PERMITS & INSPECTIONS
DEPARTMENT
2003 INTERNATIONAL
RESIDENTIAL CODE
IRC
IMPORTANT DATES
• New codes will affect all plans submitted
after September 1, 2005
• Any existing project or plans submitted
prior to September 1 will be reviewed and
inspected under old codes
• Inspections for permits issued after
September 1 will be conducted under the
new codes effective November 1, 2005
IRC 2003 SECTION 100
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
PLAN REVIEW
CERTIFICATION OF MAIN STRUCTUARAL ELEMENTS
AND COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
COMPLETE PLANS MUST HAVE
4 ELEVATIONS FRONT, REAR, & BOTH SIDES
CROSS SECTION TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE DETAIL
FLOOR PLANS FOR ALL LEVELS
ONLY MINOR REVISIONS ALLOWED
R506.2.1 GARAGE SLABS EXCEEDING REQUIREMENTS MUST
BE ENGINEERED
>2’CLEAN SAND OR GRAVEL & 6” BASE
IRC 2003 SECTION 100
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R105.7 BY LOCAL AMENDMENT
THE PERMIT HOLDER OR HIS AGENT
SHALL POST THE PERMIT INSPECTION
RECORD ON THE JOB SITE IN AN
ACCESSABLE AND CONSPICUOUS
PLACE TO ALLOW THE BUILDING
OFFICIAL TO MAKE THE REUIRED
ENTRIES
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R301.5 DECK LOADS
REDUCED FROM 60 PSF TO 40 PSF
R303.3 BATHROOM MECHANICAL EXHAUST
MINIMUM 50 CFM INTERMITENT
MINIMUM 20 CFM CONTINUOUS
FANS MUST BE VENTED TO
EXTERIOR OF BUILDING THROUGH
ROOF OR GABLE END AND
TERMINATE WITH AN APPROVED CAP
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
R305
DESCRIPTION
MINIMUM CEILING HEIGHT FOR
HABITABLE AREAS
REDUCED FROM 7’6” TO 7’0”
R308.4 SAFETY GLAZING
WINDOWS IN & AROUND STAIRWAYS &
LANDINGS WITHIN 60” OF FLOOR
R309 GARAGE FIRE SEPARATION
½” DRYWALL STANDARD
5/8” TYPE X ON CEILING WITH ROOM ABOVE
PLUS ½” ON ALL SUPPORTING WALLS
4” STEP DOWN IS NO LONGER REQUIRED
FLOOR MUST SLOPE TOWARD DOORS OR DRAIN
20 MINUTE RATED DOOR MIN. SELF CLOSING
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R310 EMERGENCY EGRESS (BEDROOMS)
WINDOWS
24” CLEAR OPENING HEIGHT
20” CLEAR OPENING WIDTH
5.7 SQ.FT. NET CLEAR OPENING
IRC ADDRESSES SPECIFIC
INFORMATION ON DESIGN
OF WINDOW WELLS FOR EMERGENCY
EGRESS
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R310 EMERGENCY EGRESS (BASEMENTS)
EMERGENCY EGRESS REQUIRED
FROM ALL BASEMENT AREAS
(FUTURE HABITABLE SPACE)
BEDROOMS OR SLEEPING AREAS
DOORS, STAIRWAYS, BILCO DOORS,
EMERGENCY WINDOWS ARE ALL
ACCEPTABLE
THIS IS NOT AN APPROVED MEANS OF EGRESS !!!
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R311 MEANS OF EGRESS
ACCESSABLE STORAGE AREAS UNDER
STAIRWAYS MUST BE DRYWALLED.
NO CHANGE IN STAIR REQUIREMENTS
8 1/4” MAX RISER
9” MAX TREAD
R312 GUARD RAILS/ HAND RAILS
MAXIMUM OPENING CHANGED FROM
6” TO 4”
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
R313.1 SMOKE DETECTORS
MUST BE INSTALLED
ON ALL FLOORS
IN ALL BEDROOMS
VICINITY OF ALL SLEEPING
AREAS
R321.1 BUILDING ADDRESSES NOW REQUIRED
4” HIGH FOR SINGLE FAMILY
6” HIGH FOR MULTI-FAMILY
MUST BE CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM
STREET
IRC 2003 SECTION 300
CODE SECTION
R317
DESCRIPTION
DWELLING UNIT FIRE SEPARATION
DUPLEX – 1 HOUR SEPARATION
TOWNHOUSES (SEMI DETACHED)
2 HR SEPARATION WALL WITH
PARAPET OR INSTALLATION OF
FIRE-RETARDENT SHEATHING 4’ ON
EITHER SIDE OF SEPARATION WALL
NO OPENINGS PERMITTED WITHIN 4’ OF
SEPARATION WALL
NO SPRINKLER EXCEPTION
IRC 2003 SECTION 400
CODE SECTION
R403.1.4.1
DESCRIPTION
FROST DEPTH FOUNDATION
NOT REQUIRED FOR FREE
STANDING ACCESSORY
STRUCTURES <= 400 SQ.FT.
PERMITS ARE NO LONGER
REQUIRED FOR ACCESSORY
BUILDINGS UNDER 200 SQ.FT.
IRC 2003 SECTION 400
CODE SECTION
R404.1
DESCRIPTION
FOUNDATIONS
HOUSE LOCATION SURVEY
REQUIRED BEFORE FOUNDATION
INSPECTION
NEW TABLES BASED ON SOIL TYPE
AND BACKFILL HEIGHT
SPECIFIC REINFORCEMENT
REQUIREMENTS
IRC 2003 SECTION 400
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
IRC 2003 SECTION 400
CODE SECTION
R408.5.1
DESCRIPTION
PIERS
MUST BE SUPPORTED BY EARTH ON
ALL SIDES IN CRAWL SPACES
CANNOT BE FORMED ON TOP OF
GROUND
IRC 2003 SECTION 400
CODE SECTION
R406
DESCRIPTION
WATER/DAMP PROOFING
WATERPROOFING ONLY REQUIRED
WHEN PROOF OF HIGH WATER
TABLE OR SEVERE SOIL CONDITION
IS SUBMITTED
ENGINEERS REPORT REQUIRED BY
OPTION OF BUILDER
REQUEST OF INSPECTOR
IRC 2003 SECTION 500
CODE SECTION
R502.8
DESCRIPTION
SPANS, CUTTING, & NOTCHING
BASICALLY THE SAME ONLY MINOR
MODIFICATIONS TO TABLES
JOIST BLOCKING OVER GIRDERS
REQUIRED WHERE JOISTS DO
NOT OVER LAP AT LEAST 3”
EXAMPLE 12”OC TO 16”OC
IRC 2003 SECTION 600
CODE SECTION
R602.3
DESCRIPTION
STUD SPACING
IRC 2003 SECTION 600
CODE SECTION
R602.3.1
DESCRIPTION
STUD SPACING FOR WALLS > 10’
IRC SPECIFIES STUD SIZE &
SPACING FOR WALLS GREATER
THAN 10’ FOR VARIOUS
LOADING SITUATIONS
IRC 2003 SECTION 700
CODE SECTION
R7
DESCRIPTION
WALL COVERINGS
EXTERIOR BRICK VENIER SUPPORT
IRC OFFERS ALTERNATIVE
DESIGNS THAT IF INSTALLED
PER CODE ENGINEERS DESIGN
IS NOT REQUIRED
IRC 2003 SECTION 800
CODE SECTION
R7
DESCRIPTION
RAFTERS AND JOISTS
CHANGES IN SPAN TABLES
RESULTS ABOUT THE SAME
ALLOWS FOR INTERPOLATION
IRC 2003 SECTION 800/900
CODE SECTION
R802.10.5
R900.0
DESCRIPTION
TRUSS & WALL CONNECTIONS
TRUSS CONNECTIONS REQUIRED
DESIGNED TO RESIST MIN. 175
POUNDS OF LIFT
ROOF ASSEMBLIES
ICE PROTECTION
REQUIRED FOR SLOPES < 4:12
30 LBS FELT OR EQUIVELANT
IRC 2003 ENERGY CODE
CODE SECTION
DESCRIPTION
MARYLAND STATE ENERGY CODE
As part of the International Energy Conservation Code the state of
Maryland has adopted the Maryland Energy Code with no local
amendments allowed. At this time Washington County does not
perform energy code inspections, with the exception of verifying
proper installation, flame and smoke developed index on exposed
insulation, but recognizes the importance of energy conservation.
R316.1
R318.1
FLAME SPREAD INDEX <= 25
SMOKE-DEVELOPED INDEX <= 450
VAPOR RETARDER SHALL BE INSTALLED
ON THE WARM-IN-WINTER SIDE OF
INSULATION