The District of Columbia adopts the International Codes (I-Codes) published by the International Code Council (ICC), and the National Electrical Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), subject to any changes, deletions and/or additions to the I-Codes or the NEC as set forth in Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) (the Construction Codes Supplement). The District of Columbia has adopted the 2006 I-Codes and NFPA’s 2005 NEC with changes, deletions, and/or additions set forth in the Construction Codes Supplement adopted December 26, 2008.

The I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety, property maintenance, and fire prevention codes that have been adopted in fifty states and the District of Columbia. For further information about the ICC and its code development process, please refer to the ICC’s website at www.iccsafe.org.

The Construction Codes Coordinating Board (CCCB) is appointed by the Mayor and reviews and accepts or rejects proposals for changes, deletions and/or additions to the District of Columbia’s Construction Codes.  Technical Advisory Groups are established to support the work of the CCCB. 

The CCCB is currently considering adoption of the 2012 I-Codes, including the 2012 International Green Construction Code, and the 2011 edition of the NEC (together referred to as the “2012 I-Codes”).

The proposed new 2013 Construction Codes were published in the DC Register on December 7, 2012 for public comment and the comment period closed on February 22, 2013. A copy of the proposed rulemaking can be viewed on the DCRA website here.

Code change proposals approved by the CCCB are provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia as proposed rulemakings subject to action by the City Council. Until adopted pursuant to a final notice of rulemaking and approved by the City Council, changes to existing regulations are not effective and do not obligate any final decision made by the Code Official.