CODE COMPLIANCE & Permits
North Dakota's primarily uses model building codes:
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Residential Code (IRC)
- International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
For Permits and Compliance: Contact your local city or county building department to understand any amendments enforced in your area. If a city, county, or township elects to adopt and enforce building codes, it must adopt and enforce the State Building Code. However, a jurisdiction is permitted to further amend the State Building Code to conform to local needs. Fully chartered home rule cities may adopt something other than the State Building Code, but at the present time, all that enforce a building code have elected to adopt the same individual codes that make up the State Building Code.
climate zone
CZ 6 (Climate Zone 6) Far Southeast of North Dakota
- Characteristics: Classified as a "cold" climate, Zone 6 has between 5,400 and 9,000 Heating Degree Days. It experiences cold winters and warm to hot summers, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from −10°𝐹 to 0°𝐹.
- Geographic variation: The presence of this zone in the southeast means that this area has slightly milder winters compared to the rest of the state, though still significantly cold.
- Building codes: Like Zone 7, buildings in Zone 6 are required to meet high energy efficiency standards, although requirements for insulation and other thermal measures may be slightly less stringent than in the very cold Zone 7.
CZ 7 (Climate Zone 7) Dominant in most of North Dakota
- Characteristics: Considered a "very-cold" climate, Zone 7 is defined by having between 9,000 and 12,600 Heating Degree Days (HDD). It is dominated by heating needs and has an average annual minimum winter temperature ranging from 0°𝐹 to 10°𝐹.
- Weather in North Dakota's Zone 7: The region experiences very cold, windy winters with average temperatures as low as 2°𝐹 in January, as well as warm summers. Frost-free days are limited, typically from late May to mid-September.
- Building codes: Construction in this zone requires high-performance insulation, windows, and airtight sealing to minimize heat loss during the long, cold winter.
How zones are used
Governing regulations:
The climate zones are used by builders and contractors to determine the insulation requirements for different parts of a home, such as the walls, attic, and foundation.
Specific requirements:
Buildings in the northern pockets of Zone 7 will have higher insulation standards than those in the rest of the state that fall under Zone 6, as they need to withstand colder winter temperatures.