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Chapter 3 — PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

Section 302

California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

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

302.1 Applicability. The provisions of Section 302 apply to

all alterations, repairs, additions, relocations of structures and changes of occupancy regardless of compliance method.

302.2 Dangerous conditions. The code official shall have

the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

302.2.1 Dangerous conditions. [BSC] Regardless of the extent of structural or nonstructural damage, the code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

302.3 Additional codes. Alterations, repairs, additions and

changes of occupancy to, or relocation of, existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations, repairs, additions and changes of occupancy or relocation, respectively, in this code and the California Energy Code, California Fire Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Residential Code and California Electrical Code . Where provisions of the other codes conflict with provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall take precedence.

302.4 Existing materials.

Materials already in use in a building in compliance with requirements or approvals in effect at the time of their erection or installation shall be permitted to remain in use unless determined by the building official to be unsafe.

302.5 New and replacement materials. Except as otherwise

required or permitted by this code, materials permitted by the applicable code for new construction shall be used. Like materials shall be permitted for repairs and alterations, provided that unsafe conditions are not created. Hazardous materials shall not be used where the code for new construction would not permit their use in buildings of similar occupancy, purpose and location. [HCD 1] Local ordinances or regula- tions shall permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials, and the use of original methods of con- struction, for any building or accessory structure, provided such building or structure complied with the building code provisions in effect at the time of original construction and the building or accessory structure does not become or con- tinue to be a substandard building. For additional informa- tion, see Health and Safety Code Sections 17912, 17920.3, 17922(d), 17922.3, 17958.8 and 17958.9.

[BS] 302.5.1 New structural members and connections. New structural members and connections shall comply with the detailing provisions of the California Building Code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.

Exception: Where alternative design criteria are specifically permitted.

302.6 Occupancy and use.

Where determining the appropriate application of the referenced sections of this code, the occupancy and use of a building shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 3 of the California Building Code .

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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

method and/or work area compliance method are adopted by a local ordinance.

Exception: Subject to the approval of the code official, alterations complying with the laws in existence at the time the building or the affected portion of the building was built shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code. New structural members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the California Building Code. This exception shall not apply to alterations that constitute substantial improvement in flood hazard areas, which shall comply with Section 503.2, 701.3 or 1301.3.3. This exception shall not apply to the structural provisions of Chapter 5 or to the structural provisions of Sections 706, 806 and 906.

301.3.1 Prescriptive compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 of this code in buildings complying with the California Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

Exception: Hospital buildings removed from acute care service, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate- care facilities, correctional treatment centers, and acute psychiatric hospitals [OSHPD 1R, 2, 4, and 5]. The provisions of adopted sections in Chapters 3 through 5 shall control the alteration, repair and change of occupancy or function of existing structures for applications listed in Section 1.10.1, 1.10.2, 1.10.4, and 1.10.5 regulated by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). Refer to Chapter 3A for services, systems and utilities that serve OSHPD 1 buildings.

301.3.2 Work area compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 6 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

Note: [HCD 1 & HCD 2] The provisions contained in Chapters 6 through 12 are not adopted by HCD, but may be available for adoption by a local ordinance. (See Section 1.1.11.)

301.3.3 Performance compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

Note: [HCD 1 & HCD 2] The provisions contained in Chapter 13 are not adopted by HCD, but may be avail- able for adoption by a local ordinance. (See Section 1.1.11.)

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▸Contents — California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
  1. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  2. Appendix A — GUIDELINES FOR
  3. Appendix B — SUPPLEMENTARY
  4. Appendix C — GUIDELINES FOR THE
  5. Chapter 1 — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
  6. ▸Chapter 3 — PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
    Overview
    1. Section 301
    2. Section 302
    3. Section 303
    4. Section 304
    5. Section 305
    6. Section 306
    7. Section 307 — [OSHPD 1R, 2, and 5]
    8. Section 308 — [OSHPD 1R, 2 and 5]
    9. Section 309 — [OSHPD 1R]
    10. Section 313
    11. Section 314
    12. Section 315
    13. Section 316
    14. Section 317
    15. Section 318
    16. Section 319
    17. Section 320
    18. Section 321
    19. Section 322
    20. Section 323
    21. Section 302A
    22. Section 301A
    23. Section 303A
    24. Section 304A
    25. Section 305A
    26. Section 306A
    27. Section 307A
    28. Section 308A
    29. Section 309A
    30. Section 310A
  7. Chapter 4 — REPAIRS
  8. Chapter 5 — PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD
  9. Chapter 6 — CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
  10. Chapter 7 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 1
  11. Chapter 8 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 2
  12. Chapter 9 — ALTERATIONS - LEVEL 3
  13. Chapter 10 — CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
  14. Chapter 11 — ADDITIONS
  15. Chapter 12 — HISTORIC BUILDINGS
  16. Chapter 13 — PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
  17. Chapter 14 — RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS
  18. Chapter 15 — CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS
  19. Chapter 16 — REFERENCED STANDARDS

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