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Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.8.4

California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-12 · California

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

PERMITS, FEES, APPLICATIONS

AND INSPECTIONS 1.8.4.1 Permits. A written construction permit shall be obtained from the enforcing agency prior to the erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving or alter- ation of any building or structure.

Exceptions:

1. Work exempt from permits as specified in Chapter 1, Division II, Scope and Administration, Section 105.2. 2. Changes, alterations or repairs of a minor nature not affecting structural features, egress, sanitation, safety or accessibility as determined by the enforc- ing agency.

3. Retroactive permits issued in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17958.12. Exemptions from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of other provisions of law or this code. 1.8.4.2 Fees. Subject to other provisions of law, the govern- ing body of any city, county, or city and county, may pre- scribe fees to defray the cost of enforcement of rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The amount of the fees shall not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to administer or process permits, certificates, forms or other documents, or to defray the costs of enforcement. For additional information, see the State Housing Law, Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 1.5, Section 17951 and California Code of Regula- tions, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 3, commencing with Section 6. 1.8.4.3 Plan review and time limitations. Subject to other provisions of law, provisions related to plan checking, prohi- bition of excessive delays and contracting with or employ- ment of private parties to perform plan checking are set forth in the State Housing Law, Health and Safety Code Section 17960.1, and for employee housing, in Health and Safety Code Section 17021.

1.8.4.3.1 Retention of plans. The building department of every city, county, or city and county shall maintain an offi- cial copy, microfilm, electronic or other type of photographic copy of the plans of every building, during the life of the building, for which the department issued a building permit.

Exceptions:

1. Single or multiple dwellings not more than two stories and basement in height. 2. Garages and other structures appurtenant to buildings listed in Exception 1. 3. Farm or ranch buildings appurtenant to build- ings listed in Exception 1. 4. Any one-story building where the span between bearing walls does not exceed 25 feet (7620 mm), except a steel frame or concrete building. All plans for common interest developments as defined in Section 4100 of the California Civil Code shall be retained. For additional information regarding plan retention and reproduction of plans by an enforcing agency, see Health and Safety Code Sections 19850 through 19852. 1.8.4.4 Inspections. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building offi- cial and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or other regulations of the Department of Housing and Com- munity Development. Required inspections are listed in Chapter 1, Division II, Scope and Administration, Sections 110.3.1, 110.3.2, 110.3.3, 110.3.4, 110.3.4.1, 110.3.5, 110.3.6, 110.3.7, 110.3.9, 110.3.10, 110.3.11, 110.3.11.1 and 110.3.11.2.

1-12 2022 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

Copyright © 2022 by, or licensed to, International Code Council, Inc. (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED); licensed to California Building Standards Commission pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions is authorized. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is a violation of the federal copyright act and the license agreement, and subject to civil and criminal penalties thereunder.

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▸Contents — California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
  2. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT
  3. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING
  4. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED
  5. Appendix N — REPLICABLE
  6. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED
  7. ▸Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
    Overview
    1. Section 1.1
    2. Section 1.2
    3. Section 1.3
    4. Section 1.4
    5. Section 1.5
    6. Section 1.6
    7. Section 1.7
    8. Section 1.8
    9. Section 1.8.2
    10. Section 1.8.3
    11. Section 1.8.4
    12. Section 1.8.5
    13. Section 1.8.6
    14. Section 1.8.7
    15. Section 1.8.8
    16. Section 1.8.9
    17. Section 1.8.10
    18. Section 1.9
    19. Section 1.10
    20. Section 1.11
    21. Section 1.12
    22. Section 1.13
    23. Section 1.14
    24. Section 101
    25. Section 102
    26. Section 103
    27. Section 104
    28. Section 105
    29. Section 106
    30. Section 107
    31. Section 108
    32. Section 109
    33. Section 110
    34. Section 111
    35. Section 112
    36. Section 113
    37. Section 114
    38. Section 115
    39. Section 116
    40. Section 201
    41. Section 202
  8. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  9. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  10. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  11. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  12. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  13. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
  14. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  15. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  16. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  17. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  18. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  19. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  20. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  21. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  22. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  23. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  24. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  25. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  26. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  30. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  31. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  32. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM BOARD, GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  33. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  34. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  35. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  36. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  37. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  38. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  39. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  40. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  41. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  42. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  43. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  44. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  45. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  46. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  47. Appendix C — GROUP U – AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  48. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  49. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  50. Appendix H — SIGNS
  51. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  52. Appendix J — GRADING
  53. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES
  54. Appendix P — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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