Building Codes and Affordable Housing

When we bought our house in the country, I was thrilled that I wouldn’t have to abide by any local jurisdiction’s building codes.  I’ve since learned that EVERYONE should follow code, and with good reason.  Codes are designed to provide a safe, sanitary and functional home.  Most people would recognize the obvious danger of not following electrical codes…FIRE or ELECTROCUTION!  But what about plumbing codes?  Have you ever been in the shower when someone flushed the toilet, and either been scalded, or had a drastic drop in water pressure?  Following proper water supply sizing, as determined by plumbing codes, would have prevented that.  Have you ever been frustrated that there isn’t an electrical outlet nearby?  The code specifies minimum spacing for outlets!  The 2009 International Residential Code (2009 IRC) has the latest code requirements for One and Two Family Dwellings. I personally like something more concise (and with pictures!), so I carry Code Check Complete: An Illustrated Guide to Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes with me, and if I need to do more research, I dig into the IRC.