Why Is Building Code So Complicated?!
Seriously...even the simple stuff isn't simple!
Building code is really, really complicated. It can take many hours for even the most seasoned teams to figure out the answers to what seem like simple questions.
Why?
Because buildings are all completely different, and code has to try to account for every single scenario. "Code" is also a gigantic set of interconnected rules [usually 10-15 large books], so one move on your project could trigger a domino effect of other stuff you have to do.
For example, take something like "occupancy." The type of occupant, the number, the number and type of exits, the number of bathrooms, the level of accessibility, the building type, whether it's sprinklered, the other uses in the building, and the use of your space are all interconnected. Pull one of those levers, and all the others shift.
Want the ability to have more people in your restaurant? Might need more exits and/or bathrooms.
Want to change the use from single family house to coffee shop? Your allowed number of customers will be based on all the other factors named above.
And so on.
A lot of this is based in fire safety.
For example, length of path of travel to an exit is often allowed to be longer in an apartment building than it is in a hotel. Why? Because the occupants in a hotel are less familiar with the building layout than apartment dwellers, so would take more time to get to an exit/be more likely to be disoriented during an emergency.
And, all of this changes per jurisdiction. That could be per state, per city, per town/borough/township, etc. And, it changes every time a new code is adopted [as often as every 3 years in many jurisdictions].
So, that example I gave above about path of travel may not apply in your jurisdiction. This is why, as I'm often saying, construction costs can vary so widely...some jurisdictions have a lot more requirements. And by the way, it's not a red state/blue state thing...most places don't F around with building codes, especially in large population centers. You're more likely to see lax enforcement or fewer requirements, though, in sparsely populated areas.
Building code isn't zoning code - that's a whole 'nother set of regs, administered at the hyper local level around land use and building size/shape, and may/may not directly conflict with building codes.
Building code, as I've discussed it above, also doesn't take into account other regulations your project may be subject to - federal stuff like ADA, FHA, etc etc.
All of this means that your design, construction, and legal teams have to put in a ton of work to figure out how to execute projects for you, even ones that are fully in their wheelhouse...or even answer what seem like basic questions. Every project is different, all the time.
Thanks for reading...and remember, please consult your local professionals. This isn't official advice. Every jurisdiction is different.
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