Compliance paths, alterations & local‑adoption procedures

Grounded in the retrieved California Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CBC § 1.8.7.2 High relevance — show source text

  1.8.7.2 Local building departments. The building department of any city, county, or city and county may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition or arrangement of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings or accessory structures, except for the following: 1. Structures located in mobilehome parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18214. 2. Structures located in special occupancy parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18862.43. 3. Factory-built housing as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 19971.

  1.8.7.2.1 Approval of alternates. The consideration and approval of alternates by a local building department shall comply with the following procedures and limitations: 1. The approval shall be granted on a case-by-case basis. 2. Evidence shall be submitted to substantiate claims that the proposed alternate, in performance, safety and protection of life and health, conforms to, or is at least equivalent to, the standards contained in this code and other rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 1-11

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

  ADMINISTRATION

  3. The local building department may require tests performed by an approved testing agency at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent as proof of compliance. 4. If the proposed alternate is related to accessibility in covered multifamily dwellings or in facilities serving covered multifam- ily dwellings as defined in Chapter 2, the proposed alternate must also meet the threshold set for equivalent facilitation as defined in Chapter 2.

  For additional information regarding approval of alternates by a building department pursuant to the State Housing Law, see Cali- fornia Health and Safety Code Section 17951(e) and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1.

  1.8.7.3 Department of Housing and Community Development. The Department of Housing and Community Development may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings or an accessory thereto and permanent buildings in mobilehome parks and special occupancy parks. The consideration and approval of alternates shall comply with the following: 1. The department may require tests at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent to substantiate compliance with the California Building Standards Code. 2. The approved alternate shall, for its intended purpose, be at least equivalent in performance and safety to the materials, designs, tests or methods of construction prescribed by this code.

  SECTION 1.8.8—APPEALS BOARD

• CBC § 17958.5 Medium relevance — show source text

  Amendments, additions and deletions to this code adopted by a city, county, or city and county_ pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.5, 17958.7 and 18941.5, together with all applicable portions of this code, shall also become effective 180 days after publication of the California Building Standards Code by the California Building Standards Commission.

  1.8.6.2 Findings, filings and rejections of local modifications. Prior to making any modifications or establishing more restrictive building standards, the governing body shall make express findings and filings, as required by California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, showing that such modifications are reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological or topographical conditions. No modification shall become effective or operative unless the following requirements are met: 1. The express findings shall be made available as a public record. 2. A copy of the modification and express finding, each document marked to cross-reference the other, shall be filed with the California Building Standards Commission for a city, county, or city and county and with the Department of Housing and Community Development for fire protection districts. 3. The California Building Standards Commission has not rejected the modification or change.

  Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of fire protection districts pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(a).

  SECTION 1.8.7—ALTERNATE MATERIALS, DESIGNS, TESTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

  1.8.7.1 General. The provisions of this code, as adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development are not intended to prevent the use of any alternate material, appliance, installation, device, arrangement, design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code. Consideration and approval of alternates shall comply with Section 1.8.7.2 for local building departments and Section 1.8.7.3 for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

  1.8.7.2 Local building departments. The building department of any city, county, or city and county may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition or arrangement of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings or accessory structures, except for the following: 1. Structures located in mobilehome parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18214. 2. Structures located in special occupancy parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18862.43. 3. Factory-built housing as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 19971.

  1.8.7.2.1 Approval of alternates. The consideration and approval of alternates by a local building department shall comply with the following procedures and limitations: 1. The approval shall be granted on a case-by-case basis. 2. Evidence shall be submitted to substantiate claims that the proposed alternate, in performance, safety and protection of life and health, conforms to, or is at least equivalent to, the standards contained in this code and other rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. 3. The local building department may require tests performed by an approved testing agency at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent as proof of compliance. _4.

• CBC § 309.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  2||||X|X|||||||||||||||||||| |309.2.1|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |310 – 311|||||||||||X|X|||X|||||||||| |312|||||||||||X|||||||||||||| |313 – 316|||X|||||||||||||||||||||| |317 – 322|X|||||||X|X|||||||||||||||| |323||||||||X|X||||||||||||||||

  The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 3-1

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

  3-2 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

  3 PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 3 explains the three compliance options for alterations and additions available in the code. In addition, this chapter also lays out the methods to be used for seismic design and evaluation throughout this code. Finally, this chapter clarifies that provisions in other I-Codes related to repairs, alterations, additions, relocation and changes of occupancy must also be addressed unless they conflict with this code. In that case, this code takes precedence.

  SECTION 301—ADMINISTRATION

  301.1 Applicability. The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings shall comply with Section 301.2, 301.3 or 301.4. The provisions of Sections 302 through 309 shall apply to all alterations, repairs, additions, relocation of structures and changes of occupancy regardless of compliance method. [OSHPD 1R, 2, 4 and 5] Section 301.4 not permitted by OSHPD.

  Exceptions: 1. Existing state-owned structures. [BSC] The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition or relocation of all existing buildings shall comply with the provisions of Sections 317 through 322 as the minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for retrofit of existing state-owned structures, including buildings owned by the University of California, the California State University or the Judicial Council. The provisions of Sections 317 through 322 may be adopted by a local jurisdiction for earthquake evaluation and design for retrofit of existing buildings. 2. Public school buildings [DSA-SS] The provisions of Sections 317 through 323 establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for the rehabilitation of existing buildings for use as public school buildings under the jurisdiction of the Division of the State Architect—Structural Safety (DSA-SS, refer to Section 1.9.2.1) where required by Sections 4-307 and 4-309(c) of the California Administrative Code. The provisions of Sections 317 through 323 also establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for rehabilitation of existing public school buildings currently under the jurisdiction of DSA-SS. 3. _**Community college buildings.

• CBC § 3-3 Medium relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 3-3

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

  PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

  members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the California Building Code . This exception shall not apply to the following:

  1. Alterations for accessibility required by the California Building Code, Chapter 11A.

  2. Alterations that constitute substantial improvement in flood hazard areas, which shall comply with Sections 503.2, 701.3 or 1303.1.3.

  3. Structural provisions of Section 304, Chapter 5 or to the structural provisions of Sections 706, 805 and 906.

  301.3.1 Prescriptive compliance. 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 Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital 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. A lterations, 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.

  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 available for adoption by a local ordinance. (See Section 1.1.11.)

  301.4 Relocated or moved buildings. Relocated or moved buildings shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 14.

  SECTION 302—GENERAL PROVISIONS

  302.1 Dangerous conditions. The code official shall have the authority to require the elimination of conditions deemed dangerous.

  302.1.1 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.

  302.2 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.

• CBC § 1.8.7.2.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  1.8.7.2.1 Approval of alternates. The consideration and approval of alternates by a local building department shall comply with the following procedures and limitations: 1. The approval shall be granted on a case-by-case basis. 2. Evidence shall be submitted to substantiate claims that the proposed alternate, in performance, safety and protection of life and health, conforms to, or is at least equivalent to, the standards contained in this code and other rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. 3. The local building department may require tests performed by an approved testing agency at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent as proof of compliance. 4. If the proposed alternate is related to accessibility in covered multifamily dwellings or in facilities serving covered multifam- ily dwellings as defined in CBC Chapter 2, the proposed alternate must also meet the threshold set for equivalent facilitation as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Building Code.

  For additional information regarding approval of alternates by a building department pursuant to the State Housing Law, see Cali- fornia Health and Safety Code Section 17951(e) and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1.

  1.8.7.3 Department of Housing and Community Development. The Department of Housing and Community Development may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings, or an accessory thereto and permanent buildings in mobilehome parks and special occupancy parks. The consideration and approval of alternates shall comply with the following: 1. The department may require tests at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent to substantiate compliance with the California Building Standards Code. 2. The approved alternate shall, for its intended purpose, be at least equivalent in performance and safety to the materials, designs, tests or methods of construction prescribed by this code.

  SECTION 1.8.8—APPEALS BOARD

  1.8.8.1 General. Every city, county or city and county shall establish a process to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions and deter- minations made by the enforcing agency relative to the application and interpretation of this code and other regulations governing construction, use, maintenance and change of occupancy. The governing body of any city, county or city and county may establish a local appeals board and a housing appeals board to serve this purpose. Members of the appeals board(s) shall not be employees of the enforcing agency and shall be knowledgeable in the applicable building codes, regulations and ordinances as determined by the governing body of the city, county or city and county.

  Where no such appeals boards or agencies have been established, the governing body of the city, county or city and county shall serve as the local appeals board or housing appeals board as specified in California Health and Safety Code Sections 17920.5 and 17920.6.

  1.8.8.2 Definitions. The following terms shall for the purposes of this section have the meaning shown.

• CBC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  Chapter 5A Prescriptive Compliance Method.

  Chapter 5A provides details for the prescriptive compliance method for alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing build- ings and structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

  Chapter 6 Classification of Work.

  Chapter 6 provides an overview of the Work Area Method and defines the different classifications of work including alterations, change of occupancy, additions and historic buildings. Detailed requirements for all of these are given in subsequent Chapters 7 through 11.

  Chapter 7 Alterations—Level 1.

  Chapter 7 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 1 alterations as described in Section 602, which includes replacement or covering of existing materials, elements, equipment or fixtures using new materials for the same purpose. This chapter is distinguished from Chapters 8 and 9 by only involving replacement of building components with new components with no reconfiguration of space.

  Chapter 8 Alterations—Level 2.

  A Level 2 alteration is an alteration involving space reconfiguration that could be up to and including 50 percent of the area of the building or addition of a new building system. Level 2 alterations also include the extension or addition of any system or equipment. The purpose of Chapter 8 is to provide detailed requirements and provisions to identify the required improvements in the existing building elements, means of egress, fire protection, structural systems, energy efficiency, and other building systems include electrical, mechanical and plumbing when a building is being altered.

  Chapter 9 Alterations—Level 3.

  Chapter 9 provides the technical requirements for those existing buildings that undergo Level 3 alterations. Level 3 alterations are those involving alterations that cover 50 percent of the aggregate area of the building. Under certain situations, this chapter also intends to improve the safety of certain building features beyond the work area and in other parts of the building where no alteration work might be taking place.

  Chapter 10 Change of Occupancy.

  The purpose of Chapter 10 is to address existing buildings that are subject to a change of occupancy. This chapter is an assembly of requirements to upgrade safety without having to comply fully as a new building. A change of occupancy classification is considered a change of occupancy, however, it will involve a higher level of regulation since the use of the building has made a more significant change.

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE xiii

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

  Chapter 11 Additions.

  Chapter 11 provides the requirements for additions, which are considered new construction. The requirements focus on safely integrating the addition with the existing building. This includes issues such as limiting the overall height and area of the building where the addition is not separated by a fire wall.

  Chapter 12 Historic Buildings —Reserved

  Chapter 12 is not adopted by the State of California. Historic buildings and structures shall comply with Part 8, Title 24, California Code of Regulations.

  Chapter 13 Performance Compliance Methods.

  Chapter 13 allows for existing buildings to be evaluated to show that alterations or a change of occupancy, while not meeting new construction requirements, will provide a level of safety to demonstrate compliance. Provisions are based on a numerical scoring system involving 21 safety parameters where, when evaluated, such buildings must meet a minimum overall safety score.

• CBC § 316.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  SECTION 316 [SFM]—EXISTING GROUP L OCCUPANCIES

  316.1 Repairs general. Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all the requirements of this code section, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to the requirements of this section.

  316.2 Unsafe condition. Additions, repairs or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the existing building or structure to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code, nor shall such additions or alterations cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe, or to be in violation of any of the provisions of this code. An unsafe condition shall be deemed to have been created if an addition or alteration will cause the existing building or structure to become structurally unsafe or overloaded; will not provide adequate egress in compliance with the provisions of this code or will obstruct existing exits; will create a fire hazard; will reduce required fire resistance or will otherwise create conditions dangerous to human life.

  316.3 Changes in use or occupancy. Any buildings that have alternations or additions, which involves a change in use or occupancy, shall not exceed the height, number of stories and area permitted for new buildings.

  316.4 Buildings not in compliance with code. Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure when such existing building or structure is not in full compliance with the provisions of this code except when such addition or alteration will result in the existing building or structure being no more hazardous, based on life safety, fire safety and sanitation, than before such additions or alterations are undertaken.

  316.5 Maintenance of structural and fire resistive integrity. Alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure that are nonstructural and do not adversely affect any structural member of any part of the building or structure having required fire resistance may be made with the same materials of which the building or structure is constructed. The installation or replacement of glass shall be as required for new installations.

  316.6 Continuation of existing use. Buildings in existence at the time of the adoption of this code may have their existing use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this code, provided such continued use is not dangerous to life.

  316.7 Maximum allowable quantities. Laboratory suites approved prior to January 1, 2008 shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities listed in Tables 316.1 and 316.2.

  3-14 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

  PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS

  |TABLE 316.7(1)—EXEMPT AMOUNTS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, LIQUIDS AND CHEMICALS
  PRESENTING A PHYSICAL HAZARD BASIC QUANTITIES PER LABORATORY SUITE1
  When two units are given, values within parentheses are in cubic feet (cu.

• CBC § 1.8.7 Medium relevance — show source text

  No_ modification shall become effective or operative unless the following requirements are met: 1. The express findings shall be made available as a public record. 2. A copy of the modification and express finding, each document marked to cross-reference the other, shall be filed with the Cali- fornia Building Standards Commission for a city, county or city and county and with the Department of Housing and Community Development for fire protection districts. 3. The California Building Standards Commission has not rejected the modification or change.

  Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of fire protection districts pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7(a).

  SECTION 1.8.7—ALTERNATE MATERIALS, DESIGNS, TESTS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

  1.8.7.1 General. The provisions of this code, as adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development, are not intended to prevent the use of any alternate material, appliance, installation, device, arrangement, design or method of construction not specifi-

  1-8 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE

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

  DIVISION I CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

  cally prescribed by this code. Consideration and approval of alternates shall comply with Section 1.8.7.2 for local building departments and Section 1.8.7.3 for the Department of Housing and Community Development.

  1.8.7.2 Local building departments. The building department of any city, county or city and county may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition or arrangement of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings or accessory structures, except for the following: 1. Structures located in mobilehome parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18214. 2. Structures located in special occupancy parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18862.43. 3. Factory-built housing as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 19971.

  1.8.7.2.1 Approval of alternates. The consideration and approval of alternates by a local building department shall comply with the following procedures and limitations: 1. The approval shall be granted on a case-by-case basis. 2. Evidence shall be submitted to substantiate claims that the proposed alternate, in performance, safety and protection of life and health, conforms to, or is at least equivalent to, the standards contained in this code and other rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Housing and Community Development. 3. The local building department may require tests performed by an approved testing agency at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent as proof of compliance. 4. If the proposed alternate is related to accessibility in covered multifamily dwellings or in facilities serving covered multifam- ily dwellings as defined in CBC Chapter 2, the proposed alternate must also meet the threshold set for equivalent facilitation as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Building Code.

  For additional information regarding approval of alternates by a building department pursuant to the State Housing Law, see Cali- fornia Health and Safety Code Section 17951(e) and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1.

  _**1.8.7.3 Department of Housing and Community Development.

• CBC § 1.11. Medium relevance — show source text

  The state agency does not adopt sections identified with the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

  2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 13-1

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

  13-2 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

  13 PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS

  Not adopted by the State of California (May be available for adoption by local ordinance. See Section 1.1.11.) (See Section 104.11 for consideration of alternative means of compliance.)

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 13 allows for existing buildings to be evaluated so as to show that alterations, while not meeting new construction requirements, will improve the current existing situation. Provisions are based on a numerical scoring system involving 21 various safety parameters and the degree of code compliance for each issue.

  SECTION 1301—GENERAL

  1301.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the alteration, addition and change of occupancy of existing structures, including historic structures, as referenced in Section 301.3.3. The provisions of this chapter are intended to maintain or increase the current degree of public safety, health and general welfare in existing buildings while permitting, alteration, addition and change of occupancy without requiring full compliance with Chapters 6 through 12, except where compliance with the prescriptive method of Chapter 5 or the work area method of other provisions of this code is specifically required in this chapter.

  1301.1.1 Compliance with other methods. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy to existing structures shall comply with the provisions of this chapter or with one of the methods provided in Section 301.3.

  SECTION 1302—APPLICABILITY

  1302.1 General. Existing buildings in which there is work involving additions, alterations or changes of occupancy shall be made to conform to the requirements of this chapter or the provisions of Chapters 6 through 12. The provisions of Sections 1302.1.1 through 1302.1.6 shall apply to existing occupancies that will continue to be, or are proposed to be, in Groups A, B, E, F, I-2, M, R and S. These provisions shall also apply to Group U occupancies where such occupancies are undergoing a change of occupancy or a partial change in occupancy with separations in accordance with Section 1302.1.2. These provisions shall not apply to buildings with occupancies in Group H, I-1, I-3 or I-4.

  1302.1.1 Change in occupancy. Where an existing building is changed to a new occupancy classification and this section is applicable, the provisions of this section for the new occupancy shall be used to determine compliance with this code.

  1302.1.2 Partial change in occupancy. Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification and that portion is separated from the remainder of the building with fire barrier or horizontal assemblies having a fire-resistance rating as required by Table 508.4 of the International Building Code or Section R302 of the International Residential Code for the separate occupancies, or with approved compliance alternatives, the portion changed shall be made to conform to the provisions of this section. Only the portion separated shall be required to be evaluated for compliance.

• CBC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER TOPICS	Col2
  CHAPTER	SUBJECTS
  1, 2	Administrative Requirements and Definitions
  3	Provisions for all Compliance Methods
  4	Repairs
  5	Prescriptive Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
  6–11	Work Area Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
  13	Performance Compliance Method for Existing Buildings
  14	Relocated Buildings
  15	Construction Safeguards
  16	Referenced Standards
  Appendix A	Guidelines for Seismic Retrofit of Existing Buildings
  Appendix B	Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings
  Appendix C	Guidelines for Wind Retrofit of Existing Buildings
  Appendix D	Board of Appeals
  Appendix E	Temporary Emergency Uses
  Resource A	Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies

  CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE CORRELATED TOPICS

  The CEBC requirements for construction safeguards are directly correlated to the requirements of the CBC. The following table shows chapters of the CBC that are correlated with the CEBC:

  CEBC/CBC CORRELATED TOPICS	Col2	Col3
  CEBC CHAPTER/SECTION	CBC CHAPTER/SECTION	SUBJECT
  Chapter 15	Chapter 33	Construction safeguards

  Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

  Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

  Chapter 2 Definitions.

  Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

  xii 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

  Chapter 3 Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

  Chapter 3 guides the use of the three compliance methods of the CEBC and provides requirements that apply globally. The globally applicable requirement include general requirements related to buildings materials and other applicable codes, storm shelters, structural loads, in-situ load tests, accessibility, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detection and exterior wall coverings.

  Chapter 3A Provisions for All Compliance Methods.

  Chapter 3A controls the compliance options for alteration, repair, addition, evaluation and change of occupancy of existing structures regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

  Chapter 4 Repairs.

  Chapter 4, a chapter independent of the three compliance methods, governs the repair of existing buildings. The provisions define conditions under which repairs may be made using materials and methods like those of the original construction or the extent to which repairs must comply with requirements for new buildings.

  Chapter 4A Repairs.

  Chapter 4A governs the repair of existing buildings regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of State- wide Hospital Planning and Development, which include hospitals and correctional treatment centers (applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1).

• CBC § 1-11 Medium relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 1-11

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

  ADMINISTRATION

  3. The local building department may require tests performed by an approved testing agency at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent as proof of compliance. 4. If the proposed alternate is related to accessibility in covered multifamily dwellings or in facilities serving covered multifam- ily dwellings as defined in Chapter 2, the proposed alternate must also meet the threshold set for equivalent facilitation as defined in Chapter 2.

  For additional information regarding approval of alternates by a building department pursuant to the State Housing Law, see Cali- fornia Health and Safety Code Section 17951(e) and California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1.

  1.8.7.3 Department of Housing and Community Development. The Department of Housing and Community Development may approve alternates for use in the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal or demolition of apartments, condominiums, hotels, motels, lodging houses, dwellings or an accessory thereto and permanent buildings in mobilehome parks and special occupancy parks. The consideration and approval of alternates shall comply with the following: 1. The department may require tests at the expense of the owner or owner’s agent to substantiate compliance with the California Building Standards Code. 2. The approved alternate shall, for its intended purpose, be at least equivalent in performance and safety to the materials, designs, tests or methods of construction prescribed by this code.

  SECTION 1.8.8—APPEALS BOARD

  1.8.8.1 General. Every city, county, or city and county shall establish a process to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions and determinations made by the enforcing agency relative to the application and interpretation of this code and other regulations governing construction, use, maintenance and change of occupancy. The governing body of any city, county, or city and county may establish a local appeals board and a housing appeals board to serve this purpose. Members of the appeals board(s) shall not be employees of the enforcing agency and shall be knowledgeable in the applicable building codes, regulations and ordinances as determined by the governing body of the city, county, or city and county.

  Where no such appeals boards or agencies have been established, the governing body of the city, county, or city and county shall serve as the local appeals board or housing appeals board as specified in California Health and Safety Code Sections 17920.5 and 17920.6.

  1.8.8.2 Definitions. The following terms shall for the purposes of this section have the meaning shown.

  HOUSING APPEALS BOARD. The board or agency of a city, county, or city and county which is authorized by the governing body of the city, county, or city and county to hear appeals regarding the requirements of the city, county, or city and county relating to the use, maintenance and change of occupancy of buildings and structures, including requirements governing alteration, additions, repair, demolition and moving. In any area in which there is no such board or agency, “Housing appeals board” means the local appeals board having jurisdiction over the area.

• CBC § 3.1 Medium relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE APPENDIX O-1

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

  O PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION

  The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically adopted by a state agency or referenced in the adopting ordinance.

  User notes:

  About this appendix: Appendix O provides an optional design, review and approval framework for use by the building official. Typical uses would include cases of alternate methods in Chapter 1, select areas of the code that require a rational analysis such as Section 909 and elsewhere. It simply extracts the relevant administrative provisions from the ICC Performance Code into a more concise, usable appendix format for a jurisdiction confronted with such a need. Currently there are multiple, varying jurisdictional rules and procedures in many communities regarding procedure and none in even more. The building official is often left alone to reach decisions not just on the merits of a design but must first also decide on the submittal and review process. As an appendix, the provisions herein are entirely optional to a jurisdiction. This appendix can be adopted, adopted with local modifications, or even used on a case-by-case basis as part of a Memorandum of Understanding or similar legal agreement between the jurisdiction and the owner/design team. It simply represents another tool for the jurisdiction to reach for in cases of need; it neither encourages nor creates any additional opportunity for performance-based design.

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to this appendix will be considered by the Administrative Code Development Committee during the

  2025 (Group B) Code Development Cycle.

  [A] SECTION O101—GENERAL

  O101.1 Introduction. The following administrative provisions are excerpted from the International Code Council Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities and can be used in conjunction with the Alternate Methods provisions in Chapter 1, or for a review of submittals requiring a rational analysis or performance-based design. These provisions provide an established framework for the building official in terms of the design expertise needed, the necessary submittals, a review framework and related items.

  O101.2 Qualifications. Registered design professionals shall possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to demonstrate compliance with this code.

  O101.3 Construction document preparation. Construction documents required by this code shall be prepared in adequate detail and submitted for review and approval in accordance with Section 107.

  O101.3.1 Review. Construction documents submitted in accordance with this code shall be reviewed for code compliance with the appropriate code provisions in accordance with Section 107.

  O101.4 Construction. Construction shall comply with the approved construction documents submitted in accordance with this code, and shall be verified and approved to demonstrate compliance with this code.

  O101.4.1 Facility operating policies and procedures. Policies, operations, training and procedures shall comply with approved documents submitted in accordance with this code, and shall be verified and approved to demonstrate compliance with this code.

  O101.4.2 Maintenance. Maintenance of the performance-based design shall be ensured throughout the life of the building or portion thereof.

  O101.4.3 Changes. The owner or the owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible to ensure that any change to the facility, process or system does not increase the hazard level beyond that originally designed without approval and that changes shall be documented in accordance with the code.

  O101.5 Documentation. The registered design professional shall prepare appropriate documentation for the project, clearly detailing the approach and rationale for the design submittal, the construction and the future use of the buildin