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Fire Code Cheat Sheet: NY, NJ, PA, MD and DE (2026)

The building and fire codes in force in each state DGA works in, the date each one took effect, the transition rules, and who reviews your submittal. Checked against the adopting agencies in October 2026.

Download the PDF (4 pages) Rev. 1 · Updated October 28, 2026

At a glance

Edition, effective date and reviewing authority for each jurisdiction. Local amendments are not listed here.

JurisdictionBuilding codeIn effectFire codeReviews
New York State (outside NYC)2025 Uniform Code, based on the 2024 I-CodesDec 31, 20252025 Fire Code of New York StateLocal code enforcement officials
New York City2022 NYC Construction CodesNov 7, 20222022 NYC Fire Code, FDNY Rules (3 RCNY)DOB; FDNY
New JerseyUCC (N.J.A.C. 5:23), 2024 I-Codes, NJ editionsAug 17, 2026Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70), 2018 IFC basisMunicipal construction and fire protection subcode officials
PennsylvaniaUCC, 2021 I-Codes with PA amendmentsJan 1, 2026No statewide fire codeMunicipal or third-party code officials; L&I
MarylandBuilding Performance Standards, 2021 IBCMay 29, 2023State Fire Prevention Code: NFPA 1 and 101, 2024 editions (Jun 23, 2025)County building officials; state or local fire marshal
DelawareNo statewide building code. IBC adopted by county or city: 2021 (New Castle, Sussex), 2018 (Kent, Wilmington)VariesState Fire Prevention Regulations, 2026 ed.: NFPA 1 and 101, 2024 editions (Jan 1, 2026)State Fire Marshal (Wilmington Fire Marshal inside the city); county or town building officials

NYNew York State

Applies everywhere in the state except New York City. Enforced by the city, town, village or county.

Code2025 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Incorporates nine of the 2024 I-Codes with New York amendments.
EffectiveDecember 31, 2025. Permit applications made on or after that date must comply. Replaces the 2020 Uniform Code.
ReviewsLocal code enforcement officials. The Department of State, Division of Building Standards and Codes, administers the code.
VariancesPetition to the Department of State under 19 NYCRR Part 1205. The local code enforcement official is asked for its position, which can decide whether the petition needs a board hearing.
NoteResidential foundation designs based on the 2020 Residential Code can no longer be used for new permits.
New York code notes

NYCNew York City

The city writes and enforces its own construction and fire codes. The state Uniform Code does not apply in the five boroughs.

Construction codes2022 NYC Construction Codes, effective November 7, 2022.
Which editionSet by the construction document approval date. Approved before November 7, 2022: 2014 codes. On or after: 2022 codes.
Fire code2022 NYC Fire Code (Local Law 47 of 2022), effective April 15, 2022, with the FDNY Rules (3 RCNY).
ReviewsDepartment of Buildings through DOB NOW: Build. FDNY reviews fire alarm and other fire protection submittals and witnesses acceptance tests. One approval does not cover the other.
NoteSpecial inspections (TR1) are filed under the code that applies to the job.
NYC code notes

NJNew Jersey

One statewide Uniform Construction Code, enforced by each municipality’s construction office, with a separate fire protection subcode review.

CodeUniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23), now on the 2024 I-Codes, New Jersey editions. The Barrier Free Subcode references 2024 IBC Chapter 11 and ICC A117.1-2017.
EffectiveAugust 17, 2026, with a six-month grace period after adoption. Permits issued under the earlier edition continue while they remain valid.
Existing buildingsRehabilitation Subcode (N.J.A.C. 5:23-6) for alterations, additions and changes of use.
Fire codeUniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70) for buildings in use. Still aligned with the 2018 IFC; the 2026 update did not change it.
ReviewsMunicipal construction official and fire protection subcode official. Rules are written by the DCA Division of Codes and Standards.
NoteDuring the grace period, state the edition on the cover sheet and use it consistently throughout the submittal.
New Jersey code notes

PAPennsylvania

A statewide Uniform Construction Code, enforced locally in most places. Philadelphia runs its own code program.

CodeUniform Construction Code, updated to the 2021 I-Codes with Pennsylvania amendments.
EffectiveJanuary 1, 2026. Contracts signed before then could use the 2018 I-Codes until July 1, 2026. Since then, all new permit applications use the 2021 codes.
AccessibilityStill enforced from the 2018 IBC (Chapter 11, Appendix E and Section 1009). The 2021 accessibility provisions are not enforced.
ReviewsOver 90% of municipalities enforce the UCC themselves, with their own staff or a certified third-party agency. In opt-out municipalities, L&I handles commercial work. L&I alone covers elevators and state-owned buildings. Philadelphia L&I administers the Philadelphia Code.
NoteConfirm whether the reviewer is the municipality or a third-party agency before you submit. Submittal requirements differ.
Pennsylvania code notes

MDMaryland

Two separate codes: the Building Performance Standards for construction and the State Fire Prevention Code for fire and life safety.

Building codeMaryland Building Performance Standards: 2021 IBC, IRC and IECC with state amendments, effective May 29, 2023. Local jurisdictions had to enforce them by May 29, 2024, and many add local amendments.
Fire codeState Fire Prevention Code (COMAR 29.06.01): NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, 2024 editions, with Maryland amendments, effective June 23, 2025.
ReviewsCounty and municipal building officials, such as Montgomery County DPS and Prince George’s County DPIE. The Office of the State Fire Marshal or the local fire marshal reviews fire and life safety.
NoteA project has to meet both the IBC-based building code and the NFPA 101-based fire code. Where they differ, design to both.
Maryland code notes

DEDelaware

One statewide fire code, enforced by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. There is no statewide building code: counties and some cities adopt their own, so the IBC edition depends on where the site is.

Fire codeDelaware State Fire Prevention Regulations (Regulation 701), 2026 edition: NFPA 1 and NFPA 101, 2024 editions, with Delaware amendments.
EffectiveJanuary 1, 2026. The State Fire Marshal applies the 2026 edition to projects submitted on or after December 31, 2025.
System standardsNFPA 13 (2025), NFPA 14 (2024), NFPA 20 (2025), NFPA 72 (2025) and NFPA 25 (2023). The full list is in Regulation 701, Chapter 7.
Building codeNew Castle County: 2021 IBC, IRC and IEBC, effective January 1, 2024. Sussex County: 2021 IBC and IRC, effective January 1, 2023. Kent County: 2018 IBC and IRC, effective October 5, 2020. City of Wilmington: 2018 ICC codes. Other towns adopt their own editions.
ReviewsThe Office of the State Fire Marshal reviews site and building plans, with offices in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. Inside Wilmington, the City of Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office reviews. In towns that use the State Fire Marshal, the building permit is not issued until the fire approval is signed, and the fire marshal’s final inspection comes before the certificate of occupancy.
Review timeThe State Fire Marshal’s agreements with towns set 15 working days to complete technical review of a normal submission.
NoteA sprinklered building’s plan application includes the Preliminary Sprinkler Form; sprinkler, fire alarm and suppression drawings are separate submittals. Confirm the building code edition with the county or town before design.
Delaware code notes

General notes

  1. New York City and New York State are separate code systems. Settle which one applies first.
  2. The edition is set by the permit application date (NYS, NJ, PA), the construction document approval date (NYC) or the plan submission date (Delaware fire regulations), not by when design started.
  3. For an existing building, name the compliance path in the code analysis. New Jersey uses its Rehabilitation Subcode.
  4. Use the NFPA edition named in the adopted code’s referenced standards. It is usually not the newest NFPA edition.
  5. Fire protection gets its own review in NYC (FDNY), New Jersey (fire protection subcode official), Maryland (fire marshal) and Delaware (State Fire Marshal, before the building permit). Plan the schedule for it.
  6. NYC, Philadelphia, the larger Maryland counties and the Delaware counties amend these codes. Check local amendments before you finalize.

Before you submit

  • Code edition and its effective date on the cover sheet
  • Occupancy, construction type, area and height stated
  • Existing building compliance path named
  • NFPA editions match the adopted code
  • Separate fire protection submission ready where required
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