UpCodes

UpCodes is a building code research and compliance platform with locally adopted codes, an AI Copilot, spec writing, and AI plan review of drawings against code.

UpCodes

Definition

UpCodes, based in Austin, Texas, hosts locally adopted building codes and amendments for U.S. jurisdictions and says its platform is used by 800,000 architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. Its library covers 11 million code sections across more than 6,000 codes, so users can research the code as adopted in a specific jurisdiction and code year rather than the model code alone. UpCodes Copilot answers project-specific code questions with links to the exact adopted sections, remembers jurisdiction and building type, and can generate checklists. In March 2026 UpCodes launched Specifications, a code-to-spec workflow with office master import, about 300 built-in sections, and QA/QC diagnostics. In June 2026 it added Plan Review, which analyzes uploaded drawings against adopted codes by discipline or against a firm's own checklist, returns issues by severity linked to drawing pages and code sections, and flags plan and spec discrepancies. Published pricing is $39 per user per month for Essentials and $59 for Professional when billed annually, with full Copilot access on Professional and custom Enterprise plans.

In Depth

The hardest part of code research is rarely finding the model code; it is knowing what a particular jurisdiction adopted, which edition, and which local amendments change the answer. UpCodes built its reputation on that problem by publishing adopted codes and amendments in one searchable place, so an architect in one state checking a project in another can see the rule that actually applies.

In 2026 the company extended that library into review workflows. Copilot answers questions with citations to adopted sections, Specifications ties spec sections to the codes and products behind them, and Plan Review reads drawings against the jurisdiction's codes, returns issues by severity and discipline, and supports a firm's own QA/QC checklists. Each finding links to both the sheet and the governing section, which is what a reviewer needs to accept or dismiss it quickly.

UpCodes and Nomic both review drawings for code compliance with citations. Nomic checks drawings against 380+ codes and standards as part of broader drawing QA/QC, specification, submittal, and RFI workflows connected to systems like Autodesk Forma and ProjectWise. Firms comparing tools should run the same permit set through each and judge the findings on accuracy and how well they cite the adopted code.

Tool Details

Website
up.codes
Pricing

Essentials

$39 / per monthAnnual Subscription

Professional

$59 / per user / per monthAnnual Subscription
Trial

More than 30 days

Platforms
Linux
Location

United States

Examples

1

An architect asks Copilot for egress width requirements for an assembly occupancy under a city's adopted amendments and follows the citation to the section

2

A QA/QC lead runs Plan Review on a 90 percent accessibility and life safety set and assigns flagged issues to the project team

3

A spec writer imports the firm's office master into UpCodes Specifications and checks sections for broken code references

Nomic Use Cases

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Frequently Asked Questions

UpCodes, based in Austin, Texas, hosts locally adopted building codes and amendments for U.S. jurisdictions and says its platform is used by 800,000 architecture, engineering, and construction professionals. Its library covers 11 million code sections across more than 6,000 codes, so users can research the code as adopted in a specific jurisdiction and code year rather than the model code alone. UpCodes Copilot answers project-specific code questions with links to the exact adopted sections, remembers jurisdiction and building type, and can generate checklists. In March 2026 UpCodes launched Specifications, a code-to-spec workflow with office master import, about 300 built-in sections, and QA/QC diagnostics. In June 2026 it added Plan Review, which analyzes uploaded drawings against adopted codes by discipline or against a firm's own checklist, returns issues by severity linked to drawing pages and code sections, and flags plan and spec discrepancies. Published pricing is $39 per user per month for Essentials and $59 for Professional when billed annually, with full Copilot access on Professional and custom Enterprise plans.

An architect asks Copilot for egress width requirements for an assembly occupancy under a city's adopted amendments and follows the citation to the section. A QA/QC lead runs Plan Review on a 90 percent accessibility and life safety set and assigns flagged issues to the project team. A spec writer imports the firm's office master into UpCodes Specifications and checks sections for broken code references.

Code Compliance Review: Check drawings against 380+ building codes and standards with cited answers. Automated Drawing Review: Use agents to review drawings against building codes, internal standards, and client requirements.

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UpCodes Review: AEC Tool Overview & AI Alternatives | Nomic