Scope and Administration

Scope

CODE APPLIES TO ALL REPAIRS - IRC applies to construction, alteration, replacement, repair, and all other work on one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.

Work Exempt From Permit

Exemptions from permit requirements listed in IRC Section R105.2 include: one-story detached accessory structures <=200 sf, fences <=7 ft, retaining walls <=4 ft, water tanks <=5,000 gal on grade, sidewalks/driveways, painting/finish work, playground equipment, window awnings <=54" projection, decks <=200 sf and <=30" height. MONTANA NOTE: These exemptions only apply in jurisdictions that have adopted the IRC. Many rural Montana counties have no building code and thus no permit requirements at all.

Permit Exemptions - Arizona

AZ permit exemptions: accessory structures <200 sq ft (no utilities), fences under height limit (3-6 ft varies), cosmetic work. Solar always requires permit. "Exempt from permit" ≠ "exempt from code".

Work Exempt from Permit - Tennessee

TN PERMIT EXEMPTIONS - Standard IRC R105.2: sheds under 200 sq ft, fences under 6 ft, retaining walls under 4 ft, cosmetic work. CRITICAL: OPT-OUT counties require NO residential building permits (but electrical/plumbing/mechanical permits may still apply under state licensing). Nashville/Memphis may have local exemption variations.

Permit Requirements - Vermont (Municipal Variation)

Vermont permit requirements vary dramatically by municipality. Towns with adopted building codes require permits per IRC. Towns WITHOUT building codes may only require zoning permits. RBES 2020 compliance is statewide regardless of local building code status.