Building Code
Inspections
To request an inspection, please email type of inspection needed, permit number and address to inspections@newbraunfels.gov.
You will need to have a valid permit number and indicate the type of inspection needed.
Resources
ISO’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS)
The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS®) assesses the building codes in effect in a particular community and how the community enforces its building codes, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards.
The concept is simple; municipalities with well-enforced, up-to-date codes should demonstrate better loss experience, and insurance rates can reflect that. The prospect of lessening catastrophe-related damage and ultimately lowering insurance costs provides an incentive for communities to enforce their building codes rigorously; especially as they relate to windstorm and earthquake damage.
The anticipated upshot; safer buildings, less damage, and lower insured losses from catastrophes.
Grading Scale
The BCEGS program assigns each municipality a BCEGS grade of 1 (exemplary commitment to building-code enforcement) to 10. ISO develops advisory rating credits that apply to ranges of BCEGS classifications (1-3, 4-7, 8-9, 10). ISO gives insurers BCEGS classifications, BCEGS advisory credits, and related underwriting information.
The City of New Braunfels ISO rating is (Class 4) for 1 and 2 Family dwellings and (Class 3) for all other construction.
Exposure
ISO began implementing the program in states with high exposure to wind (hurricane) hazards, then moved to states with high seismic exposure, and then continued through the rest of the country.
FAQs
Follow the links for frequently asked questions about BCEGS:
2018 Code Adoption
The City of New Braunfels adopted the 2018 editions of the International Building / International Residential Codes (IBC/IRC) and the 2017 edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) as of January 28, 2019. Below is a list of all codes we currently operate under.
Ch.14 Building Regulations Ordinance
(IBC) International Building Code 2018 Edition
(IPMC) International Property Maintenance Code 2018 Edition
(IMC) International Mechanical Code 2018 Edition
(IPC) International Plumbing Code 2018 Edition
(IFGC) International Fuel Gas Code 2018 Edition
(IRC) International Residential Code One-and-Two Family Dwellings 2018 Edition
(NEC) National Electrical Code 2017 Edition
(IECC) International Energy Conservation Code 2018 Edition
(IFC) International Fire Code 2018 Edition
(ISPSC) International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2018 Edition
(IEBC) International Existing Building Code 2018 Edition
All of the referenced Codes can be viewed at the New Braunfels Public Library.
Code Interpretations
Floodplain Management
What buildings or structures are counted cumulatively for any and all improvements, repairs, modifications and additions?