September 5, 2025
Before starting any remodel in Texas—whether it’s adding a new room, updating your kitchen, or tackling a bathroom overhaul—you’ll need to understand Texas building codes. These rules set the standards for safety, compliance, and quality, covering everything from plumbing and electrical systems to structural design. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the basics of Texas building codes, when you’ll need permits, and how to keep your remodeling project safe, legal, and stress-free.
Back To All BlogsWhether you plan to expand your living space in Austin or start a complex bathroom remodel, you’ll need to be familiar with one thing first: the Texas building codes. While not the most exciting part of any home remodeling project, understanding building codes will help you make your home safe, long-lasting, and, most importantly, compliant with the law. This blog will be your guide to understanding the basics.
Building codes are the official guidelines that govern the design, construction, and remodeling of residential and commercial structures. They cover a variety of details, from the strength of your foundation to the spacing of electrical outlets, to create a safe and reliable home or office.
Building codes are important because they establish minimum safety and health standards for all structures being built or renovated, thereby protecting people from various risks, including structural failures, plumbing issues, and electrical fires. If you were to build or remodel your home without the building codes as a guide, you might find yourself putting up a deathtrap.
Texas uses different versions of the International Residential Code and International Building Code as a foundation for its building codes, but they are not handled in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ way. Instead, the state uses baseline codes, and the local counties and cities enforce them, but with their own amendments. Some areas even use different versions of these Texas building codes. For example, Austin (as of this writing) uses the 2024 version of the International Residential Code, while San Marcos uses the 2021 version. That is why you must always check with your local building department first before you start your remodeling project.
Texas uses the following:
The International Residential Code covers one- and two-family homes. It guides structural design, plumbing, as well as mechanical and electrical systems.
The International Building Code governs the design, construction, and maintenance of commercial properties. However, it is a relevant code to learn if your home has mixed-use materials or is a multifamily housing.
The National Electric Code covers the electrical safety requirements for all construction or renovation projects. This is an essential code to understand if your home remodel requires major rewiring.
The International Plumbing Code covers everything plumbing, from setting minimum requirements for plumbing systems to providing guidelines for the design and installation of new bathroom tech.
The International Mechanical Code covers all things related to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It helps establish safety standards and guides the design and installation of HVAC systems.
While not all home remodeling projects will require a permit (for example, getting new kitchen cabinets or installing new flooring), some do, like:
So, if you ever find yourself thinking, “I’m just remodeling my bathroom. Do I really need to worry about building codes?”
The answer is almost always “Yes. Yes, you do.”
So, you know about the Texas Building Codes now. The next step: making sure your home is code-compliant after the remodel. What you should do is:
Check the building department of your city or county for the local building codes and permit requirements. Look for checklists, read the FAQs, and get the necessary contact info so you can ask more questions later on.
Trustworthy remodeling contractors like Aloha Home & Commercial Services already understand the codes and can get the permits for you. But, before you hire anyone, be sure to look for reviews and check references (best to do this as part of your research).
NEVER SKIP getting permits, even when you are doing the work yourself. Even if you are the best builder or home remodeler in the world, you can expect heavy fines or have your work torn down if you do not have the proper permits.
Once you have the permits, be sure to schedule inspections at key points of your residential or commercial remodeling project. This way, the local government knows you are doing everything according to their building codes.
Hold on to all permits, inspection results, contractor information, and more. These would be valuable when you need to prove your home was correctly remodeled and is up to code.
Then you’ll be building a deathtrap.
Bad joke aside, failing to follow local building codes can lead to serious consequences. For example:
In short, as tempting as it is just to do things without a permit and hope no one notices, the penalties and long-term risks are not worth it.
Now that you know about the Texas building codes and why they are essential, here are a few tips that will help keep your commercial or residential remodeling project on track and on the right side of the law:
If you’re on a tight schedule, make sure to get your permits early, especially if you live in a larger city and are planning a major bathroom or kitchen remodel.
Not every idea will meet building code requirements, so it’s always best to choose code-friendly designs rather than risk using unapproved or unsafe options.
Always take the time to talk to your home remodeling contractors to ensure you are both on the same page concerning code compliance and who is responsible for getting permits.
Most remodels often require expert hands to complete, including plumbing remodels, electrical upgrades, and structural changes. Never hesitate to ask for help.
While this blog doesn’t dive deep into the International Residential Code or the International Building Code, we hope it has helped you become more familiar with the Texas Building Codes. Remember to always follow building codes to keep your project safe and avoid future problems. And if you want to learn more, please contact Aloha Home & Commercial Services.
