Starting September 1, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) will require that builders adhere to the 2018 windstorm provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC) if they are building in coastal areas.
TDI adopted the 2018 International Building Code and International Residential Code as the standards for insurance through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). The new coastal building code was supposed to go into effect on April 1, but with the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic threatening the supply chain and manufacturing operations globally, it was postponed until September 1.
According to the TDI, the new codes provide greater windstorm protection and will apply to new construction, repairs and additions.
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TDI also claims that more federal assistance is available after a disaster in areas that have adopted the newer building codes.
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