Code references for Rhode Island

Compare publications and accessories linked by code family and edition to records for Rhode Island. 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.

Read the state coverage carefully

Rhode Island operates a single mandatory statewide code system under R.I. Gen. Laws Ch. 23-27.3 (State Building Code) and Ch. 23-28.01 (Fire Safety Code Act) — not home-rule. The Building Code Commission promulgates one uniform statewide building/energy/plumbing/mechanical/electrical code set, and the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review promulgates one uniform statewide fire/life-safety code set. Local municipalities enforce through local officials but cannot adopt differing editions or amendments.

Authority: RI Building Code Commission / Building Code Standards Committee (Dept. of Business Regulation); RI Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review / Office of the State Fire Marshal.

View the state's official source

International Building Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Building Code (RISBC-1/SBC-1), adopted by the Building Code Standards Committee.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-1

International Residential Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI One & Two-Family Dwelling Code (SBC-2).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-2

International Plumbing Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Plumbing Code (SBC-3).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-3

International Mechanical Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Mechanical Code (SBC-4).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-4

International Property Maintenance Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Property Maintenance Code (SBC-6).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-6

International Existing Building Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Existing Building Code (SBC-7); integrates with the separate RI Rehabilitation Code.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/Part/510-00-00-7

International Energy Conservation Code 2024

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Energy Conservation Code (SBC-8) — edition advanced independently of the IBC, which stayed at 2021.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-8

International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Swimming Pool and Spa Code (SBC-14).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-14

International Fuel Gas Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Fuel Gas Code (SBC-19).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-19

Fire Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Fire Code (RIFC), adopted by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review as part of a 3-code package update.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2026-03-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/450-00-00-7

Life Safety Code 2021

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Life Safety Code (RILSC), same 2026-03-01 package; includes NFPA 101 Ch. 43 (Building Rehabilitation).

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2026-03-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/450-00-00-8

National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2022

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: RI Fire Alarm Code (RIFAC), same 2026-03-01 package.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2026-03-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/450-00-00-10

National Electrical Code 2023

Recorded status: Confirmed statewide code

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

Program scope and amendment notes: Adopted as the RI Electrical Code (SBC-5); regulation states NEC 2023 may also be referenced as NFPA 70 2023.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: 2025-12-01

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/510-00-00-5

Health Care Facilities Code 2015

Recorded status: Local or program-specific evidence only

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

Program scope and amendment notes: Cited within RI Dept. of Health hospital licensing regulation for licensed hospitals only, not a general statewide code.

Record last verified: 2026-09-04

Effective date: Unknown

Recorded source: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-10-4