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
Jul 22, 2026
Inflation Risks Rise from Renewed Iran WarRenewed hostilities in the Middle East and the end of the ceasefire are placing upward pressure on oil prices, which have risen above $80 a barrel. Rising energy costs are expected to push July inflation higher.
Jul 22, 2026
Lot Sizes for New Homes Remained Near Historic Lows in 2025The median lot size for newly built single-family detached homes edged up slightly in 2025. But the increase was modest and did not alter the broader trend toward more compact neighborhood development.
Latest Economic News
Jul 21, 2026
Shrinking Lots: Trend Levels Off as Smaller Lots Remain the NormThe long-term shift toward building single-family detached homes on smaller lots appears to have stabilized. According to the latest Survey of Construction (SOC), the share of new homes built on smaller lots remained near record highs in 2025, following more than a decade of steadily shrinking lot sizes.
Jul 20, 2026
Exterior Material Trends in Single-Family HomesVinyl siding was the most used principle exterior wall material for homes started construction in 2025. This material held just over a quarter share of homes, surpassing stucco for the second time since 2018. The declining share for stucco reflected the slowdown for home building in parts of the Sun Belt.
Jul 17, 2026
Multifamily Gains Lift Overall Starts Despite Single-Family DeclineStrong multifamily growth pushed overall housing starts higher in June, while single-family production remained sluggish as elevated mortgage rates, rising construction costs and persistent labor shortages continued to weigh on the market.