International Zoning Code (IZC)
Building codes are regulations that set out the standards to which buildings and other structures must conform. The International Zoning Code (IZC) was established in the US by the International Code Council (ICC) and is applied by most of the country’s jurisdictions as well as internationally, although it can be amended to reflect local conditions and legislation.
The International Zoning Code (IZC) is a model code that regulates minimum zoning requirements for new buildings. It is intended to provide for the arrangement of compatible buildings and land uses and establish provisions for the location of all types of uses, in the interest of the local area. It aims to promote uniformity and consistency in zoning for planners, code officials and developers.
Zoning is the process of dividing a particular area of land into different districts or zones and specifying certain uses (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial) which can be permitted or prohibited for each. Zoning is carried out by the relevant municipality or county, and segregates uses that are considered to be incompatible, as well as guiding urban growth and development.
For more information, see Zoning in the United States.
Like other codes published by ICC, the IZC is arranged to follow sequential steps that tend to occur during a plan review or inspection. The different parts are as follows:
- Scope and administration.
- Definitions.
- Use districts.
- Agricultural zones.
- Residential zones.
- Commercial and commercial/residential zones.
- Factory/industrial zones.
- General provisions.
- Special regulations.
- Sign regulations.
- Non-conforming structures and uses.
- Conditional uses.
- Planned unit development.
- Referenced standards.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building codes.
- Building regulations.
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Code Council ICC.
- International Existing Building Code (IEBC).
- International Residential Code (IRC).
- Planning permission.
- Setback.
- Use class designation for land and buildings.
- What approvals are needed before construction begins.
- Zoning in the United States.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.





















