Can someone please explain the difference between this site that looks like I can access free IRC/IBC code info free, http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/index.htm And this of the council I need to purchase? http://shop.iccsafe.org/2006-international-building-code.html I see links to the former and wonder what the diff is?

Never mind I finally got a hold of someone @ ICC that knew what they are talking about. ICC is the only place to get the codes, there are bootleg sites being referenced on this site that may be inaccurate. Be careful!

Typically you want the building codes for the actual county of the actual state that you are accomplishing your design/build. States/Counties often deviate from the standard code, for example:

http://www.co.jackson.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=2544

BTW, building codes are incorporated by State law to protect the public and, as such, are available to the public for free:

https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/safety.html

Hi Sail, hope this note finds you well So is that legal site link you posted maintained? Why does ICC charge a fee when it free to the public?

ICC is one body that creates codes and, as such, they are entitled to sell them. However, once a code is incorporated by State law to protect the public, it becomes public information and can be republished and used by anyone. I can’t say how well this legal site is maintained. As I suggested previously and as stated on this legal site, “always check with your authority for additions, deletions, and errata.” If you purchase the code directly from the ICC, it may not be correct or apply to where you are designing and building.

Sail, if you pull up a code doc like 2006 IRC it states ICC has a copyright. I talked to them Friday they said others are bootlegging it. Looks like the site you found is a non-profit corp maybe they got permission who knows. They seem unaware of places offering free copies and want to know. Not that I am complaining I like using ctrl f search better than fllipping through my hard copy's.

Right, I believe anyone can republish public information, even if it was initially copyrighted. However, I believe only the copyright owner can legally sell this information. I know that patent rights are that way. You can copy and build stuff that others have patented, but you can’t legally sell it to anyone. This website has been around for many years, but you should consult an attorney for advice if you have any concerns. Bottom line, you need to adhere to the specific code of your local building regulatory authority.

Our codes vary by county depending on what sorta mood the inspector is in Thanks for the link. Yeah I see SIREWALL has taken rammed earth technology thousands of years old and undated it with a foam core sandwich construction and rebar and has 85 patents or something like that. I think it is more a processing intellectual property patent with the soil chemistry and build I have not looked. Most everywhere I look it has not stopped builders from building the same way, perhaps just not exactly like SIREWALL. Usually, it gets very costly to go into court to battle a patent enforcement. Not that I am an attorney but in a case like this I could see SIREWALL having a hard time with technology that is old as dirt.

TLP, do not gloss over RB's point about local addendums or outright alternate codes. the ICC itself has no authority unless adopted where you are.
MI where I inspect uses the MRC and the MMC which are Michigan adapted IRC and IMC for instance.