Mechanical Building Code Requirements for Closet Doors in IMC 2024
When taking a look at mechanical building code requirements for air flow given by a closet door, behind a laundry unit, it is important to know what building code is prevalent in the city and state the location of the project being built is in.
I will take a look at 10 urban cities we often do work in, to compare their mechanical building code requirements for the area and compare them all to eachother.
The ten cities that will be evaluated are: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Boston, Tampa, DC, Denver and Reno.
New York
New York
In New York City, the Mechanical building code that is followed is New York Code book from 2020, as of today’s date. (August 10, 2025)
The city’s code is posted on their gov website through this link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/apps/pdf_viewer/viewer.html?file=2022MC_Chapter5_ExhaustWB.pdf§ion=conscode_2022
New York city doesn’t have additional mechanical building code rules, they follow New York State’s building code.
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Chicago
Chicago
In Chicago, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2018 International Building Code.
The city’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/bldg_code/svcs/chicago_buildingcodeonline.html\
Chicago’s codes for mechanical ventilation cover Illinois’, the same 2018 IMC.
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2022 California Mechanical Code.
The state’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/ca/2022_California_Mechanical_Code.pdf
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2020 Minnesota Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code.
The state’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/codes-and-laws/2020-minnesota-state-building-codes
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Phoenix
Phoenix
In Phoenix, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2024 IMC.
The state’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Boston
Boston
In Boston, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2021 IMC. adopted by the state of Massechusetts.
The state’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://www.mass.gov/handbook/tenth-edition-of-the-ma-state-building-code-780
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Tampa
Tampa
In Tampa, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2021 IMC. adopted by the state of Florida as the 8th edition Florida Mechanical Building Code in 2023.
The state’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://www.floridabuilding.org/bc/bc_default.aspx
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Washington DC
Washington DC
In DC, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2015 IMC adopted by the city,
The capital’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://dob.dc.gov/page/dc-construction-codes
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Denver
Denver
In Denver, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2024 IMC adopted by the city,
The capital’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
Reno
Reno
In Reno, the Mechanical building code that is followed is the 2024 IMC adopted by the city,
The capital’s code is posted on their gov website through this link:
https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/development-services/building-permits
In terms of closet doors, there must be 100 square inches of free air behind the closet door opening for the washer and dryer to be compliant with this code.
