The practice of developing, approving, and maintaining building codes varies considerably among nations. In some countries building codes are developed by governmental or quasi-governmental agencies such as standards organizations, and finally promulgated by the country's central government. Such codes are known as national building codes, since their application extends to the entire nation.

Depending on the country, the power to regulate fire construction or sanitary facilities may be vested in local authorities, which publish a model code. These codes have no legal status until the local authority approves them and enforces them in ordinances. In Spain, the Technical Building Code (CTE) is the regulatory framework that establishes the requirements that buildings must meet in relation to the basic safety and habitability requirements established in Law 38/1999 of November 5, on Building Planning Regulation (LOE).[16]​ In Catalonia, housing is required to meet environmental requirements that are not applied in other autonomous communities.[17]​ In the United States, each major city had its own technical code, such as the case of New York, although over time, as the technical codes become more complex, the standardized one tends to be used. New York in 2008 abandoned its code 1968 New York City Building Code in favor of adopting a version of the International Building Code")[18]​.

In Europe, the European Union has established the use of Eurocodes, which are the codes used within the European Union. Each country has created its own building code based on these Eurocodes. The most interesting thing about the new European building codes is that they are of the performance-based code form, that is, the building is required to meet certain features, minimum requirements, regardless of the material or techniques used.

Likewise in India, where each municipality and city has developed its own code that regulates its jurisdiction, which is mandatory for all construction within its jurisdiction. All of these local building codes are variants of a National Building Code,[19]​ which serves as a model code demonstrating guidelines for regulating building construction activity. All these codes are based on the national model.

Also known are earthquake-resistant standards, a mandatory or optional code that deals with the prevention and calculation of seismic actions; for example in Spain

the Seismic-Resistant Construction Standard.

The purpose of building codes is to provide minimum standards for safety, health, and general welfare, including structural integrity, mechanical integrity (including sanitation, water supply, light, and ventilation), means of egress, fire prevention and control, and energy conservation.[21]​[22]​

Building codes typically include:.

Building codes are typically separate from zoning ordinances, but exterior restrictions (such as setbacks) can fall into either category.

Designers use building code standards from reference books during design. Building departments review the plans submitted to them before construction, issue permits (or not), and inspectors check compliance with these standards on the site during construction.

There are often additional codes or sections of the same building code with more specific requirements that apply to homes or commercial premises and special building objects such as canopies, signs, pedestrian walkways, parking lots, and radio and television antennas.

Current energy codes in the United States

United States energy codes are adopted at the state and municipal level and are based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Previously, they were based on the Model Energy Code (MEC).

As of March 2017, the following residential codes have been partially or fully adopted by states:[23]​.

The practice of developing, approving, and maintaining building codes varies considerably among nations. In some countries building codes are developed by governmental or quasi-governmental agencies such as standards organizations, and finally promulgated by the country's central government. Such codes are known as national building codes, since their application extends to the entire nation.

Depending on the country, the power to regulate fire construction or sanitary facilities may be vested in local authorities, which publish a model code. These codes have no legal status until the local authority approves them and enforces them in ordinances. In Spain, the Technical Building Code (CTE) is the regulatory framework that establishes the requirements that buildings must meet in relation to the basic safety and habitability requirements established in Law 38/1999 of November 5, on Building Planning Regulation (LOE).[16]​ In Catalonia, housing is required to meet environmental requirements that are not applied in other autonomous communities.[17]​ In the United States, each major city had its own technical code, such as the case of New York, although over time, as the technical codes become more complex, the standardized one tends to be used. New York in 2008 abandoned its code 1968 New York City Building Code in favor of adopting a version of the International Building Code")[18]​.

In Europe, the European Union has established the use of Eurocodes, which are the codes used within the European Union. Each country has created its own building code based on these Eurocodes. The most interesting thing about the new European building codes is that they are of the performance-based code form, that is, the building is required to meet certain features, minimum requirements, regardless of the material or techniques used.

Likewise in India, where each municipality and city has developed its own code that regulates its jurisdiction, which is mandatory for all construction within its jurisdiction. All of these local building codes are variants of a National Building Code,[19]​ which serves as a model code demonstrating guidelines for regulating building construction activity. All these codes are based on the national model.

Also known are earthquake-resistant standards, a mandatory or optional code that deals with the prevention and calculation of seismic actions; for example in Spain

the Seismic-Resistant Construction Standard.

The purpose of building codes is to provide minimum standards for safety, health, and general welfare, including structural integrity, mechanical integrity (including sanitation, water supply, light, and ventilation), means of egress, fire prevention and control, and energy conservation.[21]​[22]​

Building codes typically include:.

Building codes are typically separate from zoning ordinances, but exterior restrictions (such as setbacks) can fall into either category.

Designers use building code standards from reference books during design. Building departments review the plans submitted to them before construction, issue permits (or not), and inspectors check compliance with these standards on the site during construction.

There are often additional codes or sections of the same building code with more specific requirements that apply to homes or commercial premises and special building objects such as canopies, signs, pedestrian walkways, parking lots, and radio and television antennas.

Current energy codes in the United States

United States energy codes are adopted at the state and municipal level and are based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Previously, they were based on the Model Energy Code (MEC).

As of March 2017, the following residential codes have been partially or fully adopted by states:[23]​.