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

Environmental Issues | Advocacy

Feb 27, 2026

New Army Corps Initiative Will Streamline Permitting Process

The Army Corps of Engineers on Feb. 23 announced a new initiative called “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” that the agency said will “shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork.”

Labor

Feb 27, 2026

Labor Department Proposes New FLSA Independent Contractor Rule

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today published notice of its intent to revise its regulations that distinguish covered employees from exempt independent contractors for enforcement purposes under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other laws.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 27, 2026

Gains for Student Housing Construction in the Last Quarter of 2025

Private fixed investment for student dormitories was up 1.5% in the last quarter of 2025, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.9 billion. This gain followed three consecutive quarterly declines before rebounding in the final two quarters of the year.

Economics

Feb 27, 2026

Price Growth for Building Materials Slows to Start the Year

Residential building material prices rose at a slower rate in January, according to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the first decline in the rate of price growth since April of last year. Metal products continue to experience price increases, while specific wood products are showing declines in prices.

Economics

Feb 26, 2026

Home Improvement Loan Applications Moderate as Borrower Profile Gradually Ages

Home improvement activity has remained elevated in the post-pandemic period, but both the volume of loan applications and the age profile of borrowers have shifted in notable ways. Data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), analyzed by NAHB, show that total home improvement loan applications have eased from their recent post-pandemic peak, and the distribution of borrowers across age groups has gradually tilted older.