Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.49 Existing Building Code

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), adopted Nov. 19, 2019, amended Ch. 18.49 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 18.49, §§ 18.49.010—18.49.070, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016.

The City Council adopts and incorporates by reference as though set forth in full in this chapter the 2025 Edition of the California Existing Building Code (herein referred to as "California Existing Building Code"). The California Existing Building Code is Part 10 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code. This part is based on the provisions of the 2024 Edition of the International Existing Building Code (herein referred to as the "International Existing Building Code") as developed by the International Code Council with necessary California amendments. The following appendix and chapters of the California Existing Building Code are included: Appendix A, Chapters A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. The following subsections, sections, chapters or appendices of the California Existing Building Code are deleted: Sections 101 through 117 of Chapter 1, Division II, 301.3.3 and 301.4; Chapters 12 through 14; Appendices B through E; and Resource A.

The adoption of the California Existing Building Code is subject to the changes, amendments and modifications to said code as provided in this chapter, and certain provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code, which shall remain in full force and effect as provided in this title. Such codes and code provisions shall constitute and be known as the Long Beach Existing Building Code. A copy of the California Existing Building Code, printed as code in book form, shall be on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Section 201.4 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

201.4 Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined through the methods authorized by this section, such terms shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, shall be considered as providing ordinarily accepted meanings.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Section 502.4 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

502.4 Existing structural elements carrying lateral load. Where the addition is structurally independent of the existing structure, existing lateral load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to remain unaltered. Where the addition is not structurally independent of the existing structure, the lateral force-resisting system of the existing structure and its addition acting together as a single structure shall comply with the requirements of Section 1609 of the California Building Code and with Section 304.3.1 of this code. Alternative procedures to demonstrate compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.1 of this code, as determined by the Building Official, may be used. Where the existing lateral system consists of unreinforced masonry, refer to Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Exceptions:

1. Except for unreinforced masonry buildings or structures, any existing lateral load-carrying structural element whose demand-capacity ratio with the addition considered is not more than 10 percent greater than its demand-capacity ratio with the addition ignored shall be permitted to remain unaltered. For purposes of calculating demand-capacity ratios, the demand shall consider applicable load combinations with design lateral loads or forces in accordance with Sections 1609 and 1613 of the California Building Code. For purposes of this exception, comparisons of demand-capacity ratios and calculation of design lateral loads, forces and capacities shall account for the cumulative effects of additions and alterations since original construction. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for wind, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code or the code wind forces in effect at the time. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for earthquake, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 304.3.1 or the full seismic forces in effect at the time.

2. Buildings of Group R occupancy with not more than five dwelling units used solely for residential purposes where the existing building and the addition together comply with the conventional light-frame construction methods of the California Building Code or the provisions of the California Residential Code.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022)

Section 503.4 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

503.4 Existing structural elements carrying lateral load. Except as permitted by Section 503.13, where the alteration increases design lateral loads, results in a prohibited structural irregularity as defined in ASCE 7, or decreases the capacity of any existing lateral load-carrying structural element, the lateral force-resisting system of the altered building or structure shall meet the requirements of Section 1609 of the California Building Code and with Section 304.3.2 of this code. Alternative procedures to demonstrate compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.2 of this code, as determined by the Building Official, may be used. Where the lateral force-resisting system consists of unreinforced masonry, refer to Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Exceptions:

1. Except for unreinforced masonry buildings, any existing lateral load-carrying structural element whose demand-capacity ratio with the alteration considered is not more than 10 percent greater than its demand-capacity ratio with the alteration ignored shall be permitted to remain unaltered. For purposes of calculating demand-capacity ratios, the demand shall consider applicable load combinations with design lateral loads or forces in accordance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.1 or 304.3.2 of this code. The same methodology shall be used for the altered and unaltered structures. For purposes of this exception, comparisons of demand-capacity ratios and calculation of design lateral loads, forces and capacities shall account for the cumulative effects of additions and alterations since original construction. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for wind, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code or the code wind forces in effect at the time. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for earthquake, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 304.3.1 or Section 304.3.2, Item 1 or 3, or the full or reduced seismic forces in effect at the time.

2. Buildings in which the increase in the demand-capacity ratio is due entirely to the addition of rooftop-supported mechanical equipment individually having an operating weight less than 400 pounds (181.4 kg) and where the total additional weight of all rooftop equipment placed after initial construction of the building is less than 10 percent of the roof dead load. For purposes of this exception, "roof" shall mean the roof level above a particular story.

3. Increases in the demand-capacity ratio due to lateral loads from seismic forces need not be evaluated for the installation of rooftop photovoltaic panel systems where the additional roof dead load due to the system, including ballast where applicable, does not exceed 5 pounds per square foot (psf) (0.2394 kN/m 2 ) and does not exceed 10 percent of the dead load of the existing roof.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022)

Section 506.1 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

506.1 Compliance. A change of use or occupancy shall not be made in any building unless that building is made to comply with the requirements of the California Building Code for the use or occupancy. Changes in use or occupancy in a building or portion thereof shall be such that the existing building is not less complying with the provisions of this code than the existing building or structure was prior to the change. Subject to the approval of the Building Official, the use or occupancy of existing buildings shall be permitted without conforming to all of the requirements of this code for the new use or occupancy, provided that the new use or occupancy is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use or occupancy. For the purpose of this section, the order of least hazardous group to highest hazardous group is as follows:

Group U (least hazardous group)

Groups R-3 and R-3.1

Group S-2

Groups B, C, F, L, M, H and S-1

Groups R-1, R-2, R-2.1 and R-4

Groups A, E and I (highest hazardous group)

Exception: The building or structure need not be made to comply with Chapter 16 of the California Building Code unless required by Section 506.5.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Section 506.1.1 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

506.1.1 Change in the character of use. A change in occupancy with no change of occupancy classification or an increase in occupant load within the same occupancy classification shall not be made to any building or structure that will subject the building or structure to any special provisions of the applicable California Codes, without approval of the Building Official. Compliance shall be only as necessary to meet the specific provisions and is not intended to require the entire building be brought into compliance.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Section 506.5.3 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

506.5.3 Seismic loads (seismic force-resisting system). Where a change of occupancy results in a building being assigned to a higher risk category, the change is from a Group S or Group U occupancy to any occupancy other than Group S or Group U, or the change is to Groups A, E or I occupancies in a building or structure constructed prior to January 9, 1934 and is within the scope of Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, the lateral force-resisting system of the building shall comply with Section 304.3.1 for the risk category assigned to the changed occupancy. Where a change of occupancy results in a building being assigned to Risk Category IV and Seismic Design Category D or F, nonstructural components serving any portion of the building changed to Risk Category IV shall comply with the requirements of Section 1613 of the California Building Code or shall comply with ASCE 41 using an objective of Operational nonstructural performance with the BSE-1N earthquake hazard level.

Exceptions:

1. Where the area of the new occupancy is less than 10 percent of the building area, the occupancy is not changing from Group S or Group U occupancy, and the new occupancy is not assigned to Risk Category IV, compliance with this section is not required. The cumulative effect of occupancy changes over time shall be considered.

2. Where a change of use results in a building or structure being reclassified from Risk Category I or II to Risk Category III and the seismic coefficient, S DS , is less than 0.33, compliance with this section is not required.

3. Unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings assigned to Risk Category III and to Seismic Design Category A or B, shall be permitted to use Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

4. Where the change is from Group S or Group U occupancy and there is no change of risk category, compliance with Section 304.3.2 shall be permitted.

For a change of occupancy from an existing commercial or industrial use to a residential use that does not result in a higher risk category, refer to Section 503 and Chapter 18.63 of the Long Beach Municipal Code for Alternative Building Standards for Adaptive Reuse Projects.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019)

Section 805.3 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

805.3 Existing structural elements resisting lateral loads. Except as permitted by Section 805.4, where the alteration increases design lateral loads, or where the alteration results in prohibited structural irregularity as defined in ASCE 7, or where the alteration decreases the capacity of any existing lateral load-carrying structural element, the lateral force-resisting system of the altered building or structure shall meet the requirements of Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.2 of this code. Alternative procedures to demonstrate compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.2 of this code, as determined by the Building Official, may be used. Where the lateral force-resisting system consists of unreinforced masonry, refer to Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Exceptions:

1. Any existing lateral load-carrying structural element whose demand-capacity ratio with the alteration considered is not more than 10 percent greater than its demand-capacity ratio with the alteration ignored shall be permitted to remain unaltered. For purposes of calculating demand-capacity ratios, the demand shall consider applicable load combinations with design lateral loads or forces in accordance with Section 1609 of the International Building Code and Section 304.3.1 or 304.3.2 of this code. The same methodology shall be used for the altered and unaltered structures. For purposes of this exception, comparisons of demand-capacity ratios and calculation of design lateral loads, forces and capacities shall account for the cumulative effects of additions and alterations since original construction. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for wind, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code or the code wind forces in effect at the time. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for earthquake, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 304.3.1 or 304.3.2 Item 1 or 3 or the full or reduced seismic forces in effect at the time.

2. Buildings in which the increase in the demand-capacity ratio is due entirely to the addition of rooftop-supported mechanical equipment individually having an operating weight less than 400 pounds (181.4 kg) and where the total additional weight of all rooftop equipment placed after initial construction of the building is less than 10 percent of the roof dead load. For purposes of this exception, "roof" shall mean the roof level above a particular story.

3. Increases in the demand-capacity ratio due to lateral loads from seismic forces need not be evaluated for the installation of rooftop photovoltaic panel systems where the additional roof dead load due to the system, including ballast where applicable, does not exceed 5 pounds per square foot (psf) (0.2394 kN/m 2 ) and does not exceed 10 percent of the dead load of the existing roof.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025)

Editor's note— ORD-25-0019, amended § 18.49.060 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former § 18.49.060 was entitled "Amend CEBC Section 1401.2—Moved structures, conformance," and derived from: ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; and ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019.

Section 906.2 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

906.2 Existing structural elements resisting lateral loads. Where work involves a substantial structural alteration, the lateral load-resisting system of the altered building shall be shown to satisfy the requirements of Section 1609 of the International Building Code and Section 304.3.2 of this code. Where the building is assigned to Seismic Design Category D or F, supports and attachments for nonstructural components required to serve any portion of the building with a use included in Risk Category IV shall comply with Section 1613 of the California Building Code or shall comply with ASCE 41 using an objective of Position Retention nonstructural performance with the BSE-1E earthquake hazard level. Alternative procedures to demonstrate compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.2 of this code, as determined by the Building Official, may be used. Where the lateral force-resisting system consists of unreinforced masonry, refer to Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings of Group R occupancy with not more than five dwelling or sleeping units used solely for residential purposes that are altered based on the conventional light-frame construction methods of the California Building Code or in compliance with the provisions of the California Residential Code.

2. Where the intended alteration involves only the lowest story of a building, structural components of the lateral load resisting system above that story need not comply with this section.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025)

Section 1006.3 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

1006.3 Seismic loads. Where a change of occupancy results in a building being assigned to a higher risk category, the change is from a Group S or Group U occupancy to any occupancy other than Group S or Group U, or the change is to Group A, E or I in a building or structure constructed prior to January 9, 1934 and is within the scope of Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, the lateral force-resisting system of the building shall comply with Section 304.3.1 for the risk category assigned to the changed occupancy. Where a change of occupancy results in a building being assigned to Risk Category IV and Seismic Design Category D or F, nonstructural components serving any portion of the building changed to Risk Category IV shall comply with the requirements of Section 1613 of the California Building Code or shall comply with ASCE 41 using an objective of operational nonstructural performance with the BSE-1N earthquake hazard level.

Exceptions:

1. Where a change of use results in a building being reclassified from Risk Category I or II to Risk Category III and the seismic coefficient, S DS , is less than 0.33, compliance with this section is not required.

2. Where the area of the new occupancy is less than 10 percent of the building area, the occupancy is not changing from a Group S or Group U occupancy, and the new occupancy is not assigned to Risk Category IV, compliance with this section is not required. The cumulative effect of occupancy changes over time shall be considered.

3. Unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings assigned to Risk Category III and to Seismic Design Category A or B, shall be permitted to use Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

4. Where the change is from Group S or Group U occupancy and there is no change of risk category, compliance with Section 304.3.2 shall be permitted.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025)

Section 1103.2 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

1103.2 Lateral force-resisting system. Where the addition is structurally independent of the existing structure, existing lateral load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to remain unaltered. Where the addition is not structurally independent of the existing structure, the lateral force-resisting system of the existing structure and its addition acting together as a single structure shall comply with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.1 of this code. Alternative procedures to demonstrate compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.1 of this code, as determined by the Building Official, may be used. Where the existing lateral system consists of unreinforced masonry, refer to Chapter 18.68 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings of Group R occupancy with not more than five dwelling or sleeping units used solely for residential purposes where the existing building and the addition comply with the conventional light-frame construction methods of the California Building Code or the provisions of the California Residential Code.

2. Except for unreinforced masonry buildings, any existing lateral load-carrying structural element whose demand-capacity ratio with the addition considered is not more than 10 percent greater than its demand-capacity ratio with the addition ignored shall be permitted to remain unaltered. For purposes of calculating demand-capacity ratios, the demand shall consider applicable load combinations with design lateral loads or forces in accordance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code and Section 304.3.1 of this code. For purposes of this exception, comparisons of demand-capacity ratios and calculation of design lateral loads, forces and capacities shall account for the cumulative effects of additions and alterations since original construction.

When calculating demand-capacity ratios for wind, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 1609 of the California Building Code or the code wind forces in effect at the time. When calculating demand-capacity ratios for earthquake, the date of original construction shall be permitted to be taken as the date of completion of a prior addition, alteration or repair in compliance with Section 304.3.1 or the full seismic forces in effect at the time.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025)

Section 1401.2 of the California Existing Building Code is amended to read as follows:

1401.2 Conformance. The building shall be safe for human occupancy as determined by the California Fire Code and Chapter 18.45 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. Any repair, alteration or change of occupancy undertaken within the moved structure shall comply with the requirement of this code applicable to the work being performed. Buildings or structures moved into or within the City shall comply with the provisions of this code and Chapter 18.60 of the Long Beach Municipal Code for new buildings or structures, whichever is more restrictive. Any field-fabricated elements shall comply with the requirements of the California Building Code or the California Residential Code as applicable. [HCD 1 & HCD 2] After July 1, 1978, local ordinances or regulations for moved apartment houses and dwellings shall permit the retention of existing materials and methods of construction, provided the apartment house or dwelling complies with the building standards for foundations applicable to new construction and does not become or continue to be a substandard building. For additional information, see Health and Safety Code Section 17958.9.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025)