Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. ch. 214 (subchs. A, B, C, G, H, I, Z) § 214.213
EXCEPTIONS.
Operative Text
Sec. 214.213. EXCEPTIONS. (a) The International Residential Code and the International Building Code do not apply to the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and related components.(b) A municipality is not required to review and consider adoption of amendments to the International Residential Code or the International Building Code regarding electrical provisions. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 120, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 389 (S.B. 1458), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2006.
Section 214.213 of the Texas Local Government Code carves out electrical wiring and related components from the scope of both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC). Because these model codes do not govern electrical installations and maintenance under this provision, other regulatory frameworks—such as the National Electrical Code—typically fill that role. Additionally, Texas municipalities are not obligated to review or adopt any IRC or IBC amendments that address electrical provisions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.213, property owners and managers should be aware that IRC and IBC compliance programs do not extend to electrical wiring and related components, meaning electrical work is governed by separate codes and standards. Compliant operators typically identify which electrical code their municipality has adopted—often the National Electrical Code—and ensure that installations and maintenance meet those requirements instead. Staying current with the applicable local electrical standards, rather than relying solely on IRC or IBC checklists, is a hallmark of sound property management practice in Texas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 214.213 clarifies that the IRC and IBC do not cover electrical wiring and related components, so tenants who have concerns about electrical conditions in their rental unit should look to the electrical codes their municipality has separately adopted. Tenants may raise habitability issues related to electrical systems through local code enforcement complaints, rent board processes where available, or by consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Texas law. Understanding which electrical standards apply locally can help tenants frame concerns accurately when reporting unsafe conditions to the appropriate authority.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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