Code references for Arkansas

Compare publications and accessories linked by code family and edition to records for Arkansas. A match does not establish the requirement for your project. Read each record’s status, scope, dates and amendments, then confirm with the applicable authority.

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Arkansas sets mandatory statewide minimum codes, but adoption is split across multiple agencies: Building/Fire/Residential codes are combined into the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (State Fire Marshal), while Electrical (Board of Electrical Examiners), Mechanical (Dept. of Labor and Licensing), Plumbing/Fuel Gas (Dept. of Health), and Energy (Dept. of Energy & Environment) are adopted independently by their respective boards. Local jurisdictions may adopt more-stringent amendments but cannot weaken the state minimum.

Authority: Arkansas Dept. of Public Safety, State Fire Marshal's Office (building/fire/residential); Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing (mechanical, electrical via Board of Electrical Examiners); Arkansas Dept. of Health (plumbing, fuel gas); Arkansas Dept. of Energy & Environment (energy)

View the state's official source

International Building Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Arkansas. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Adopted as Volume II of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, with Arkansas-specific amendments, by the State Fire Marshal's Office. Statutory basis A.C.A. Title 20, Subtitle 2, Ch. 22 (§20-22-1010) and §12-13-105/120.

Record last verified: 2026-09-03

Effective date: 2023-01-01

Recorded source: https://media.ark.org/dps/ASP-Foreword-Fire-Code-Rules-Redlined_10-2024.pdf

International Residential Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Arkansas. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Adopted as Volume III of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, with Arkansas-specific amendments.

Record last verified: 2026-09-03

Effective date: 2023-01-01

Recorded source: https://media.ark.org/dps/ASP-Foreword-Fire-Code-Rules-Redlined_10-2024.pdf

International Fire Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Arkansas. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Adopted as Volume I ('Fire Code') of the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, with Arkansas-specific amendments. Local jurisdictions may add more-restrictive local amendments only.

Record last verified: 2026-09-03

Effective date: 2023-01-01

Recorded source: https://media.ark.org/dps/ASP-Foreword-Fire-Code-Rules-Redlined_10-2024.pdf

International Plumbing Code 2018

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Arkansas. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: 'Arkansas Plumbing Code, 9th Edition' — based on 2018 IPC with Arkansas State Board of Health amendments. A.C.A. §17-38-103 gives it 'the effect and force of law in the form of minimum standards statewide.'

Record last verified: 2026-09-03

Effective date: Unknown

Recorded source: https://codeofarrules.arkansas.gov/Rules/Rule?levelType=part&titleID=17&chapterID=93&subChapterID=119&partID=436

National Electrical Code 2023

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

Jurisdiction: Arkansas. Applicability depends on the program, building type and local authority described below.

Program scope and amendment notes: Adopted by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners, with exceptions: Section 210.8(F) (GFCI/HVAC) and Article 200 provisions remain governed by the 2020 edition. Supersedes the 2020 NEC still shown as current by most secondary trackers.

Record last verified: 2026-09-03

Effective date: Unknown

Recorded source: https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-NEC-Adoption-rule-Electrical-clean-Copy.pdf