The City of Baytown

Commercial and Industrial Building

The International Building Code, (IBC) 2009 edition, is adopted, as amended by Section 18-92 of the Code of Ordinances, as the commercial and industrial building code for use within the city limits of Baytown.

Residential Building

The International Residential Code, (IRC) 2009 edition, published by the International Code Council is adopted, as amended by section 18-652 of the Code of Ordinances, as the one and two family dwelling and townhouse building code for use within the city limits of Baytown.

Mechanical Code

The International Mechanical Code, (IMC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council is adopted, as amended by Section 18-557 of the Code of Ordinances, as the mechanical code for use within the city limits of Baytown.

Plumbing Code

The International Plumbing Code, (IPC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council, is adopted, as amended by Section 18-462 of the Code of Ordinances, as the plumbing code for use within the city limits of Baytown.

Electrical Code 

The National Electrical Code, (NEC) 2011 edition, published by National Fire Protection Association, and the electrical public utility company’s meter loop specifications are adopted as the electrical codes for use within the city limits of Baytown. In addition, special rules regarding electrical construction and all materials and appliances used in connection with the installation, maintenance and operation of electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment for the utilization of electrical energy for light, heat or power inside the city limits are contained in the City of Baytown Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18.

Energy Conservation Code

The International Energy Conservation Code, (IECC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council, is adopted, as amended by Section 18-628 of the Code of Ordinances, as the energy conservation code for use within the city limits of Baytown. The energy conservation code establishes minimum prescriptive and performance-related regulation for the design of energy-efficient buildings and structures for the effective use of energy.

Fuel Gas Code

The International Fuel Gas Code, (IFC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council is adopted, as amended by Section 18-622 of the Code of Ordinances, as the fuel gas code for regulating the installation and maintenance of all fuel gas systems within the city limits of Baytown.

Property Maintenance Code

The International Property Maintenance Code, (IPMC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council is adopted, as amended by Section 18-625 of the Code of Ordinances, as the property Maintenance code for use within the city limits of Baytown. The provisions in the property maintenance code shall apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment, and facilities maintenance.

Existing Building Code

The International Existing Building Code, (IEBC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council, is adopted, as amended by Section 18-765 of the Code of Ordinances, as the existing building code for use within the city limits of Baytown. The existing building code establishes minimum prescriptive and performance-related regulation in the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings and structures within the city limits.

Fire Code

The International Fire Code, (IFC) 2009 edition, published by International Code Council is adopted as the fire prevention code for use within the city limits of Baytown.

Floodplain Management

The City of Baytown floodplains are governed under the regulations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and City of Baytown Code of Ordinance Chapter 110 “Floods”. The Chief Building Official is appointed Floodplain Administrator to administer and implement this article and other appropriate sections of 44 CFR (National Flood Insurance Program) regulations pertaining to floodplain management. The extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is governed by either the Harris County or Chambers County Flood Control District.

Signs

The installation and maintenance of all signs within the corporate limits of the City of Baytown are standardized through the provisions of Chapter 118 of the City of Baytown Code of Ordinances. The sign code enforcement officer in the Building Services Division is responsible for the issuance and renewal of all sign permits and inspection and compliance thereafter.

Landscaping

The Landscaping Ordinance (Chapter18, art XI Code of Ordinances) applies to all multi-family dwellings, manufactured home parks, RV parks and all nonresidential development of land within the City of Baytown limits.

Industrial/Petrochemical

Industrial/petrochemical facilities constructed or expanded in the Baytown city limits (not in an Industrial District) must adhere to the above applicable codes as well as any applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, as determined by the Fire Chief and the Chief Building Official.