaware
5. Illinois
6. Mississippi
7. Missouri
8. North Dakota
9. Tennessee
10. Texas
11. West Virginia
12. Wyoming 

Checklist of Locations with out Residential Constructing Codes within the USA

Here’s a complete record of counties and native jurisdictions within the USA which wouldn’t have any residential constructing codes. 

Please tell us within the feedback if you happen to discover an inaccuracy. Additionally, tell us of any counties with out constructing codes that didn’t make this record.  Will probably be up to date recurrently! 

Alabama really does have statewide constructing codes.  Nevertheless, they solely apply to residential building and sure varieties of business building.

Additional, the Division of Development Administration doesn’t have authority to implement residential codes.  As an alternative, it’s left as much as the native counties.  If there is no such thing as a native authority, then codes are enforced by the State Fireplace Marshall.  Learn extra here.

Additionally learn: Alabama Off-Grid Laws

Under are counties that wouldn’t have native code enforcement in Alabama.  

Arizona doesn’t have any statewide constructing codes, however most bigger cities and cities have adopted codes. 

Presently, there’s one county in Arizona with out constructing codes.

Additionally learn: Arizona Off-Grid Laws

Colorado doesn’t have statewide residential codes. Nevertheless, there are statewide codes that apply to factory-built properties and manufactured properties. The IBC applies to sure business and state-owned buildings. 

Additionally learn: Colorado Off-Grid Laws

Counties with No constructing Codes in Colorado:

Illinois doesn’t have statewide constructing codes for residential buildings. As an alternative, it’s as much as native counties and cities to undertake codes. 

Many locations within the southern a part of Illinois wouldn’t have constructing codes. Sadly, loads of these locations additionally don’t have web sites the place yow will discover that data – you’ll should name every county individually to ask.

Yow will discover a listing of locations that do have codes here. 

Additionally learn: Illinois Off-Grid Laws

Locations with out constructing codes in Illinois:

• Woodford County
• Macoupin County 
• Ogle County: The county doesn’t have constructing codes however does implement zoning legal guidelines.
• Pope County
• Gallatin County 

Kansas has no statewide constructing codes moreover the Kansas Fireplace Prevention Code and 2006 IECC for business buildings.

Many counties haven’t adopted constructing codes in any respect, although constructing permits are often nonetheless required.  Notice that cities and cities within the counties beneath often do have constructing codes. 

Additionally learn: Kansas Off-Grid Laws

Counties with out constructing codes in Kansas (click on + to open)

Mississippi has state-wide constructing codes however allowed native jurisdictions to opt-out.  Two that did are:

• Warren County
• Adams County

If you understand some other counties in Mississippi with out constructing codes, tell us within the feedback part! 

Additionally learn: Mississippi Off-Grid Laws

Missouri has no statewide constructing code, and codes are adopted on the native degree.  Many locations outdoors of main cities haven’t adopted any codes, nor do they require permits.  Yow will discover an inventory of counties with out codes here.

Additionally learn: Missouri Off-Grid Laws

Listed here are simply among the counties with out constructing codes in Missouri:

• Buchanan County
• Douglas County
• Jasper County
• Lawrence County
• Lincoln County
• Newton County
• Texas County 
• Vernon County
• Webster County

Opposite to frequent perception, Montana does have statewide constructing codes. Nevertheless, native jurisdictions will not be required to implement these codes.

You’ll should name the county to seek out out whether or not they implement codes or not.  As a result of some counties are so small, this will really be fairly troublesome. There usually isn’t an internet site or a cellphone quantity to name.  You’re additionally required to get a state allow earlier than doing most varieties of building.  Extra data here. 

Additionally learn: Montana Off-Grid Laws

North Dakota has a state constructing code, however it doesn’t require native jurisdictions to enact it.  If the jurisdiction does select to enact a code, it should enact the state code. 

Additionally learn: North Dakota Off-Grid Laws

The next counties in North Dakota wouldn’t have constructing codes:

Tennessee has a really complicated constructing code system.  There are statewide codes, however jurisdictions can select to enact their very own constructing codes. 

Additional, jurisdictions may vote to fully choose out of getting codes.  When voting, they’ll select to choose out of simply unincorporated areas or simply sure cities or cities. This has created a patchwork system of codes throughout the state.

Voting to choose out happens pretty often,  so there is no such thing as a assure that your county will proceed to choose out of getting constructing codes. 

Locations which have not opted out of code can select to implement the codes themselves.  Or they’ll enroll in a program the place the State Fireplace Marshal’s Workplace conducts inspections and enforces codes.  It makes use of native contractors for this.

Even when your house in Tennessee doesn’t have any codes, you may nonetheless request an inspection from the Fireplace Marshall.  This lets you get financing and insurance coverage – each of which can require passing code inspection. You will get extra data here. 

Additionally learn: Tennessee Off-Grid Laws

Locations in Tennessee with out residential constructing codes are: 

• Benton County
• Auburntown
• Carroll County
• Cocke County
• Parrottsville
• Decatur County
• Dowelltown
• Slayden
• Vanleer
• Fentress County
• Franklin County
• Ardmore
• Minor Hill 
• Grundy County
• Henry County
• Puryear
• Houston County
• Humphreys County
• Jackson County
• Lawrence County
• Lewis County 
• Moore County/Lynchburg 
• Perry County
• Pickett County
• Scott County
• Huntsville
• Stewart County
• Van Buren County
• Wayne County

Texas has adopted the IBC, IEBC and IRC for residential dwellings.  Nevertheless, in unincorporated areas, the code doesn’t apply robotically; the realm should particularly undertake a decision ordering the code. 

Additional, jurisdictions are allowed to amend the code as they see match.  In consequence, many locations in Texas nonetheless haven’t any constructing codes or very relaxed constructing codes. Many areas additionally don’t implement present constructing codes.

You’ll should do some digging to seek out out which counties have constructing codes or not.  I recommend going to Wikipedia to get a list of Texas counties and filtering it by inhabitants.  The counties with the fewest residents are likely to not have any codes in any respect. 

Additionally learn: Texas Off-Grid Laws

Locations in Texas with out constructing codes:

*There are in all probability many extra, however I didn’t analysis all of them.  Additionally, please double-check with these counties in case I made a mistake or the legal guidelines have modified!

• Loving County
• McMullen County
• Borden County
• Roberts County
• Motley County
• Foard County
• Glasscock County
• Stonewall County
• Cottle County
• Sterling County
• Briscoe County
• Throckmorton County
• Oldham County
• Armstrong County
• Jeff Davis County 
• Menard County 

West Virginia has a state constructing code, however it doesn’t require communities to undertake it or implement it. In consequence, many unincorporated areas in West Virginia haven’t any constructing codes.

Yow will discover an inventory of locations that have adopted the state constructing code here. 

Additionally learn: West Virginia Off-Grid Laws

Listed here are some locations in WV with out constructing codes:

• Monongolia County
• Pocohontas County
• Terra Alta County
• Preston County 
• Braxton County
• Pendelton County
• Calhoun County 

Wyoming has constructing codes however leaves it as much as native jurisdictions to undertake them.  In consequence, there are nonetheless many locations in Wyoming with out constructing codes. 

Additionally learn: Wyoming Off-Grid Laws

Some locations in Wyoming with out constructing codes are:

• Johnson County
• Fremont County
• Criminal County
• Park County
• Niobrara County
• Scorching Springs County 
• Weston County

How Are Constructing Codes Regulated?

Most states have adopted a statewide constructing code that robotically applies to each group within the state. 

Some states have a statewide code however let native jurisdictions resolve whether or not they need to enact it (both via an opt-in or opt-out system). 

And there are a number of states which have completely no statewide constructing codes and go away it fully as much as native jurisdictions.

Residential vs. Industrial Constructing Codes

Even in states with relaxed constructing codes, there are often nonetheless codes for business buildings or sure varieties of buildings (comparable to faculties and authorities buildings).

On this article, we’re going to concentrate on residential codes. Farm buildings are typically excluded from business constructing codes.

No Codes vs. No Code Enforcement

Plenty of locations do have constructing codes however simply select to not implement them. 

One instance is Montana.  It recurrently seems on lists of states with out constructing codes when actually, it does have statewide codes.  Nevertheless, the state is so massive and rural that the majority areas haven’t any method of performing inspections or implementing code. The identical applies to Alaska and South Dakota.

Even when a spot doesn’t implement code, it’s at all times a threat to construct one thing less than code.  You by no means know when the jurisdiction will rent inspectors to do enforcement – that means you would out of the blue face massive fines for violations.  

There are many horror tales on-line from individuals who had this occur to them. Some have been even compelled to demolish their properties as a result of there was no option to get them as much as code. 

Septic and Wastewater Codes Nonetheless Apply 

Septic and “onsite wastewater” legal guidelines are enacted on a statewide degree.  So, even when there are not any constructing or plumbing codes in your space, you’ll nonetheless should observe these legal guidelines.

Should you aren’t linked to the municipal sewer system, you’ll in all probability want a state wastewater allow and might have an inspection too.  It’s usually not possible to get a constructing allow till you get your wastewater allow.

Constructing Codes vs. Zoning Legal guidelines

Constructing codes are very detailed guidelines relating to constructing practices. The objective is to make sure buildings are protected to reside in. Against this, zoning legal guidelines are extra centered on how you should utilize your property. 

The objective of zoning legal guidelines is to protect the native tradition, guarantee complementary makes use of, and management improvement. 

There’s usually some overlap between the 2 units of guidelines.  For instance, each constructing codes and zoning legal guidelines often have minimal flooring measurement necessities for dwellings. 

Listed here are some examples of every.

• Constructing code examples: Allowed supplies, stairway heights, variety of electrical retailers required, non-potable water labeling, baluster spacing
• Zoning legal guidelines: Setback necessities, most constructing peak, required variety of parking areas, whether or not you may have ADUs, variety of permitted livestock 

Simply because a spot doesn’t have constructing codes, it doesn’t imply there aren’t zoning legal guidelines (and vice versa).   

Issues with Not Constructing to Code

Other than the protection facet of constructing a house that isn’t as much as code, you may face another issues if you happen to don’t observe code.  They embrace:

• Not having the ability to get financing in your construct: That is uncommon, however some lenders contemplate it too dangerous to finance properties not constructed to code
• Issue promoting the house afterward: Particularly if the county has since adopted codes
• County could enact code afterward: Chances are you’ll then be compelled to pay for very costly upgrades to get your property as much as code. 
• Costly constructing code insurance coverage: This insurance coverage covers prices to get your property as much as code.  If your property isn’t constructed to code, this insurance coverage will probably be costly. 
• Can’t use it commercially: Many locations with out residential codes do have business codes. Should you ever need to open a business enterprise in your house, you would need to stand up to code first. 

Know of different locations with out constructing codes that didn’t make this record? Or discover an inaccuracy? Please tell us within the feedback part.  We are going to replace this record recurrently.