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SIC Code for General Contractor

Compiled & reviewed by the EntityCodes Editorial Team (Tech Labs FZ LLC) · Data verified: 2026-06-28

The official Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code representing General Contractor is primary SIC code 1521 (General Contractors--Single Family Houses).

SIC Classification Details

SIC Code	1521
Official Title	General Contractors--Single Family Houses
Mapped NAICS Equivalent	236115 - New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)
OSHA Grouping	Division Division C: Construction · Major Group Major Group 15: Building Construction - General Contractors and Operative Builders

Understanding the General Contractor SIC Classification

Businesses operating in the General Contractor sector are historically classified under SIC code 1521 (General Contractors--Single Family Houses). Although the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was last updated in 1987, it remains widely used for state safety regulations (OSHA), B2B marketing databases, and historical commercial profiling.

To comply with modern federal standards, businesses typically need to translate their legacy SIC classifications into the equivalent modern NAICS formats. This page provides bidirectional concordance mappings to bridge the generational gap in business coding.

Why This Classification Code Matters

Industrial codes are not merely administrative labels; they dictate how your company is treated by regulatory bodies:

OSHA Safety Recordkeeping: The Department of Labor and OSHA still compile injury and safety data using the legacy 1987 SIC taxonomy.
B2B Credit & Financial Reports: Business bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet maintain credit histories utilizing SIC system registers.
Modern Compliance Transitions: Transitioning from SIC to NAICS is necessary for active registration on SAM.gov and qualifying for Small Business Administration (SBA) set-asides.

How to Translate and Use Your Classification Code

Audit Your Legacy SIC Code: Check old state tax records, commercial leases, or workers' comp insurance policies to find your legacy SIC.
Crosswalk to NAICS: Convert your code dynamically using the crosswalk. Mapped NAICS code is 236115.
Submit Updated Compliance Forms: File update schedules with state registration agents and credit portals.

Bidirectional Concordance Crosswalk

To convert your classification between modern and historical databases, use the direct crosswalk link. The primary modern Census NAICS equivalent is 236115 (New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)). For a full concordance map, view the SIC 1521 to NAICS 236115 Crosswalk.

Alternate and Sub-Industry Mappings

Depending on specific business functions, your organization may also fall under these alternate classifications:

1542 - General Contractors - Nonresidential Buildings, Other than Industrial Buildings and Warehouses

Related Compliance Directories

Compliance Registry Home → 2022 NAICS Directory → 1987 SIC Directory → Industry Mappings Directory → SIC-to-NAICS Crosswalk → Sector 23 Hub → SIC Group Major Group 15: Building Construction - General Contractors and Operative Builders Directory → NAICS 236115 Profile Page → SIC 1521 Profile Page → Data Provenance Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the equivalent SIC code for General Contractor?

The primary Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code equivalent for General Contractor is 1521, officially titled 'General Contractors--Single Family Houses' in the 1987 OSHA manual standard.

What is the primary NAICS code for General Contractor?

The official NAICS code representing General Contractor is 236115. The standard industry title is 'New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)' under the 2022 Census classifications.

Are SBA size standards applicable to NAICS code 236115?

Yes, companies operating under NAICS code 236115 are evaluated under SBA size standards to determine small business status. The active standard is $45.00 Million (Basis: Receipts).

What IRS Principal Business Activity (PBA) code matches General Contractor?

The IRS requires declaring a Principal Business Activity code on Schedule C (Form 1040), Form 1065, or Form 1120. For General Contractor, you should declare 236115 (or the IRS PBA equivalent) derived from NAICS.

Where do I use the NAICS code 236115 in business administration?

This code is mandatory for government contractor entity registration on SAM.gov, federal grant applications, SBA small business loan certification, and private commercial insurance policies.

Can my General Contractor business list secondary classification codes?

Yes. While you must register one primary NAICS code representing the activity generating the majority of your company's revenue, you can list secondary NAICS and SIC codes on SAM.gov.

What is the difference between NAICS and SIC codes for General Contractor?

NAICS (2022) is organized by production processes and is used by all modern federal agencies. SIC (1987) is an older system organized by end products and is still used in historical databases.

How do I verify that my General Contractor company code is correct?

You can verify your classification by auditing your primary source of revenue and checking it against the definitions in the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 NAICS Manual.