Texas Building Codes

Texas has NO mandatory statewide residential building code (Home Rule state). Code adoption is entirely LOCAL - cities and counties decide whether to adopt codes and which editions. Major metros (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth) use IRC 2021 with local amendments. Many rural/unincorporated areas have NO code requirements. TDI administers windstorm insurance requirements for 14 coastal counties (WPI-8 Certificate required). Climate Zones: 2A (Gulf Coast/SE), 2B (S-Central), 3A (Central/E), 3B (W-Central), 4B (Panhandle - ice barrier required). Severe hail risk in DFW Metroplex. No statewide GC/roofing license (TDLR licenses electricians, HVAC). Expansive clay soils throughout. 254 counties total. base_code corrected 2026-05-18 — was none_adopted but state has municipal adoption pattern with documented IRC/IBC base