24 C.F.R. § 200.925b
§ 200.925b Residential and institutional building code comparison items. (24 CFR Part 200)
Operative Text
HUD will review each local code submitted under this chapter to determine whether it regulates all of the following areas and subareas: (a) Fire safety. (1) Construction types permitted; (2) Allowable height and area; (3) Fire separations; (4) Fire resistance requirements; (5) Means of egress (number and distance); (6) Individual unit smoke detectors; (7) Building alarm systems; (8) Highrise criteria; (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; (4) Wind loads. (5) Earthquake loads (in localities identified by ASCE 7-88 (formerly ANSI A58.1-82) as being in seismic zones 1, 2, 3, or 4, and Guam). (6) Special loads, i.e., soil pressure, railings, interior walls etc. (d) Foundation systems. (1) Soil tests; (2) Foundation depths; (3) Footings; (4) Foundation materials criteria; (5) Piles, i.e., materials, allowable stresses, design; (6) Excavation; (e) Materials standards. (f) Construction components. (1) Steel; (2) Masonry; (3) Concrete; (4) Gypsum; (5) Lumber; (6) Roof construction and covering; (7) Chimneys and fireplaces. (g) Glass. (1) Thickness/area requirements; (2) Safety glazing. (h) Mechanical. (1) Heating, cooling and ventilation systems; (2) Boilers and pressure vessels; (3) Gas, liquid and solid fuel piping and equipment; (4) Chimneys and vents; (5) 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) Storm drain systems. (j) Electrical. (1) Wiring design and protection; (2) Wiring methods and materials; (3) Equipment for general use; (4) Special equipment; (5) Special conditions; (6) Communication systems. (k) Elevators. (1) Reference ASME/ANSI Standard A 17.1-1987; and the ASME/ANSI A17.1b-1989 Addenda. (2) Acceptance tests and periodic tests.
Under 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.925b, HUD evaluates local building codes submitted for its review against a comprehensive checklist of regulated areas, spanning fire safety, structural integrity, mechanical and plumbing systems, electrical wiring, and elevator standards, among others. The provision establishes the minimum topical coverage a local code must address—such as smoke detectors, seismic design, and drainage systems—for HUD to consider it adequate. It functions as a quality-control benchmark, ensuring that codes governing HUD-related residential and institutional construction meet a consistent federal baseline across all these technical domains.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in HUD-related residential or institutional projects should be aware that, under 24 CFR Part 200 § 200.925b, HUD measures local building codes against a detailed list of required subject areas before accepting them. Operators working in jurisdictions whose local codes are under HUD review generally ensure their construction and renovation practices align with all enumerated categories—including fire separations, foundation systems, and elevator acceptance testing—since gaps in local code coverage can affect HUD program eligibility. Staying current with whether a local jurisdiction's code has been reviewed and accepted under this provision is a routine part of due diligence for HUD-financed or HUD-insured projects.
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 § 200.925b is the federal provision that sets the standard for what a local building code must cover before HUD accepts it—including fire safety features like smoke detectors and egress requirements, as well as plumbing, electrical, and structural standards. This means the building you occupy under a HUD-related program is expected to have been constructed under a code that addresses these protections. If you have concerns about whether your building meets applicable safety or habitability standards, tenant-rights organizations and local housing or rent boards can be useful starting points for understanding available options.
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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