Skip to content

Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING

Section 2403 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GLASS

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.

2403.1 Identification.

Each pane shall bear the manufacturer’s mark designating the type and thickness of the glass or glazing material. The identification shall not be omitted unless approved and an affidavit is furnished by the glazing contractor certifying that each light is glazed in accordance with approved construction documents that comply with the provisions of this chapter. Safety glazing shall be identified in accordance with Section 2406.3.

Each pane of tempered glass, except tempered spandrel glass, shall be permanently identified by the manufacturer. The identification mark shall be acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, laser etched, embossed or of a type that, once applied, cannot be removed without being destroyed.

Tempered spandrel glass shall be provided with a removable paper marking by the manufacturer.

2403.2 Glass supports.

Where one or more sides of any pane of glass are not firmly supported, or are subjected to unusual load conditions, detailed construction documents, detailed shop drawings and analysis or test data ensuring safe performance for the specific installation shall be prepared by a registered design professional.

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

GLASS AND GLAZING

2403.2.1 Additional Requirements. [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC and OSHPD 1, 1R, 2, 4 & 5] In addition to the requirements of Section 2403.2, glass supports shall comply with the following: 1. The construction documents and analysis or test data required per Section 2403.2 shall be submitted to the enforcement agency for approval. 2. Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be glazed with minimum laps and edge clearances set forth in Table 2403.2.1. Exception: Single-story Type V skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities utilizing wood-frame or light-steel-frame construction.

documents and analysis or test data required per Section 2403.2 shall be submitted to the enforcement_ agency for approval. 2. Glass firmly supported on all four edges shall be glazed with minimum laps and edge clearances set forth in Table 2403.2.1. Exception: Single-story Type V skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities utilizing wood-frame or light-steel-frame construction.

TABLE 2403.2.1—MINIMUM GLAZING REQUIREMENTS
FIXED WINDOWS AND OPENABLE WINDOWS OTHER THAN HORIZONTAL SIDING
Glass Area Up to 6 sq. ft. 6 to 14 sq. ft. 14 to 32 sq. ft. 32 to 50 sq. ft. Over 50 sq. ft.
× 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm
1. Minimum Frame Lap 1/4" 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2"
2. Minimum Glass Edge Clearance 1/8"1,2 1/8"1,2 3/16"1 1/4" 1/4"1
3. Continuous Glazing Rabbet and Glass Retainer3 Required Required Required Required Required
4. Resilient Setting Material4 Not Required Required Required Required Required
SLIDING DOORS AND HORIZONTAL SLIDING WINDOWS
Glass Area Up to 14 sq. ft. 14 to 32 sq. ft. 32 to 50 sq. ft. Over 50 sq. ft.
× 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm × 0.0929 for m2, × 25.4 for mm
5. Minimum Glass Frame Lap 5. Minimum Glass Frame Lap 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" 1/2"
6. Minimum Glass Edge Clearance 6. Minimum Glass Edge Clearance 1/8"2 3/16" 1/4" 1/4"
7. Continuous Glazing Rabbet and Glass Retainer3 7. Continuous Glazing Rabbet and Glass Retainer3 Required above
third story
Required Required Required
8. Resilient Setting Material4 8. Resilient Setting Material4 Not Required Not Required Required Required

1. Glass edge clearance in fixed openings shall not be less than required to provide for wind and earthquake drift.
2. Glass edge clearance at all sides of pane shall be a minimum of3/16 inch (4.8 mm) where height of glass exceeds 3 feet (914 mm).
3. Glass retainers such as metal, wood or vinyl face stops, glazing beads, gaskets, glazing clips and glazing channels shall be of sufficient strength and fixation to serve this purpose.
4. Resilient setting material shall include preformed rubber or vinyl plastic gaskets or other materials which are proved to the satisfaction of the building official to remain resilient.

2403.3 Glass framing.

To be considered firmly supported, the framing members for each individual pane of glass shall be designed so that the deflection of the edge of the glass perpendicular to the glass pane does not exceed [1] / 175 of the glass edge length where the glass edge length is not more than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm), or [1] / 240 of the glass edge length + [1] / 4 inch (6.4 mm) where the glass edge length is greater than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm), when subjected to the larger of the positive or negative load where loads are combined as specified in Section 1605.

2403.4 Interior glazed areas.

Where interior glazing is installed adjacent to a walking surface, the differential deflection of two adjacent unsupported edges shall be not greater than the thickness of the panels when a force of 50 pounds per linear foot (plf) (730 N/m) is applied horizontally to one panel at any point up to 42 inches (1067 mm) above the walking surface.

2403.5 Louvered windows or jalousies.

Float, wired and patterned glass in louvered windows and jalousies shall be not thinner than nominal [3] / 16 inch (4.8 mm) and not longer than 48 inches (1219 mm). Exposed glass edges shall be smooth.

Wired glass with wire exposed on longitudinal edges shall not be used in louvered windows or jalousies.

Where other glass types are used, the design shall be submitted to the building official for approval.

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  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

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.