Residential Code Requirements

This section contains general residential building code requirements. Please refer to the Building Codes for more detailed information. This information is intended as a guide and does not relieve the applicant from complying with all applicable code requirements.

New homes and existing homes undergoing additions constituting more than a 50% increase in square footage are required to install type NFPA 13D residential sprinklers. 
 **Changes are effective 11/02/2020** 
 

Design Loads - 2018 International Residential Code

  • Ground snow load - 25 psf
  • Wind speed - 115 mph
  • Attics with storage - 20 psf
  • Decks - 40 psf
  • Balconies - 40 psf
  • Rooms (other than sleeping) - 40 psf
  • Sleeping areas - 30 psf
  • Passenger vehicle garages - 50 psf (2000 lb point load over 20 sq. in area)
  • Handrails - 200 lb concentrated lateral load
  • Soil bearing capacity - 2,000 psf

Foundation Walls

  • Continuous wall footing is required except that one-story buildings may use piers
  • Foundation piers may be stone, brick, or concrete block
  • Accessory buildings less than 400 sf require footings a minimum of 12” below grade
  • Over 400 sf require footings a minimum of 30” below grade
  • Piers and all other footings must be placed below the surface of the ground and shall not be less than 30 inches (bottom of footing) and all joints must be securely cemented together

Mortar Mixture

  • Not weaker than 1-2-3 ½ and all mixture wet, but not more than 6-3/4 gallons of water to one bag of cement of 94 pounds

Wood

  • Shall not rest upon masonry within 8 inches of the ground
  • There shall interpose between the wood and the masonry a solid continuous layer of solid block or cement mortar at least 4 inches thick, or a hood along the edges of the masonry
  • No wood within 4 feet of the ground shall be allowed to come in contact with piping, or other objects unless they have been fitted with metal shields to block the shelter tubes of termites

Wood Framing

  • Must be spaced 16 inches on centers
  • Must be bolted to foundation with bolts of not less than one-half inch in diameter at 6 feet maximum centers
  • Minimum embedded to a depth of not less than 8 inches in placed concrete
  • Less than 15 inches in width of all wall supported thereon
  • Pressure treated joists < 18” to ground
  • Provide double joists under oversize bathroom tubs
  • Provide 15 ½ heel at roof truss bearings for R-49 insulation installation
  • Provide collar ties or structural ridge at framed roofs less than 3 ½ in 12 pitch
  • Deck construction must comply with all specifications provided in the Deck Construction Guide

Wood and Door Openings

  • Must be double studs
  • Must have double headers
  • All headers must be set on top of the studs, and must be set on edge
  • For all single window and door openings, not exceeding 48 inches, the headers shall not be less than double 2x4 supporting one floor or roof
  • For all twin openings not exceeding 72 inches, the headers shall not be less than double 2x6 supporting one floor or roof
  • All triple openings not exceeding 8 feet, the headers shall not be less than double 2x8, and not exceeding 10 feet, not less than double 2x10 supporting one floor or roof. All headers must be braced at the top

Roof Framing

  • Roof sheathing panel nominal thickness from 3/8 inch to 7/8 inch. Reference: 2018 IRC Table R503.2.1.1(1)
  • Eave overhang shall not exceed 24 inches
  • Rake overhang shall not exceed 12 inches
  • A readily accessible attic access opening not less than 22 inches by 30 inches shall be provided to any attic area having a clear height of over 30 inches
  • Access to the attic opening containing appliances shall be provided by a permanent or pull-down stairway in all new construction


Moisture Protection (Foundation)

  • Subsoil drains are required for all dwellings with basements, cellars, crawl spaces, or floors below grade and must be located inside and outside of the foundation. Weep holes are required with hollow block, maximum 48 inches apart
  • Foundation walls of habitable rooms located below grade shall be waterproofed with membranes extending from the edge of the footing to the finish grade line. The membrane shall consist of either 2-ply hot mopped felts, 6-mil. Polyvinyl chloride, 55-pound rolls roofing or equivalent material. The laps in the waterproofing membrane shall be sealed and firmly affixed to the wall
  • An access crawl hole 18 “by 24” shall be provided to the underfloor space. Vents to be located per 2018 IRC, Section 408
  • Siding 6 inches minimum above finish grade.

Moisture Protection (Roof)

  • Ice barrier is required to be installed for new construction & re-roofing works with asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate & slate-type shingles, wood shingles & wood shakes. Reference: 2018 IRC R905.1.2
  • Drip edge is required for new construction & re-roofing works, shall be provided at eaves & rake edges of shingle roof. Reference: 2018 IRC R905.2.8.5

One (1) hour fire resistance construction for walls

  • Structures less than 5’-0” from property line
  • Residential dwelling equipped with sprinkler system but less than 3’-0” from property line
  • One (1) hour fire resistance wall assembly;
  • 5/8 inch Type ‘X’ gypsum board each side of stud wall or equivalent
  • Shall be installed from the foundation up to the underside of roof sheathing

Sprinkler System

  • New construction, Demo and Rebuild structures
  • Additions constituting more than 50% increase in square footage inclusive of an unfinished basement

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

  • ADU without free-flowing access (i.e. case opening) from attached principal dwelling shall have a wall separation with minimum One (1) hour fire resistance construction
  • Access door in-between shall have minimum 45 minute fire resistance construction
  • One (1) hour fire resistance wall assembly;
  • 5/8 inch Type ‘X’ gypsum board each side of stud wall or equivalent
  • Shall be installed from the foundation up to the underside of roof sheathing

Plans on file (POF)

  • Requires a Maryland registered Engineer or Architect signed & sealed construction drawings 
 

One and Two Family Dwellings Code Requirements

Bedroom window

Minimum window required -  
Minimum net clear opening -

Minimum net clear opening height -

Minimum net clear opening width -

Maximum still height -

One 
5.7 sq. ft 
24-inches 
20-inches 
44-inches
HallwaysMinimum width -3 feet
StairwaysMinimum clear width - 
Minimum headroom - 
Minimum tread - 
Maximum riser -
3 feet 
6 ft 8 in 
10-inches 
3/4 inches
GuardrailMinimum height + required at walk surfaces over 30-inches above grade or stairs with 4 or more risers36-inches
RailingMinimum height 
(required at least one side of stair)
34 to 38-inches
PicketsMaximum clear spacing between pickets4-inches
Working space around electric equipmentMinimum width - 
Minimum in front -
30-inches 
36-inches
Ceiling heightHabitable rooms - 
Other areas - 
Under beams & ducts -
7 ft, 0 in 
6 ft, 8 in 
6 ft, 4 in
BathroomsWater-resistant gypsum backing board used as the base or backer for adhesive application of ceramic tile or other required nonabsorbent finish material 
Emergency Escape 
And Rescue Openings
At least one Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening is required for basement and habitable attic 
Fire stoppingAll duct chases, bulkheads, laundry chutes, metal flues, tub traps, and all shafts at each floor 
Fuse boxDo not locate fuse box in clothes closets 
Smoke detectorsOne (1) required on each level, plus one (1) in each bedroom and one (1) outside each sleeping area. Each shall have internal battery back-up plus being hardwired. 
Exterior stud walls2x4 or 2x6, P.T. sole plates in contact with masonry or concrete 
Wall coveringsDrywall - ½ inch 
Paneling - 
(Maximum smoke density - 450 
Maximum flame spread - 200
 
Habitable roomsMinimum area - 
Minimum horizontal dimension -
70 sq. ft. 
7 feet
Garage SeparationAttached garage separation from residence and attic minimum 1/2" gypsum board. Habitable rooms above garage minimum 5/8" Type "X" gypsum board.  
Non-combustible floor sloped to overhead door with 4" minimum elevation to residence floor.  
Minimum 20 minute or 1-3/8" solid wood door with self-closer. No openings into sleeping areas.