Georgia — Code Adoption Summary
Adoption model: Statewide-minimum mandatory (GA Dept. of Community Affairs). Locals enforce + may amend more-stringent; cannot weaken. Last verified: 2026-07-03 Confidence: verified Primary sources: GA DCA — https://dca.georgia.gov/construction-codes-industrialized-buildings/construction-codes · ICC GA
Statewide adopted codes — 2024 ICC family + GA amendments, effective 2026-01-01
| Code family | Adopted edition | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | 2024 IBC + GA amendments | eff. 2026-01-01 | dca.georgia.gov |
| Residential | 2024 IRC + GA amendments | " | |
| Electrical (NEC) | NEC 2023 + 2026 GA amendments | applies to 1–2 family too (IRC electrical omitted) | dca.georgia.gov NEC packet |
| Mechanical | 2024 IMC + GA amendments | " | |
| Plumbing | 2024 IPC + GA amendments (applies to 1–2 family) | GA = IPC | " |
| Energy | Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code (IECC + GA supplements/amendments) | " | |
| Fuel Gas | 2024 IFGC + GA amendments | " | |
| Fire | 2024 IFC (Safety Fire Commissioner) | " |
Note: DCA omits the plumbing/electrical/energy chapters of the IRC — so IPC, NEC, and IECC(+GA) govern those for 1- & 2-family dwellings.
Adoption model & precedence
- Codes are the statewide minimum; adoption is automatic statewide (local governments enforce; the 8 "mandatory" state codes apply whether or not locally re-adopted).
- Local amendments allowed more-stringent with DCA process.
- Transition: projects that began permitting / held pre-permit meetings may continue under prior (2018-era) codes if application submitted by 2026-01-31.
- AHJ = local building department.
Major cities / counties
| Jurisdiction | County | Notes | Building dept. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Fulton/DeKalb | GA minimum + city amendments | atlantaga.gov |
| Savannah | Chatham | GA minimum + coastal/wind | savannahga.gov |
| Augusta | Richmond | GA minimum | augustaga.gov |
AHJ fallback (when local adoption is unverified)
- State baseline (≥2026-01-01): 2024 IBC/IRC/IMC/IPC, NEC 2023 (+GA), GA Energy Code.
- Action: confirm application date (prior codes if submitted ≤2026-01-31) + any city amendments.
Change log
- 2026-07-03 — created; verified 2024 ICC family + NEC 2023 + GA Energy Code effective 2026-01-01 (DCA).