Code citation

Also called: code reference

A reference to the exact code section, paragraph, and adopted amendment behind a requirement or a flagged issue. Citations let an architect verify a finding against the source text instead of taking a summary on faith.

Depends on: Machine-readable building codes

Enables: AI building code compliance

Related: Plan check (plan review)

Architects Jurisdictions

Why it matters

For public agencies the same property matters in reverse: a review decision backed by a citation is defensible, auditable, and consistent across reviewers in a way an unsourced judgment is not. In compliance software, citations are the difference between an answer and an opinion.

Common question

Why do citations matter if the software is usually right?

"Usually right" is not a permit standard. A citation converts a claim into something a professional can verify in the source text, which is what makes the result usable in a sealed drawing set or a public review decision.

Sources & reading

Citations, not summaries

Also in Digital Compliance: Continuous compliance Machine-readable building codes Computable building regulations Compliance intelligence Structured compliance data layer Native BIM compliance Model-based building code compliance AI building code compliance Automated code checking

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