Before Minnesota had a state building code, each city oversaw its own code. On July 1, 1972, state law first required every city and county that had a building code to begin enforcing the Minnesota State Building Code.

The enabling legislation to the state code stated, “A multitude of laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and codes regulating the construction of buildings and the use of materials therein is a factor contributing to the high cost of construction. Many such requirements are obsolete, complex, and unnecessary. They serve to increase costs without providing correlative benefits of safety to owners, builders, tenants, and users of buildings.”

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the state building code, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has commissioned an illustrated guide of the state building code. Illustrated Field Guide to the Minnesota Residential Building Code is a custom version of the residential codebook designed specifically for Minnesota.

According to DLI, the goal of this publication is to create a published book that is useful, simplifies code compliance and minimizes any misunderstandings of what the code says for both builders and building inspectors. Illustrations in the new guide were designed to eliminate many of the common controversies and are detailed enough to design footings, foundation walls and beams.

Beginning in January 2023, Illustrated Field Guide to the Minnesota Residential Building Code will be available for purchase. A free online version will also be available on the DLI website.