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

Economics

Jul 08, 2026

Where Is Home Building Employment Most Concentrated?

Despite nationwide job losses, residential construction remains a significant source of local employment in many markets, particularly in rural areas.

Digital Media

Jul 07, 2026

Pro Builder Accepting Nominations for 2026 Young Guns & Legends Awards

Pro Builder recently announced it is accepting nominations for the 2026 Young Guns & Legends Awards, which honor rising stars and career legends in the residential construction industry.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jul 08, 2026

Mortgage Activity Flat in June, ARM Share Decreases

Mortgage applications stalled in June as higher mortgage rates dampened market activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, stayed relatively unchanged with a marginal decrease of 0.3% month-over-month on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Economics

Jul 08, 2026

Characteristics of Homes in Age-Restricted Communities

In 2025, approximately 47,000 homes were built in age-restricted communities, representing 3.45% of all housing starts. According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, roughly two-thirds of these homes (30,000) were single-family units, while the remaining 17,000 were multifamily units.

Economics

Jul 07, 2026

Residential Construction Employment Concentrated in Rural and Smaller-Market Counties

Residential construction employment continued to soften in recent months, reflecting elevated interest rates, ongoing affordability challenges, and slower home building activity.