Updated 2026-09-07

Building Code Glossary

Code Official: Building Code Definition

How the IRC 2009, IMC 2009, IPC 2009, IECC 2009 define code official, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

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Last updated September 7, 2026 · 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.

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Direct answer

Code official is a defined term in the International Residential Code (IRC) 2009, in Fuel Gas. The code's own words are: “The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.” The IMC 2009, IPC 2009, IECC 2009 carry the same definition word for word, so the term means the same thing in each. The term is used in 63 chapters of this corpus, most often in Scope and Administration (IFC 2009), Scope and Administration (IMC 2009), Scope and Administration (IPC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted. Record the jurisdiction, the adopted edition, the application date and any local amendment that rewrites the definition before you use it on a live project, because a term redefined by amendment changes every requirement that depends on it.

Content and cited inputs reviewed by Scott Barrington, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.

What does this term mean?

Code Official — IRC 2009, Fuel Gas:

The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.

Labeled code-term definition diagram: Code Official: Building Code Definition — How the IRC 2009, IMC 2009, IPC 2009, IECC 2009 define code official, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

What must be verified before using this guidance?

Four of the I-Codes in this corpus define Code Official, in identical words.

Code	Where it is defined	Definition
IRC 2009	Fuel Gas	The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
IMC 2009	Definitions	The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
IPC 2009	Definitions	The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
IECC 2009	Definitions	The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.

Where code official is used in the code

The term appears in 63 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

Chapter	Code	Mentions
Scope and Administration	IFC 2009	194
Scope and Administration	IMC 2009	154
Scope and Administration	IPC 2009	151
Flammable and Combustible Liquids	IFC 2009	89
Fire Protection Systems	IFC 2009	86
Fire Protection Systems	IBC 2009	53
Administration	IECC 2009	49
Fire Service Features	IFC 2009	39
Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages	IFC 2009	39
Hazardous Materials-general Provisions	IFC 2009	32
Building Services and Systems	IFC 2009	30
Emergency Planning and Preparedness	IFC 2009	30

51 further chapters mention the term.

The term in use

How the code actually writes about code official, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:

Subject to the approval of the fire code official, the use or occupancy of an existing structure shall be allowed to be changed and the structure is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups without conforming to all the requirements of this code and the International BUilding Code for those groups, provided the new or proposed use is …

— IFC 2009 §102.3

To determine compliance with this provision, the code official shall have the authority to require a mechanical system to be reinspected.

— IMC 2009 §102.3

It shall be unlawful to make any change in the occupancy of any structure that will subject the structure to any special provision of this code applicable to the new occupancywithout approval of the code official.

— IPC 2009 §102.5

Code Official: what to open, and in what order

Every row is a document this term depends on. The ICC code library and the ICC adoption maps cover the middle rows.

Check	Where	Confirmed
Read the definition in the adopted IRC	Fuel Gas
Read the definition in the adopted IMC	Definitions
Read the definition in the adopted IPC	Definitions
Read the definition in the adopted IECC	Definitions
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Scope and Administration (IFC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Scope and Administration (IMC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Scope and Administration (IPC 2009)
Re-check the requirement that uses it	Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009)
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.

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 publishes the current model text and the ICC adoption maps show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the code definition of code official?

The International Residential Code (IRC) 2009 defines it in Fuel Gas as: “The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.” 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.

Do the I-Codes define code official the same way?

In the 2009 editions transcribed here, yes: IRC 2009, IMC 2009, IPC 2009, IECC 2009 carry the same wording, so the term means the same thing in each. Later editions do diverge on some terms, so confirm against the adopted edition rather than assuming the alignment holds.

Which parts of the code depend on code official?

In this corpus the term is used across 63 chapters, led by Scope and Administration in the IFC 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.

What is the definition of a building code?

Building is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.” That is not the same as code official, which the IRC 2009 defines as “The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.

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