New Report from NAHB and ICC Focuses on Code Compliance Issues
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.
For additional information, contact Felicia Watson.
Latest from NAHBNow
On the latest episode of NAHB podcast Housing Developments, NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz joins CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez to discuss the latest economic forecasts and how they have changed this year due to geopolitical turmoil.
The New American Remodel 2027 will be much more than a beautiful show home. It will highlight just how far building products and techniques have advanced in a relatively short period of time.
Latest Economic News
The share of new single-family homes built with individual wells and septic systems increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. According to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), approximately 10% of single-family homes started in 2025 were served by individual (private) wells, and 17% relied on individual septic systems.
In the third quarter of 2026, the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 62, up one point compared to the previous quarter. The RMI has remained within a narrow band between 59 and 70 for the past four years.
Mortgage application activity declined as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, decreased 7.7% month-over-month in September on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were lower by 35.4%.