# Above-grade Wall: Building Code Definition > How the IECC 2009 define above-grade wall, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/above-grade-wall/ - Last updated: 2026-09-07 - Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Defined in | IECC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) | | Primary source | IECC 2009 Definitions (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) | | Chapters using the term | 7 (counted across the codes hosted here) | | Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) | ## Direct answer Above-grade wall is a defined term in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009, in Definitions. The code's own words are: “A wall more than 50 percent above grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IECC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 7 chapters of this corpus, most often in Foundations (IRC 2009), Commercial Energy Efficiency (IECC 2009), Wall Construction (IRC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. *Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.* ## What does this term mean? **Above-grade Wall** — IECC 2009, Definitions: > A wall more than 50 percent above grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Above-grade Wall: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/above-grade-wall/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IECC 2009 define above-grade wall, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? **Above-grade Wall** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/iecc-2009/definitions.md) chapter of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009: > A wall more than 50 percent above grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts. ## Where above-grade wall is used in the code The term appears in 7 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next. | Chapter | Code | Mentions | | --- | --- | --- | | [Foundations](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/foundations.md) | IRC 2009 | 27 | | [Commercial Energy Efficiency](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/iecc-2009/commercial-energy-efficiency.md) | IECC 2009 | 13 | | [Wall Construction](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/wall-construction.md) | IRC 2009 | 10 | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/iecc-2009/definitions.md) | IECC 2009 | 7 | | [Residential Energy Efficiency](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/iecc-2009/residential-energy-efficiency.md) | IECC 2009 | 2 | | [Energy Efficiency](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/energy-efficiency.md) | IRC 2009 | 2 | | [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/definitions.md) | IRC 2009 | 1 | ### The term in use How the code actually writes about above-grade wall, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here: > For basement walls supporting above-grade concrete walls, vertical reinforcement shall be the greater of that required by Tables R404.1.2(2) through R404.1.2(8) or by Section R611.6 for the above-grade wall. — [IRC 2009 §R404.1.2.2](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/foundations.md) > Where the above-grade wall is supported by a monolithic slab-on-ground and footing, dowel bars with a size and spacing to match the vertical above-grade concrete wall reinforcement shall be embedded in the monolithic slab-on-ground and footing the distance required to develop the dowel bar in tension in accordance with Section R611.5.4.4 and Figure R611.5.4(2) and lap-spliced with the above-grade wall … — [IRC 2009 §R611.6.3](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/maryland/irc-2009/wall-construction.md) ## The terms above-grade wall is built out of The definition above leans on 4 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what above-grade wall covers: - **[Conditioned Space](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/conditioned-space.md)** — IRC 2009: For energy purposes, space within a building that is provided with heating and/or cooling equipmentor systems capable of maintaining, through design or heat loss/gain, 50°F (IO°C) during the heating season and 85°F (29°C) during the cooling season, or communicates directly … - **[Basement](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/basement.md)** — IBC 2009: A story that is not a storyabovegrade plane (see "Story above grade plane" in Section 202). - **[Skylight](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/skylight.md)** — IECC 2009: Glass or other transparent or translucent glazing material installed at a slope of 15 degrees (0.26 rad) or more from vertical. - **[Grade](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/grade.md)** — IRC 2009: The finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. ## Above-grade Wall: what to open, and in what order Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows. | Check | Where | Confirmed | | --- | --- | --- | | Read the definition in the adopted IECC | Definitions | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Foundations (IRC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Commercial Energy Efficiency (IECC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Wall Construction (IRC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IECC 2009) | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Conditioned Space | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Basement | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Skylight | | | Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | | **A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply. ## Where can you explore related guidance? - [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md) - [Conditioned Space: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/conditioned-space.md) - [Skylight: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/skylight.md) - [Basement: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/basement.md) - [Grade: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/grade.md) ## Sources and method Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control. ### Source links - [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) - [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the code definition of above-grade wall? The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009 defines it in Definitions as: “A wall more than 50 percent above grade and enclosing conditioned space. This includes between-floor spandrels, peripheral edges of floors, roof and basement knee walls, dormer walls, gable end walls, walls enclosing a mansard roof and skylight shafts.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally. ### Which parts of the code depend on above-grade wall? In this corpus the term is used across 7 chapters, led by Foundations in the IRC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Fabove-grade-wall%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/above-grade-wall/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt