BUILDING INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION
EXAM (RESIDENTIAL) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable rooms
in a residential dwelling?
a) 6 feet 8 inches
b) 7 feet
c) 7 feet 6 inches
d) 7 feet 0 inches
Residential building codes typically require a minimum ceiling
height of 7 feet for habitable spaces.
2. What is the maximum spacing allowed for 2x10 floor joists
supporting a residential floor?
a) 12 inches on center
b) 16 inches on center
c) 24 inches on center
d) 36 inches on center
Most residential codes allow 2x10 floor joists to be spaced up to
24 inches on center depending on span and load.
3. What is the minimum slope required for a residential roof
drainage system?
a) 1/8 inch per foot
, b) 1/4 inch per foot
c) 1/2 inch per foot
d) 1 inch per foot
Code typically requires a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot for
proper water drainage.
4. What is the minimum distance a smoke detector must be installed
from a kitchen stove?
a) 2 feet
b) 4 feet
c) 10 feet
d) 15 feet
To reduce false alarms, smoke detectors must be at least 10 feet
from cooking appliances.
5. What is the maximum height for a residential guardrail?
a) 30 inches
b) 34 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 42 inches
Residential guardrails must be at least 36 inches high to prevent
falls.
6. What is the minimum width for a residential stairway?
a) 30 inches
b) 36 inches
c) 40 inches
d) 44 inches
Building codes require stairways in dwellings to be at least 36
inches wide.
7. What is the maximum riser height for residential stairs?
a) 7 inches
, b) 7 3/4 inches
c) 8 inches
d) 8 1/2 inches
Codes limit riser height to 7 3/4 inches for safety and comfort.
8. What is the minimum tread depth for residential stairs?
a) 9 inches
b) 10 inches
c) 10 inches minimum
d) 12 inches
Treads must be at least 10 inches deep to provide safe footing.
9. Which type of insulation is most commonly required in residential
exterior walls?
a) Spray foam
b) Fiberglass batt
c) R-13 or higher fiberglass batt
d) Cellulose
Residential codes typically require R-13 or higher for 2x4 exterior
walls.
10. What is the required minimum width of a residential
driveway?
a) 8 feet
b) 9 feet
c) 10 feet
d) 12 feet
Most residential codes require driveways to be at least 10 feet
wide to allow vehicle access.
11. Which type of foundation is most common for a single-
family residence?
a) Pier and beam
EXAM (RESIDENTIAL) PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable rooms
in a residential dwelling?
a) 6 feet 8 inches
b) 7 feet
c) 7 feet 6 inches
d) 7 feet 0 inches
Residential building codes typically require a minimum ceiling
height of 7 feet for habitable spaces.
2. What is the maximum spacing allowed for 2x10 floor joists
supporting a residential floor?
a) 12 inches on center
b) 16 inches on center
c) 24 inches on center
d) 36 inches on center
Most residential codes allow 2x10 floor joists to be spaced up to
24 inches on center depending on span and load.
3. What is the minimum slope required for a residential roof
drainage system?
a) 1/8 inch per foot
, b) 1/4 inch per foot
c) 1/2 inch per foot
d) 1 inch per foot
Code typically requires a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot for
proper water drainage.
4. What is the minimum distance a smoke detector must be installed
from a kitchen stove?
a) 2 feet
b) 4 feet
c) 10 feet
d) 15 feet
To reduce false alarms, smoke detectors must be at least 10 feet
from cooking appliances.
5. What is the maximum height for a residential guardrail?
a) 30 inches
b) 34 inches
c) 36 inches
d) 42 inches
Residential guardrails must be at least 36 inches high to prevent
falls.
6. What is the minimum width for a residential stairway?
a) 30 inches
b) 36 inches
c) 40 inches
d) 44 inches
Building codes require stairways in dwellings to be at least 36
inches wide.
7. What is the maximum riser height for residential stairs?
a) 7 inches
, b) 7 3/4 inches
c) 8 inches
d) 8 1/2 inches
Codes limit riser height to 7 3/4 inches for safety and comfort.
8. What is the minimum tread depth for residential stairs?
a) 9 inches
b) 10 inches
c) 10 inches minimum
d) 12 inches
Treads must be at least 10 inches deep to provide safe footing.
9. Which type of insulation is most commonly required in residential
exterior walls?
a) Spray foam
b) Fiberglass batt
c) R-13 or higher fiberglass batt
d) Cellulose
Residential codes typically require R-13 or higher for 2x4 exterior
walls.
10. What is the required minimum width of a residential
driveway?
a) 8 feet
b) 9 feet
c) 10 feet
d) 12 feet
Most residential codes require driveways to be at least 10 feet
wide to allow vehicle access.
11. Which type of foundation is most common for a single-
family residence?
a) Pier and beam
