New Report from NAHB and ICC Focuses on Code Compliance Issues

Codes and Standards
Published

The International Code Council and NAHB recently released a new report designed to help builders improve the safety and satisfaction of their customers.

The "2019 Common Code Noncompliance Report" highlights for builders and remodelers the items code officials are most likely to flag in inspections and plan reviews during the construction process.

This information, developed from a survey of U.S. code officials, should prove valuable in helping builders and remodelers focus more intently on these potential problem areas before and during construction.

The survey found:

  • Technology has made some inroads into the development, review and issuance of construction plans.
  • Code officials identify workers ignoring the manufacturer’s installation instructions as the greatest cause of code violations.
  • There is an indication of a rising trend in new home code violations on apartments, townhouses, condominiums and custom high-end homes.

This survey is a follow-up to similar surveys deployed in April 2006 and December 2012, and the results are tracked against previous results.

In general, the following issues reported mixed improvement results from survey to survey:

  • Windows continue to be an issue.
  • Electrical grounding and bonding violations have increased.
  • Most railing and guard rail issues have decreased.

Download the full report.

For additional information, contact Felicia Watson.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Construction Statistics | Multifamily

Mar 23, 2026

Best Year for Multifamily Missing Middle Construction Since 2007

Although not a huge jump, 2025 featured the highest construction volume for multifamily missing middle housing starts since 2007. However, this subsector continues to underperform relative to its potential, due in part to zoning restrictions.

Safety

Mar 23, 2026

Roofing Safety in Home Building Starts at the Top

Roofing is an inherently dangerous job, with workers exposed to the elements at height on a pitched surface with few natural barriers. Due to this reality, it’s also the job with the most safety resources and products.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 24, 2026

Almost Half of the Owner-Occupied Homes Built Before 1980

Around 47% of the U.S. housing stock was built in the 1980s and earlier. The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years old in 2024, up from 31 in 2005 according to the latest data from the American Community Survey.

Economics

Mar 23, 2026

Comparing New and Resale Prices: 4Q25

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the median price for a new single-family home was $405,300, which was $9,600 lower than the median price of an existing home, which stood at $414,900.

Economics

Mar 23, 2026

Demolition Activity Slows Down But Remains Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Residential demolition activity in 2025 declined 0.1% year-over-year but remained above pre-pandemic levels. According to NAHB analysis of data from Construction Monitor, permits pulled for residential demolition have been increasing since 2018, with the exception of 2020, when building-related activities broadly stalled.