The International Code Council (ICC) is the nonprofit organization that develops the International Codes, or I-Codes, the model building and safety codes adopted by most jurisdictions in the United States.
The ICC was founded in 1994 by the three regional code groups that had written separate model codes for different parts of the country: BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI. Merging their work produced a single national family of codes, first published as the 2000 editions. The I-Codes are updated on a three-year cycle, and each state or city adopts an edition, often with local amendments.
I-Codes that matter for parking
- International Building Code (IBC). Sets construction types, height and area limits, and the requirements for open and enclosed parking garages.
- International Fire Code (IFC). Covers fire protection, access, and hazards including EV charging and energy storage.
- International Mechanical Code (IMC). Governs ventilation, which is central to enclosed garages.
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Energy rules, including lighting power and controls.
How adoption works
- The ICC publishes model codes; they become law only when a state or local government adopts them.
- Jurisdictions may lag several editions behind and often amend sections, so the governing edition must be confirmed for every project.
The Parkonomics view
The question on any parking project is not what the newest I-Code says but which edition the local authority has adopted, with which amendments. Confirm that first. It decides whether a garage is open or enclosed, how it must be ventilated and sprinklered, and which energy and lighting rules apply.
Related terms: Enclosed Parking Garage, Reach Code, Demand-Controlled Ventilation, Uniform Building Code
Further reading: The Evolution of U.S. Parking Structures in 2026