24 C.F.R. § 200.926a
§ 200.926a Residential building code comparison items. (24 CFR Part 200)
Operative Text
HUD will review each local and State code submitted under this subpart to determine whether it regulates all of the following areas and subareas: (a) Fire Safety. (1) Allowable height; (2) Fire separations; (3) Fire resistance requirements; (4) Egress doors and windows; (5) Unit smoke detectors; (6) Flame spread. (b) Light and ventilation. (1) Habitable rooms; (2) Bath and toilet rooms. (c) Structural loads and seismic design. (1) Design live loads; (2) Design dead loads; (3) Snow loads (for jurisdictions with snow loading conditions identified in Section 7 of ASCE-7-88 (formerly ANSI A58.1-82); (4) Wind loads; (5) Earthquake loads (for jurisdictions in seismic zones 3 or 4, as identified in Section 9 of ASCE-7-88 (formerly ANSI A58.1-82)). (d) Foundation systems. (1) Foundation depths; (2) Footings; (3) Foundation materials criteria. (e) Materials standards. (1) Materials standards. (f) Construction components. (1) Steel; (2) Masonry; (3) Concrete; (4) Lumber; (5) Roof construction and covering; (6) Chimneys and fireplaces. (g) Glass. (1) Thickness/area requirements; (2) Safety glazing. (h) Mechanical. (1) Heating, cooling and ventilation systems; (2) Gas, liquid and solid fuel piping and equipment; (3) Chimneys and vents; (4) Ventilation (air changes). (i) Plumbing. (1) Materials standards; (2) Sizing and installing drainage systems; (3) Vents and venting; (4) Traps; (5) Cleanouts; (6) Plumbing fixtures; (7) Water supply and distribution; (8) Sewage disposal systems. (j) Electrical. (1) Branch circuits; (2) Services; (3) Grounding; (4) Wiring methods; (5) Cable; (6) Conduit; (7) Outlets, switches and junction boxes; (8) Panelboards.
Under 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.926a, HUD evaluates local and state residential building codes to confirm they address a comprehensive set of construction and safety categories, including fire safety, structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, and more. The regulation establishes a checklist of specific areas and subareas—such as smoke detectors, seismic design, and wiring methods—that a submitted code must cover to meet federal review standards. This provision does not itself set the technical requirements; rather, it defines the scope of what HUD examines when assessing whether a jurisdiction's code is sufficiently comprehensive.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers working on HUD-related projects should be aware that under 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.926a, HUD scrutinizes whether the applicable local or state building code covers all enumerated categories before approving it for use in federally connected construction. Compliant operators generally ensure that their construction projects are permitted and inspected under a code that addresses all areas listed in this provision, from foundation systems and materials standards to electrical and plumbing components. Keeping documentation of local code compliance across each of these categories is a practice commonly associated with smooth HUD review processes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants living in or considering housing connected to HUD programs, 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.926a provides context for understanding that federal oversight includes verifying whether local building codes meet a broad set of safety and construction standards. This means the home's construction should have been subject to a code covering areas like fire safety, egress, smoke detectors, and structural loads, among others. Tenants who have concerns about whether their unit meets applicable building standards may find it useful to contact their local housing authority, a tenant-rights organization, or a rent board if one exists in their jurisdiction.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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