Nepal National Building Code (NBC): List of Codes and Download Links

Codes and standards

Nepal National Building Code (NBC): every code and what it covers

The Nepal National Building Code sets the minimum rules for designing and building safely in Nepal. It is prepared by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), and municipalities check building permit drawings against it.

Download NBC from DUDBCUseful links

How it is organised

Four levels of the code

State of the artAllows advanced international design methods for complex buildings designed by specialists.

Professionally engineeredLoads, materials and design rules for buildings designed by engineers (NBC 101 to 114).

Mandatory rules of thumbReady-made sizes and details for small RC buildings where a full design is not done (NBC 201 and 205).

GuidelinesAdvice for safer masonry, stone and earthen houses built by local masons (NBC 202 to 204).

Code list

All NBC documents

Level	Code	Title
State of the art	NBC 000	Requirements for state-of-the-art design (introduction)
Professionally engineered	NBC 101	Materials specifications
	NBC 102	Unit weight of materials
	NBC 103	Occupancy load (imposed load)
	NBC 104	Wind load
	NBC 105	Seismic design of buildings in Nepal
	NBC 106	Snow load
	NBC 107	Provisional recommendation on fire safety
	NBC 108	Site consideration for seismic hazards
	NBC 109	Masonry: unreinforced
	NBC 110	Plain and reinforced concrete
	NBC 111	Steel
	NBC 112	Timber
	NBC 113	Aluminium
	NBC 114	Construction safety
Mandatory rules of thumb	NBC 201	RC buildings with masonry infill
	NBC 205	Ready-to-use detailing guideline for low-rise RC buildings
Guidelines	NBC 202	Load bearing masonry
	NBC 203	Earthquake resistant construction: low strength masonry
	NBC 204	Earthquake resistant construction: earthen buildings
Requirements	NBC 206	Architectural design requirements
	NBC 207	Electrical design requirements for public buildings
	NBC 208	Sanitary and plumbing design requirements

Several codes have been revised. NBC 105, the seismic code, was fully updated in 2020, and DUDBC has published newer editions of some documents since then. Always download the current version from the DUDBC building code page before using a code for design or an exam.

Which code do I need?

Quick guide for common jobs

1. A two or three storey RC houseStart with NBC 205 for member sizes and detailing. If the house is outside its limits, design it to NBC 105 and NBC 110.
2. Structural analysis and designLoads from NBC 102, 103 and 104, earthquake load from NBC 105, and concrete design to NBC 110.
3. Load bearing brick or stone houseNBC 202 and NBC 203, with NBC 109 for unreinforced masonry design.
4. Permit drawingsArchitectural requirements in NBC 206, plus your municipality's building bye-laws. Our note on drawings required by municipalities lists the usual drawing set.

More standards

Other guidelines engineers use

DUDBC

Department of Urban Development and Building ConstructionBuildings and urban development

Building code, construction guidance and building rate documents.

• National Building Code
• Building construction guidance 2082
• Bamboo structure design guidance 2082
• Building rate

DoR

Department of RoadsRoads and bridges

Road standards, design manuals and bridge maintenance guidelines.

• Publications
• Guide to road slope protection
• Road safety audit manual
• Bridge inspection and maintenance

NBSM

Nepal Bureau of Standards and MetrologyNepal Standards (NS)

Product standards and quality marks for materials such as cement and steel.

• NBSM website

DWSSM

Department of Water Supply and Sewerage ManagementWater supply and sanitation

Design guidelines and standards for water supply and sewerage projects.

• DWSSM website

Check your numbersConcrete, steel, brick and stair calculators that show the method.

Engineering tools

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules, fees and exam formats change, so confirm details in the latest official notice. Found an outdated link? Please let us know.