Building codes for some states are available in a read only format free online;
http://www.ecodes.biz/list_sub.cfm?m_cat_id=23 (http://www.ecodes.biz/list_sub.cfm?m_cat_id=23)
(The laws of the land should be carved in stone and set in the town square for all to freely read, but that's the beginning of a rant ;D)
My state, VA, uses a pretty stock version of the residential code, the IRC.
The 2006 version, which is what most states are using is here;
https://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Virginia/Residential/Res-Frameset.html (https://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Virginia/Residential/Res-Frameset.html)
The tab on the left side of the page downloads chapter by chapter.
On a totally unrelated topic, if there is ever something on your computer screen that you want to save and perhaps print here's one way to do it. The "print screen" key usually upper right on your keyboard copies the image of your screen to your notepad. Open a program like paint and click "edit" then "paste", the image of your screen should appear. You may then save or print that image from there. Here's an example for educational purposes only;
Thanks for the link to a valuable resource, Don_P. I have elected to make this topic sticky so it may be easily referenced by others.
The link to the Virginia codes, IRC 2006 is especially good. The entire IRC 2006 code is there. The information will be applicable to any area uses the IRC2006. Some areas may not use certain sections, so it is up to the individual to ascertain what is usable and pertinent to their situation. As Don_P noted, it is in a read only format. It is not even possible to highlight and copy sections of text.
https://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Virginia/Residential/Res-Frameset.html (https://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Virginia/Residential/Res-Frameset.html)
However, it is possible to use a Firefox plugin called Down Them All (http://www.downthemall.net/) to download all the pages. Save them to a folder on your computer. Then you can reference them at any time. It is still not possible to print or edit the pages so I don't feel there is any infringement being made, since the same material would be available through an internet connection.
If I am wrong in that estimation then this information should be deleted. Glenn. John. ???
We also have an online link to the IRC2003 located at the address below.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2590.0 (http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2590.0)
It's the same thing, read only. Seattle specific but the entire code is there. Handy if your locality still uses IRC2003
From Glenn in another topic
Stair Code including Handrails, Winders and Spiral 2003 IRC
16 page PDF
http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2003%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf
Seattle 2006 IRC code link...
http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Seattle2006/seattle_residential/res_frameset.htm (http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Seattle2006/seattle_residential/res_frameset.htm)
Some Oregon codes...
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/bcd/programs/codes_in_oregon.html (http://www.cbs.state.or.us/bcd/programs/codes_in_oregon.html)
Energy Codes. There's a downloadable program called ResChek that is a great tool when designing. It helps making your selection of doors, windows, types of walls, insulation etc. and have the building meet energy standards.
http://www.energycodes.gov/ (http://www.energycodes.gov/)
Here's a lengthy list of FTP downloads.
The documents are in PDF form.
http://ftp.resource.org/codes.gov/ (http://ftp.resource.org/codes.gov/)
Lots of info there :o
[cool]
w*
Judging from your handle this link to the NFPA might be of interest as well.
http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=124&URL=Codes%20&%20Standards
They also have free codes online, the link seems to be down at the moment but hopefully they'll get it back going. You'll need to set up a free account;
https://www.nfpa.org/catalog/services/Login/login2.asp?npg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enfpa%2Eorg%2Ffreecodes%2Ffree%5Faccess%5Fdocument%2Easp%3Fid%3D10109
The earlier link that Don had posted for the Visual Stair guide no longer works.
Here is a better link to three different codes concerned with stair construction and design.
http://www.arcways.com/codes.asp
(I have updated the link on the main CP site page as well.)
They updated the Visual Stair Guide to the '06 IRC, this is the current link;
http://smai.roundtablelive.org/Resources/Documents/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN%20web%20download.pdf
I cite to these pretty often. I didn't see them here. It may be redundant of information already here, but here are the NY state codes for 2007 and 2010. They seem to be ICC based.
http://publicecodes.citation.com/st/ny/st/index.htm
UPDATE
Some links to what I found today on codes that are available for viewing online. Not every state is here, but enough are to give anyone an overview of the IRC codes. As always, check what your local jurisdiction uses. The Virginia codes are quite representative as far as the IRC in general. Local governments in many cases and states can change what sections they use. Note again that these are viewable and not printable or able to be saved to disk; Read Only in other words.
state specific
http://www.iccsafe.org/Store/Pages/FreeCodes.aspx
IRC in general, non state specific
http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/
state specific
http://publicecodes.citation.com/st/index.htm
Firefox with the DownThemAll addon can download and save many of these. As well some of the sites permit copying of paragraphs while others do not.
EDIT: I was reminded about one of the available IRC versions that can be readily downloaded (http://ftp.resource.org/codes.gov/mn_residential.pdf). It's from my FTP link above in reply#7.
Specifically the Minnesota 2006 version.... Click the link above or go to this page (http://ftp.resource.org/codes.gov/) and scroll down to mn_residential.pdf Download and save it. It is a large file, 47MB, but the nice thing is that it is complete, cover to back and when opened in Adobe Reader it is easy to move from page to page. There is a page counter at the top of the Adobe window where the page number of the document may be found. That makes it easier to reference than referring to a section number of the IRC. The various stste codes may have differences and using one, typical, code could make discussions easier and less time consuming. There are many state versions there. In the end, use the code that is applicable to the area being built in. Then if there are any specific questions about a section it is more readily located.
VA has adopted the '09 version of the I codes. New link here;
http://www.ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/Free_Resources/Virginia2009/09Virginia_main.html
Can't say I've made it through the '09's yet but...
2012 building codes are available here;
http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/IC-P-2012-000019.htm
Did you get the email about the 2012 webinars?
NM just started using the '09 this year. Jan but only mandatory July 1
If anyone wonders what their state uses, have a look at the link below
http://www.iccsafe.org/gr/Documents/stateadoptions.pdf
I do get the updates from them, our connection isn't up to webinars unfortunately.
We adopted the '09's this year as well, it takes it awhile to make it through state modifications and then adoption. The states that are quick to adopt a new model code then seem to do revisions on the fly.