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Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.2 — BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1.2.1 BSC. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated. 1. State buildings for all occupancies.

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

ADMINISTRATION

Application— State buildings (all occupancies), including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University (CSU) and the Regents of the University of California (UC) where no state agency has the authority to adopt build- ing standards applicable to such buildings.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 18934.5.

Reference— Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901. 2. University of California, California State Universities and California Community Colleges.

Application— Standards for lighting for parking lots and primary campus walkways at the University of California, Califor- nia State Universities and California Community Colleges.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Government Code Section 14617.

Reference— Government Code Section 14617.

3. Existing state-owned buildings, including those owned by the University of California and by the California State University.

Application— Building seismic retrofit standards including abating falling hazards of structural and nonstructural compo- nents and strengthening of building structures. See also Division of the State Architect.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 16600.

Reference— Health and Safety Code Sections 16600 through 16604. 4. Unreinforced masonry-bearing wall buildings.

Application— Minimum seismic strengthening standards for buildings specified in Appendix Chapter A1 of the California Existing Building Code, except for buildings subject to building standards adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code (commencing) with Section 17910.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 18934.7.

Reference— Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901.

1.2.1.1 State building. For purposes of this code, a “state building” is a structure for which a state agency or state entity has author- ity to construct, alter, enlarge, replace, repair or demolish.

1.2.1.2 Enforcement. [CSU, UC, Judicial Council and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] State agencies or state entities authorized to construct state buildings may appoint a building official who is responsible to the agency for enforcement of the provisions of the California Building Standards Code.

Exception: State buildings regulated by other sections of this code remain the enforcement responsibility of the designated entities.

1.2.1.3 Enforcement. Reserved for DGS.

1.2.1.4 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym BSC .

1.2.2 BSC-CG. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific author- ity to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated. 1. Green buildings standards for nonresidential occupancies.

— Application All occupancies where no state agency has the authority to adopt green building standards applicable to those occupancies.

— Enforcing agency State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

— Authority cited Health and Safety Code Sections 18930.5(a), 18938 and 18940.5.

Reference — Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901. 2. Graywater systems for nonresidential occupancies.

— Application The construction, installation and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses in nonresiden- tial occupancies.

— Enforcing agency State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

— Authority cited Health and Safety Code Section 18941.8.

Reference — Health and Safety Code Section 18941.8.

1.2.2.1 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym BSC-CG .

1.2.3 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code,

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ADMINISTRATION

provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

sign or method of construction shall be approved_ where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

1.2.3.1 Research reports. Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.

1.2.3.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the building official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test meth- ods, the building official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for retention of public records.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. ▸ Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    Overview
    1. Section 1.1 — GENERAL
    2. Section 1.2 — BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION
    3. Section 1.3 — BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
    4. Section 1.4 — DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
    5. Section 1.5 — RESERVED
    6. Section 1.6 — DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
    7. Section 1.7 — CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
    8. Section 1.8 — DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
    9. Section 1.8.2 — AUTHORITY AND ABBREVIATIONS
    10. Section 1.8.3 — LOCAL ENFORCING AGENCY
    11. Section 1.8.4 — PERMITS, FEES, APPLICATIONS AND INSPECTIONS
    12. Section 1.8.5 — RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR ENFORCEMENT
    13. Section 1.8.6 — LOCAL MODIFICATION BY ORDINANCE OR REGULATION
    14. Section 1.8.7 — ALTERNATE MATERIALS, DESIGNS, TESTS AND METHOD…
    15. Section 1.8.8 — APPEALS BOARD
    16. Section 1.8.9 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
    17. Section 1.8.10 — OTHER BUILDING REGULATIONS
    18. Section 1.9 — DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
    19. Section 1.10 — DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATIO…
    20. Section 1.11 — OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
    21. Section 1.12 — STATE LIBRARIAN
    22. Section 1.13 — DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
    23. Section 1.14 — CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION
    24. Section 101 — SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    25. Section 102 — APPLICABILITY
    26. Section 103 — CODE COMPLIANCE AGENCY
    27. Section 104 — DUTIES AND POWERS OF BUILDING OFFICIAL
    28. Section 105 — PERMITS
    29. Section 106 — FLOOR AND ROOF DESIGN LOADS
    30. Section 107 — CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
    31. Section 108 — TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
    32. Section 109 — FEES
    33. Section 110 — INSPECTIONS
    34. Section 111 — CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
    35. Section 112 — SERVICE UTILITIES
    36. Section 113 — MEANS OF APPEALS
    37. Section 114 — VIOLATIONS
    38. Section 115 — STOP WORK ORDER
    39. Section 116 — UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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