What do housing codes regulate?

Housing codes primarily regulate safe living conditions within residential structures. This includes standards for cleanliness, structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, ventilation, heating, and fire safety. The intention is to ensure that buildings are safe for occupants, protecting their health and welfare. Housing codes help to prevent hazards that could lead to illness or injury, making them a critical element of public health and safety regulation.

In contrast, landscaping standards focus on the external aesthetics and environmental impact of properties, which is not the core concern of housing codes. Property taxes pertain to the financial obligations of homeowners to local governments, which is unrelated to the physical and safety aspects of housing. Finally, home decoration guidelines cover the aesthetics and personal choice in how an interior looks, which do not influence the fundamental safety regulations established by housing codes.