Building Code Glossary
Court: Building Code Definition
How the IBC 2009, IRC 2009, IFC 2009 define court, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.
On this page
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.
Direct answer
Court is a defined term in the International Building Code (IBC) 2009, in Definitions. The code's own words are: “An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices.” The IRC 2009, IFC 2009 define the same term with different wording, so the controlling text depends on which code governs the question in front of you — the comparison below sets the versions side by side. The term is used in 55 chapters of this corpus, most often in Accessibility (IBC 2009), Means of Egress (IBC 2009), Means of Egress (IFC 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, Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.
What does this term mean?
Court — IBC 2009, Definitions:
An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices.
What must be verified before using this guidance?
Three of the I-Codes in this corpus define Court, and the wording is not identical — read the version that governs your question.
| Code | Where it is defined | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| IBC 2009 | Definitions | An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices. |
| IRC 2009 | Definitions | A space, open and unobstructed to the sky, located at or above grade level on a lot and bounded on three or more sides by walls or a building. |
| IFC 2009 | Definitions | An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices. |
Where court is used in the code
The term appears in 55 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.
| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | IBC 2009 | 54 |
| Means of Egress | IBC 2009 | 39 |
| Means of Egress | IFC 2009 | 38 |
| Interior Environment | IBC 2009 | 37 |
| Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy | IBC 2009 | 21 |
| Definitions | IFC 2009 | 16 |
| Fire Protection Systems | IBC 2009 | 14 |
| Fire Protection Systems | IFC 2009 | 12 |
| Building Planning | IRC 2009 | 9 |
| Glass and Glazing | IBC 2009 | 8 |
| Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings | IFC 2009 | 8 |
| Use and Occupancy Classification | IBC 2009 | 6 |
43 further chapters mention the term.
The term in use
How the code actually writes about court, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:
The judge's bench, clerk's station, bailiff's station, deputy clerk's station and court reporter's station shall be located on an accessible route.
Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than I-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the court.
Such openings shall open directly into a public way or to a yard or court that opens to a public way.
The terms court is built out of
The definition above leans on 2 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what court covers:
- Building — IBC 2009: Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
- Grade — IRC 2009: The finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.
Court: 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 IBC | Definitions | |
| Read the definition in the adopted IRC | Definitions | |
| Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Definitions | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Accessibility (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IBC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Means of Egress (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Interior Environment (IBC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Building | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Grade | |
| 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?
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.
Source links
Frequently asked questions
What is the code definition of court?
The International Building Code (IBC) 2009 defines it in Definitions as: “An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices.” 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 court?
In this corpus the term is used across 55 chapters, led by Accessibility in the IBC 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.
Is a building code considered a law?
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 court, which the IBC 2009 defines as “An open, uncovered space, unobstructed to the sky, bounded on three or more sides by exterior building walls or other enclosing devices.” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
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