Editor's note–Former chapter 8B pertaining to similar subject matter, was repealed by Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026. Prior to the replacement this chapter derived from the following: Ordinance 2015-9746, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2015-9747, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2015-9748, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2015-9749, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2015-9750, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015, eff. 9/1/2016; Ordinance 2015-9751, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2018-10043, § 2, adopted 4/5/2018; Ordinance 2022-10640, § 1, adopted 9/15/2022; Ordinance 2023-10684, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10685, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10686, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10687, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10688, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10689, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10690, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2023-10691, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - 2024 IBC AmendmentsAttachment 2 - 2024 IRC AmendmentsAttachment 3 - 2024 IECC AmendmentsAttachment 4 - 2024 IPC AmendmentsAttachment 5 - 2024 IFGC AmendmentsAttachment 6 - 2024 IMC AmendmentsAttachment 7 - 2023 NEC AmendmentsAttachment 8 - 2024 IEBC AmendmentsAttachment 9 - 2024 ISPSC Amendments
The 2024 edition of the International Building Code, including Appendices "C - Group U Agricultural Buildings," "E - Supplementary Accessibility Requirements," and "I - Patio Covers" is adopted as the commercial building code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Building Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Building Code, this chapter 8B "Building Codes," and Chapter 17C "Fire Protection" the provisions of section 17C-4 "International Fire Code" shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Building Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IBC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The 2024 edition of the International Residential Code, including Appendices "CA - Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping," "CB - Sizing of Venting Systems Serving Appliances Equipped with Draft Hoods, Category I Appliances and Appliances Listed for Use with Type B Vents," "BF - Patio Covers," and "NB - Solar-Ready Provisions-Detached One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses," is adopted as the residential building code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Residential Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Residential Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IRC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IECC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The 2024 edition of the International Plumbing Code is adopted as the plumbing code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Plumbing Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Plumbing Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IPC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The 2024 edition of the International Fuel Gas Code is adopted as the fuel gas code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Fuel Gas Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IFGC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The 2024 edition of the International Mechanical Code is adopted as the mechanical code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Mechanical Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Mechanical Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IMC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Existing Building Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Existing Building Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 IEBC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2024 ISPSC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
The 2023 edition of the National Electrical Code, including Informative Annex "H," is adopted as the electrical code of the City of Irving, Texas, as amended herein.
(Ordinance 2015-9752, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2023-10692, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2024-10884, § 1, adopted 3/21/2024)
Amendments included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. If there is a conflict between a provision in the published 2023 National Electrical Code and this section, the specific provisions of this section shall control. Amendments, modifications, and deletions to the 2023 National Electrical Code are adopted as follows:[1]
(Ordinance 2015-9752, § 2, adopted 12/10/2015; Ordinance 2023-10692, § 1, adopted 1/12/2023; Ordinance 2024-10884, § 1, adopted 3/21/2024)
[1]
Editor's note–The 2023 NEC Amendments are included as an attachment to this chapter.
(a) 
Schedule of fees. All fees for this chapter shall be reviewed, set, and adopted by city council resolution. Other fees may be required under other ordinances. In the event that a permit is to be issued for work not listed, a fee shall be charged based upon a category of work shown which most nearly resembles the work intended.
(b) 
Investigation fee. Any person who commences any work on any building or structure; or any electrical, gas, plumbing, or mechanical system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to an investigation fee equal to the fee included in the permit fee schedule. The investigation fee shall be in addition to the regular permit fee.
(c) 
Contractor registration. All fence, sign, concrete, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, irrigation, house moving, fuel tank installer, maintenance worker for apartments (plumbing/mechanical), or general contractors are required to register with the city in order to secure a permit as provided for in this code. Homeowners may obtain permits to perform work at a residence for which they have a homestead tax exemption and in which they live without being registered and without the requirement of hiring a registered contractor.
(1) 
Method of registration. To register with the City as a contractor, application shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the building official or digitally through the City of Irving online portal as required in this section.
(2) 
Contractor registration renewal. Every contractor registration provided for in this code shall expire one year following the date of its issuance and shall be renewed by the building official upon approved application submittal.
(d) 
Refunds. The building official or his/her designated representative shall be authorized to refund fees only as follows:
(1) 
The full amount of the fee paid hereunder that was erroneously paid.
(2) 
Not more than seventy-five (75) percent of the permit fee paid when no work or inspection has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.
(3) 
The building official shall not authorize the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee not later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of fee payment.
(e) 
Combination permit fees (building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical). The general contractor shall obtain a combination permit for all construction requiring inspection by more than one trade inspector. Subcontractors are not required to obtain separate permits when serving as the registered subcontractor for a combination permit. Each subcontractor working under a general contractor's combination permit shall notify the inspections department and submit all required information prior to any inspection. Separate permits are required for drive approaches (excluding new construction of single-family, townhouse, duplex, or triplex structures), fences, signs, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire mains and hydrants, on-site utilities, irrigation systems, retaining walls, construction trailers, pools, fuel tanks, electric door locks, electric gate controllers, and solar energy systems.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
(a) 
A person who violates any provision of this chapter commits a class C misdemeanor offense, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00). A person who intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence violates a provision of this chapter governing fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). A violation of each separate provision of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) 
Unless specifically provided otherwise by this section, or state or federal law, an offense under this chapter is a strict liability offense and the culpable mental state required by the Texas Penal Code is hereby specifically negated and clearly dispensed with.
(c) 
The criminal remedies in this section are in addition to and cumulative of the remedies available to the city for enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall limit any and all other criminal, civil, or administrative remedies available to the city in seeking to enforce the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to a petition for civil penalties and/or injunctive relief available under state law for a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
(a) 
General. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the building official or fire chief relative to the application and interpretation of the International Construction and Fire Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Irving, there shall be and is hereby created a construction board of appeals. The construction board of appeals shall be appointed by the governing body and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business.
(b) 
Limitations on authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the legally adopted rules thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equally good or better form of construction is proposed. The board shall have no authority to waive requirements of this code, but may only vary requirements to allow an alternate method or material when the alternate method or material would be as good as or better than the requirements of the code.
(c) 
Appointment. There shall be established the construction board of appeals consisting of seven (7) members as follows: one (1) interested citizen, one (1) master electrician or electrical contractor, one (1) master plumber or plumbing contractor, one (1) class "A" licensed mechanical (HVAC) contractor or mechanical engineer, one (1) home builder, one (1) representative from the fire protection industry, and one (1) licensed architect or engineer. The board shall be appointed by the city council. The building official and the fire chief are ex officio members of the board.
(d) 
Term of office. Each member shall serve for a term of two (2) years which shall expire upon the date of the first city council meeting in November of the year of expiration; however, if an appointment is not made by the city council meeting in November of the year of expiration, the member shall continue in office until reappointed or a successor has been appointed by the city council. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the manner in which original appointments are made. Continued absence of any member from regular meetings of the board may, at the discretion of the city council, render the member subject to immediate removal from office.
(e) 
Conflict of interest. No board member shall act in a case in which he or she has a conflict of interest.
(f) 
Quorum. Four members of the board constitute a quorum. In varying the application of any provision of the International Construction and Fire Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Irving, or in modifying an order of a building official or the fire chief, affirmative votes of the majority present, but not less than four (4) affirmative votes are required.
(g) 
Records. The building official shall act as secretary of the construction board of appeals and shall make a detailed record of all its proceedings, which set forth the reasons for its decisions, the vote of each member participating including abstentions, and the absence of a member.
(h) 
Procedure. The board may establish rules and regulations for its own procedure not inconsistent with the provisions of the International Construction and Fire Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Irving. The board may meet at regular intervals, to be determined by the chairperson, and shall meet within thirty (30) days after any notice of appeal has been received by the building official.
(i) 
Appeals; Time limit. When the building official or fire chief rejects or refuses to approve the method of construction proposed to be followed in the erection or alteration of a building or structure, or when the owner of the building or structure claims that the provisions of this code do not apply, or that the true intent and meaning of a code, or any of its regulations have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the owner of the building or structure, or his or her agent, may appeal the decision of the building official or fire chief to the construction board of appeals. The person appealing a decision of the building official or fire chief shall file the appeal in writing on a form provided by the building official and submit it with a fee, in accordance with this section, to the inspections department within thirty (30) days after the decision is rendered by the building official or fire chief.
(j) 
Decisions of the construction board of appeals. The construction board of appeals, when on appeal to and after a hearing, may vary the application of any provision of a code when, in its opinion, enforcement would be unjust, and would be contrary to the spirit and purpose of a code, or public interest, or when, in its opinion the interpretation of the building official or fire chief should be modified or reversed. A decision of the construction board of appeals to vary the application of a provision of the International Construction and Fire Codes as adopted and amended by the City of Irving, or to modify an order of the building official or fire chief shall specify in what manner such variation or modification is made, the conditions upon which it is made, and the reasons for it.
(k) 
Decisions. Each decision of the construction board of appeals is final, subject, however, to such remedy as any aggrieved party might have at law or in equity. Each decision shall be in writing and indicates the vote upon the decision. Each decision shall be promptly filed in the office of the building official and shall be open to public inspections. The construction board of appeals will, in each case, reach a decision without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. If a decision of the construction board of appeals reverses or modifies a refusal, order, or disallowance of the building official or fire chief, or varies the application of a provision of an applicable code, the building official or fire chief will immediately take action in accordance with the decision. If a decision of the construction board of appeals reverses or modifies a refusal, order, or disallowance of the building official or fire chief, or varies the application of a provision of an applicable code, the building official or fire chief will immediately take action in accordance with the decision.
(Ordinance 2026-11253 adopted 3/26/2026)
(a) 
Applicability.
(1) 
This section applies to:
a. 
New construction of multi-family and residential mixed-use developments.
b. 
Any existing structure that requires substantial reconstruction to be converted from a commercial use to a multi-family or residential mixed-use occupancy.
c. 
Any existing multi-family structure that requires substantial reconstruction as part of a single project.
(2) 
Substantial reconstruction means the project involves either:
a. 
Demolition or rebuilding of 50% or more of the gross floor area; or
b. 
Removal, replacement, or structural alteration of 50% or more of the building's exterior walls and roof assembly.
(3) 
This section does not apply to interior renovations, maintenance, or repairs that do not meet the thresholds above.
(4) 
A new multi-family or mixed-use project that has been approved by the city council through a development agreement, site plan zoning, a multi-family concept plan, TOD concept plan, or TOD detailed plan prior to August 30, 2025 is exempt from this section until September 1, 2030, at which time any permit shall be subject to the regulations contained herein.
(b) 
Intent.
It is the intent that the International Code sections referenced in this section serve as directional guides, as specific section numbering and captions may be amended from time to time through the International Code Council's (ICC) ongoing code development cycles and the city's adoption thereof. The building codes most recently adopted by the City of Irving, and any local amendments thereto, shall serve as the baseline measurement for all regulations contemplated by this section. Modifications included in this section are intended to be specific code provisions. In the event of direct conflict between any future adopted building codes and the provisions contained in this section, the most stringent regulation shall control.
(c) 
Definitions.
The following terms when used in this section have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection.
Mixed-use residential.
When used to describe land use or development, means the use or development, as applicable, of a site consisting of residential and nonresidential uses in which the residential uses are at least 65% of the total square footage of the development. The term includes the use or development of a condominium.
Multifamily residential.
When used to describe land use or development, means the use or development, as applicable, of a site for three or more dwelling units within one or more buildings. The term includes the use or development of a residential condominium.
(d) 
Required Performance Standards.
Any construction subject to this chapter, regardless of the designated zoning classification of the land on which it will be constructed, shall conform to the following enhanced performance standards.
(1) 
Energy and Efficiency requirements otherwise established by Sections 403 and 406 and Appendix RB of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Minimum 10% improvement over IECC baseline performance.
b. 
Net-zero ready infrastructure (solar- and battery-ready).
c. 
All-electric HVAC and appliance infrastructure.
d. 
High-efficiency HVAC (SEER 16 or higher).
(2) 
Indoor Environmental Quality requirements otherwise established by Sections 806, 1202, and 1206 of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and Sections 403 and 605 of the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Minimum MERV 13 air filtration.
b. 
ASHRAE 62.2 compliant ventilation.
c. 
VOC limits per ASHRAE/ASTM.
d. 
STC/IIC ≥ 50 for acoustic separation.
(3) 
Water Efficiency requirements otherwise established by Section 604, Section 1301, and Appendices C and K of the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Toilets ≤ 1.0 gpf, showers ≤ 1.5 gpm, faucets ≤ 1.0 gpm.
b. 
Rainwater/graywater reuse infrastructure readiness.
c. 
Smart irrigation controllers required.
(4) 
Roofing performance requirements otherwise established by Chapter 15 the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
High-albedo roofing: SRI ≥ 78 (low-slope), SRI ≥ 29 (steep-slope).
b. 
On-site stormwater runoff mitigation.
c. 
UL 2218 or FM 4473 class 4 hail resistance.
(5) 
Construction Waste and Indoor Air Quality requirements otherwise established by Chapter 33 of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Minimum 75% diversion of construction/demolition waste.
b. 
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management plan required during construction.
(6) 
Transportation and Access requirements otherwise established by Chapters 4 and 11 of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and Section C405 of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Bicycle parking: 1 space per 5 units.
b. 
EV infrastructure readiness for at least 15% of parking.
c. 
CPTED-compliant lighting: full cut-off, 1.0 footcandle minimum.
(7) 
Safety and Security (CPTED) requirements otherwise established by Chapter 4 as well as Sections 404, 406, and 1205 of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) are supplemented or amended to provide for:
a. 
Uniform lighting at entries, walkways, and parking.
b. 
Clear landscaping (≤ 3-ft shrubs, ≥ 7-ft tree canopies).
c. 
Marked and illuminated unit entries.
d. 
Visual/physical boundaries between public and private space.
(Ordinance 2025-11128 adopted 7/31/2025)