Applicable Building Code Standards in Designated Catastrophe Areas for Structures Constructed, Repaired, or to Which Additions Are Made On and After April 1, 2026

(a) To be eligible for catastrophe property insurance, structures located in the designated catastrophe areas specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection that are constructed, repaired, or to which additions are made on and after April 1, 2026, must comply with the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code and the International Building Code, which are adopted by reference and applicable beginning April 1, 2026. The codes are published by and available from the International Code Council at iccsafe.org or by calling toll-free 1-888-422-7233. The designated catastrophe areas are those areas:

(1) seaward of the intracoastal canal;

(2) inland of the intracoastal canal and within approximately 25 miles of the Texas coastline and east of the specified boundary line and certain areas in Harris County as described in §5.4008(b)(2)(A) and (B) (relating to Applicable Building Code Standards in Designated Catastrophe Areas for Structures Constructed, Repaired or to Which Additions Are Made On and After September 1, 1998, and before February 1, 2003) of this title; and

(3) inland and west of the specified boundary line as described in §5.4008(c) of this title.

(b) Repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or continued use of a historic structure may be made without conformance to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section. For a historic structure to be exempted, at least one of the following conditions must apply to the structure.

(1) The structure is listed or is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

(2) The structure is an RTHL by the Texas Historical Commission.

(3) The structure has been designated by official action of a legally constituted municipal or county authority as having special historical or architectural significance, is at least 50 years old, and is subject to the municipal or county requirements relative to construction, alteration, or repair of the structure to maintain its historical designation.

Source Note: The provisions of this §5.4013 adopted to be effective February 18, 2026, 51 TexReg 897.