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Navigating the Building Code for Smarter, Safer Projects

By Mike Grutsch, RA

October 29, 2025
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Every successful building project starts with a great idea, but that idea must also meet one universal requirement: it has to follow the building code.

The building code might seem like a technicality, but it’s much more than that. It’s a dynamic framework that protects people, ensures quality, and turns possibility into reality. Understanding how the building code applies to a project early on can save time, reduce risk, and open doors to creative solutions.
Steel building frame
Steel building frame

Location, Location, Location

Every project begins with its location, and every location comes with its own rules. The first step in understanding those rules is identifying the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), the agency responsible for enforcing building regulations. Depending on where your site is located, this could be a city, county, state, or even federal entity.

Each AHJ adopts its own version of the International Building Code (IBC) and may amend it to address local priorities such as weather resistance, sustainability, or historic preservation. Knowing which version applies and how it has been modified establishes the foundation for every design decision that follows.

Simply put, identifying the applicable codes early is one of the smartest moves a design team and project owner can make.

The Evolving Nature of the Building Code

The building code isn’t static. It evolves with time, technology, and lessons learned. The IBC builds on decades of earlier codes, carrying forward core safety principles while responding to new realities like climate change, material innovation, and disaster resilience.

Major events have often reshaped the code. Hurricane Andrew (1992) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) strengthened requirements for wind and flood protection. The collapse of the Twin Towers (2001) prompted stricter standards for structural integrity and fireproofing.

These updates aren’t arbitrary. They reflect the building industry’s collective knowledge, continually refined to protect lives and improve safety and performance. The code defines minimum safety standards, but forward-thinking design teams often go beyond them to create buildings that are safer, more durable, and more responsive to modern and future needs.
Fort Financial Credit Union Headquarters Construction Hard Hat Tour
Fort Financial Credit Union Headquarters Construction Hard Hat Tour

Applying the Code

Applying the building code isn’t about limiting design; it’s about guiding it. The process starts early, well before drawings are finalized. Architects begin by defining a project’s use, occupancy type, and size, which determine what sections of the code apply.

Once these parameters are clear, the design team identifies the building’s construction type and allowable height and area based on tables in Chapter 5 of the IBC. From there, the applicable code requirements narrow, and the path forward becomes much more manageable.

The building code also informs countless design details that go well beyond the rules for egress and exiting. It includes everything from fire protection and accessibility to materials and thermal performance. Understanding these standards from the start ensures that safety, efficiency, and compliance are built into every phase of the project.

At times, applying the code can involve gray areas. That’s when the design team collaborates with the AHJ to confirm interpretations or pursue variances and create alternative approaches that meet the intent of the code while allowing design flexibility.

Supporting Adaptive Reuse and Historic Preservation

Modern codes recognize the importance of reimagining existing spaces. They include special provisions for adaptive reuse, encouraging the transformation of older buildings while maintaining safety.

Historic structures often qualify for additional exceptions that preserve their original character. These tailored approaches allow organizations to extend the life of their facilities and reinvest in the communities they serve while meeting modern standards.
Lincoln Life Greensboro Historical Renovation Exterior
Lincoln Life Greensboro Historical Renovation Exterior

Why Understanding the Code Matters

Owners sometimes assume the building code only becomes relevant during permitting, but by that point, design decisions are already made. Addressing code early provides clarity and confidence that pays off throughout the project.

The benefits are clear:

  • Reduces risk by identifying potential challenges before they impact cost or schedule.
  • Improves decision-making by revealing what’s truly possible on a site.
  • Streamlines permitting through proactive communication with authorities.
  • Supports accurate budgeting by clarifying requirements upfront.
  • Encourages creativity by defining the boundaries within which bold ideas can thrive.

When codes are embraced as a planning tool and not a hurdle, they become a source of confidence and opportunity.

Designing with Confidence

The building code defines the minimum, but great design turns those minimums into meaningful opportunities. Understanding the code early transforms it from a checklist into a roadmap for success.

Before a project begins, take the time to understand the rules that shape what’s possible. Because when buildings are designed with the code—not around it—it builds more than structures. It builds confidence, safety, and long-term value.
Building floor plan on a white table with a coffee cup, ruler, and an orange notebook.
Building floor plan on a white table with a coffee cup, ruler, and an orange notebook.

If you’re planning a new facility, renovation, or adaptive reuse project, our architects can help you navigate the building code with clarity and confidence. Let’s start the conversation.

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