CEBC · California Existing Building Code
What Chapter 3A differences apply to OSHPD (health‑care) buildings?
If your project is under OSHPD jurisdiction (hospitals, etc.), use CEBC **Chapter 3A** — it replaces or modifies Chapter 3 for applicability, repair rules (Chapter 4A), how to choose prescriptive/work‑area/performance compliance, where services and egress may pass, and seismic/SPC/NPC acceptance paths; pay attention to OSHPD deadlines (for example, **January 1, 2030** for through‑building egress allowances).
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
What the code requires — 2-4 sentences
Chapter 3A provides OSHPD‑specific replacements and supplements to the CEBC Chapter 3 requirements for buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction (hospitals, correctional treatment centers, certain freestanding hospital buildings). The OSHPD rules require that alterations, repairs, additions, services/systems and means of egress for these buildings follow the Chapter 3A provisions and related OSHPD-adopted chapters (Chapters 4A, 5A, etc.). See §301A.1 for applicability and the statement that Chapter 3A controls OSHPD buildings.
The single most important rule: If a building or its services/systems are under OSHPD jurisdiction, use the Chapter 3A provisions (not the regular Chapter 3 rules) for applicability, repairs, compliance method choice, services/systems routing, and means of egress.
Requirements in detail
Applicability and administration
- §301A.1 — Applicability: Chapter 3A controls alteration, repair, addition and change of occupancy for structures listed in Section 1.10.1 under OSHPD jurisdiction (OSHPD 1 applications). OSHPD enforces related CEC, State Fire Marshal and DSA‑AC requirements for those structures.
- Compliance method selection: Alterations/additions/changes must comply with one of the methods identified in §301A.3.1, §301A.3.2, or §301A.3.3; prescriptive (Chapter 5A), work‑area, or performance methods apply as adopted by OSHPD.
Repairs
- Repairs to OSHPD buildings follow Chapter 4A (see §301A.2 and Chapter 4A references). Repairs must not reduce the building’s prior level of compliance; special repair provisions for glass, structural elements, and flood areas are in Chapter 4A.
Services, systems and utilities
- Origin and routing: Services/systems and utilities must originate in and only pass through or under buildings that are under OSHPD jurisdiction — see §310A.1 and §310A.1.2. This is a controlling OSHPD constraint when planning utilities and connections.
- Passing through buildings removed from service: Services for conforming acute‑care hospital buildings are permitted to pass through or under a building removed from acute‑care service until January 1, 2030, only if that removed building meets specific performance requirements (see §310A.1.1.1.5 and related exceptions). Additional conditional allowances and deadlines (for SPC‑1/SPC‑2 support) are provided.
Means of egress
- Egress jurisdiction rule: Means of egress shall only pass through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction — see §311A.1.2 and the general requirement in §311A.1.
- Transition allowances and dates: Egress from acute‑care hospital buildings was allowed to pass through buildings removed from hospital service subject to conditions up to January 1, 2030; after that date egress may pass only through buildings with the required higher performance categories (e.g., SPC‑3 and NPC‑5) — see §311A.1.1.1.6.
Structural performance, SPC/NPC and seismic evaluation
- Chapter 3A ties into the California Administrative Code/ASCE‑41 performance ratings and structural performance categories (SPC) and nonstructural performance categories (NPC). For example, §304A.3.4.4 and §304A.3.4.5 describe how compliance with ASCE 41‑13 maps to SPC‑2, SPC‑4D, and related NPC requirements — these are the seismic performance acceptance paths for OSHPD buildings.
Quick reference table (decision‑relevant)
| Topic | Key value / threshold | Where to look (code reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicability to OSHPD buildings | Chapter 3A controls OSHPD projects | §301A.1 |
| Choose compliance method | Prescriptive (5A), Work‑area, Performance — OSHPD‑adopted options | §301A.3.1 – §301A.3.3 |
| Repairs standard | Use Chapter 4A repair rules; must not reduce prior compliance | §301A.2, Chapter 4A |
| Services/systems route | Must originate in and pass only through OSHPD‑jurisdiction buildings | §310A.1, §310A.1.2 |
| Services through removed buildings | Allowed for conforming buildings until January 1, 2030 under conditions | §310A.1.1.1.5 |
| Means of egress through removed buildings | Permitted until January 1, 2030 subject to conditions; afterward SPC‑3 & NPC‑5 required | §311A.1.1.1.6 |
| SPC/NPC seismic compliance | ASCE‑41 acceptance paths for SPC/NPC (e.g., SPC‑2 via S‑3 @ BSE‑1E) | §304A.3.4.4, §304A.3.4.5 |
Exceptions & special cases
- Exception to method selection: The enforcement agency may approve using the laws in effect when the building (or portion) was built as a compliance alternative; new structural members added must comply with the California Building Code. See the exception in §301A.3.
- Services/egress through removed buildings: OSHPD provides time‑limited allowances (see the January 1, 2030 and January 1, 2026 deadlines in §§310A & 311A) and additional conditions (e.g., separation of utilities, NPC/essential power requirements) where a removed building remains under OSHPD jurisdiction. Read the exception conditions in §310A.1.1.1.5 and the exceptions in §310A.1.1.1.4.
- Removal from OSHPD jurisdiction: The separate Section 312A process governs transferring a building out of OSHPD jurisdiction and lists eligibility criteria and buildings that must remain under OSHPD (for example, buildings providing central plant or serving as required patient egress). See §312A.5 and related subsections.
If you need the complete text of a particular subsection (for example, the full wording of §310A.1.1.1.5 or the full ASCE‑41 mapping in §304A.3.4.5), the files I used contain those subsections; request a verbatim pull and I will extract them for you with exact code text and citation. The article above intentionally synthesizes rather than pastes long code blocks.
Common mistakes
- Assuming regular CEBC Chapter 3 rules apply to OSHPD projects — Chapter 3A replaces or modifies Chapter 3 for OSHPD scopes (see §301A.1).
- Routing services or egress through non‑OSHPD buildings without checking the origin/jurisdiction and date‑based allowances (miss the §310A.1 and §311A.1.1.1.6 constraints).
- Ignoring ASCE‑41 acceptance paths when evaluating SPC/NPC — Chapter 3A explicitly references ASCE‑41 mapping for SPCs (see §304A.3.4.x).
- Treating “removed from acute‑care service” buildings as automatically free of OSHPD requirements — many removed buildings remain under OSHPD jurisdiction or must meet transfer criteria in §312A.
Worked example — concrete scenario
Scenario: A hospital (Building H) under OSHPD jurisdiction needs to route an essential medical gas riser through an adjacent building (Building X) that was removed from acute‑care service but remains under OSHPD jurisdiction. Building H is an SPC‑2 building. What can you do?
- Check origin/jurisdiction: Services must originate in and pass only through OSHPD‑jurisdiction buildings — §310A.1 and §310A.1.2. Confirm Building X remains under OSHPD jurisdiction; if it was transferred out, additional conditions apply.
- Time limit & performance: If the riser supports conforming acute‑care services, it may be permitted to pass through Building X until January 1, 2030, provided Building X meets performance requirements in §310A.1.1.1.5. If Building X does not meet them, the exception pathway allows passage only when various conditions are met (e.g., supported SPC‑1/SPC‑2 buildings have NPC‑2 nonstructural compliance and have conforming essential power sources) and deadlines (e.g., no later than January 1, 2026 for SPC‑2 buildings) are satisfied.
- Seismic/nonstructural review: Confirm Building X’s SPC/NPC rating or demonstrate ASCE‑41 acceptance for the required SPC level (e.g., verify SPC‑2 acceptance via §304A.3.4.4 if using ASCE‑41 paths). If Building X cannot meet the required performance, reroute the riser to originate and pass only through OSHPD‑jurisdiction and conforming buildings.
- Means of egress impact: If egress for Building H must pass through Building X, confirm the allowance (only through OSHPD‑jurisdiction buildings and with time‑limited/PCP/NPC conditions per §311A.1.1.1.6). After January 1, 2030, egress may pass only through buildings with SPC‑3 and NPC‑5 performance.
Result: If Building X is OSHPD‑jurisdiction, meets the OSHPD performance requirements or the exception conditions, and deadlines are met, the riser may be routed through it for the allowed period; otherwise reroute so services remain within qualifying OSHPD buildings. Check the exact subsections cited above and coordinate with OSHPD for acceptance.
Related provisions (select)
- §301A.1 — Applicability for OSHPD buildings (Chapter 3A controls).
- §301A.3.1 – §301A.3.3 — Allowed compliance methods (prescriptive 5A, work‑area, performance) for OSHPD.
- §304A.3.4.4 / §304A.3.4.5 — ASCE‑41 acceptance and SPC/NPC mapping for seismic performance.
- §310A.1, §310A.1.1.1.4–.5 — Services/systems and utilities routing and exceptions.
- §311A.1, §311A.1.1.1.6, §311A.1.2 — Means of egress alternatives, passing through removed buildings, and jurisdiction rules.
- §312A — Removal of hospital SPC and freestanding buildings from acute‑care service and criteria for eligibility to change jurisdiction.
- Chapter 4A (repairs) — Repair provisions for OSHPD buildings.
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 1.11. High 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.
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3 A PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
User notes:
About this chapter: 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 Section 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1)].
SECTION 301 A —ADMINISTRATION
301 A .1 Applicability. The provisions of this chapter shall control the alteration, repair, addition and change of occupancy of existing structures for applications listed in Sections 1.10.1 [OSHPD 1] regulated by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
California Energy Commission, State Fire Marshal and DSA-AC requirements for existing structures shall be enforced by the Department of Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD).
301 A .1.1 Bleachers, grandstands and folding and telescopic seating. Existing bleachers, grandstands and folding and telescopic seating shall comply with ICC 300.
301 A .2 Repairs. Repairs shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 4 A .
301 A .3 Alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The alteration, addition or change of occupancy of all existing buildings or structures shall comply with one of the methods or categories listed in Section 301 A .3.1, 301 A .3.2 or 301 A .3.3. Section 304A.3.2 applies to all methods or categories. Sections 301 A .3.1 through 301 A .3.3 shall not be applied in combination with each other , except when permitted by the enforcement agency.
Exception: Subject to the approval of the enforcement agency, 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 .
301 A .3.1 Prescriptive compliance method. Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 A of this code for existing buildings or structures shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
CEBC § 312A.5 High relevance — show source text
312A.5 Change in jurisdiction for buildings removed from general acute care service. Except as provided by Section 312A.5.3, at the hospital’s discretion, a building removed from general acute care service shall be permitted to be placed under the jurisdiction of the local enforcement agency. To be eligible for a change in jurisdiction, the building removed from general acute care service shall satisfy the requirements of Section 312A.5.1.
312A.5.1 Eligibility for change in jurisdiction. For a building removed from general acute care service to be eligible for a change in jurisdiction to the local enforcing agency, all the following criteria shall be satisfied:
a. The building removed from general acute care service shall be freestanding, as defined in the California Administrative Code, Section 7-111.
b. Any hospital support services located in the building removed from general acute care service, including administrative services, central sterile supply, storage, morgue and autopsy, employee dressing rooms and lockers, janitorial and house- keeping service, and laundry, shall be in excess of the minimum requirements for licensure and operation. Prior approval by the California Department of Public Health shall be obtained by hospital to locate these services in the building removed from general acute care service.
c. Services/systems and utilities (e.g., power, emergency power, communication/data/nurse-call systems, space-heating systems, fire alarm system, fire-sprinkler system, medical gas & plumbing systems) shall be separate and independent from those serving any buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction.
d. If the building being transferred to the jurisdiction of the local enforcing agency is adjacent to a building under OSHPD juris- diction and fire-resistive construction separations are required, they shall be located in the building under OSHPD jurisdiction.
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312A.5.2 Modification of b uildings removed from OSHPD jurisdiction. The owner of the building shall be responsible for bringing the building into compliance with all requirements of the new authority having jurisdiction. If a building requires modification to become eligible for removal from OSHPD jurisdiction, the construction project shall be closed with compliance by OSHPD prior to the change in jurisdiction. All occupancy separation, set-back and allowable area requirements shall be enforced.
312A.5.3 Buildings not eligible for change in jurisdiction. The following freestanding buildings shall remain under OSHPD jurisdiction: a. Any building in which basic and/or supplementary services are provided for a general acute care hospital, acute psychiatric hospital and general acute care hospital providing only acute medical rehabilitation center services. b. Any building which provides required patient access, egress or smoke compartment for a Building under OSHPD’s jurisdiction. c. Any building in which services under OSHPD jurisdiction are provided, including skilled nursing services, intermediate care services, acute psychiatric services and distinct part skilled nursing or intermediate care services. d. Any building providing central plant or utility services to a building under OSHPD jurisdiction. e. Any building through which utilities pass through, over or under, to serve a building under OSHPD jurisdiction.
CEBC § 1.10.1.3 High relevance — show source text
OSHPD 1 adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 10: Chapters 2, 3A, 4A, 5A and 16.
OSHPD 1R adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 10: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 16.
1.10.1.3 Identification of amendments. For applications listed in Section 1.10.1, amendments in this code appear in this code preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 1], unless the entire chapter is applicable. For nonconforming hospital buildings removed from acute-care service, amendments are preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 1R].
1.10.1.4 Reference to other chapters. Where reference is made within the California Building Standards Code to sections in Chapters 3, 4 and 5, the respective section in Chapters 3A, 4A and 5A, shall apply instead for hospital buildings under OSHPD 1.
Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.
References— Health and Safety Code Sections 19958, 127010, 127015, 129680, 1275 and 129675 through 130070.
1.10.2 OSHPD 2. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.
Application— Skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility buildings.
Enforcing agency— Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD). The office shall enforce the California Energy Commission – Energy Regulations, the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance regulations, and the regulations of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the above-stated facility types.
1.10.2.1 Applicable administrative standards. 1. Title 24, Part 1, California Code of Regulations: Chapter 7. 2. Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10, Chapter 1, Division I, and as adopted in Chapter 1, Division II.
3. Title 24, Part 10, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10, Chapter 1, Division I, and as adopted in Chapter 1, Division II.
1.10.2.2 Applicable building standards. California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11.
The provisions of Title 24, Part 10, as adopted and amended by OSHPD, shall apply to the applications listed in Section 1.10.2.
OSHPD 2 adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 10: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 16.
1.10.2.3 Identification of amendments. For applications listed in Section 1.10.2, amendments in this code appear in this code preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 2], unless the entire chapter is applicable.
Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.
CEBC § 1.10.1 High relevance — show source text
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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).
Chapter 5 Prescriptive Compliance Method.
Chapter 5 provides one of the three main options of compliance available in the CEBC for buildings and structures undergoing alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The base requirements are more administrative in nature. The structural triggers for upgrades are consistent with the Work Area Method.
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.
CEBC § 3A-11 High relevance — show source text
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
311A.1.1.1.6 Buildings removed from hospital service. The means of egress for acute care hospitals shall be permitted to pass through buildings that are removed from hospital service only if the buildings remain under the jurisdiction of OSHPD, and only until January 1, 2030, subject to the following:
1. Egress for conforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.1 or 311A.1.1.1.3.
2. Egress for nonconforming hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through buildings that have been removed from acute care hospital service that comply with the requirements of Section 311A.1.1.1.2 or 311A.1.1.1.4.
After January 1, 2030, the means of egress for acute care hospital buildings shall only pass through hospital buildings that have approved performance categories of SPC-3 or higher and NPC-5.
311A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Means of egress shall only pass through buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 312A—REMOVAL OF HOSPITAL
SPC AND FREESTANDING BUILDINGS FROM GENERAL ACUTE CARE SERVICE
312A.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply when hospital SPC or freestanding buildings are being removed from general acute care service, including when freestanding buildings are removed from OSHPD jurisdiction. Removal of these buildings shall satisfy the requirements of this section and the California Building Standards Code. OSHPD approval of construction documents and a building permit are required for removal.
312A.1.1 Buildings without approved extensions. An SPC-1 hospital building without an approved delay in compliance require- ments in accordance with the California Administrative Code (CAC) Chapter 6 Section 1.5.2 or past the extension date granted in accordance with the CAC Chapter 6 Section 1.5.2 shall not be issued a building permit until a project to remove the subject SPC-1 building from general acute care services has been approved, permitted and closed in compliance by the Office.
Exception: Building permits for seismic compliance, maintenance and repair shall be permitted to be issued.
312A.2 Definitions. The following words and terms are applicable to this section only:
BUILDING. The area included within surrounding exterior walls or any combination of exterior walls and fire walls (as described in Cali- fornia Building Code Sections 202 and 706) exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the building area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. A building may consist of one or more adjacent SPC buildings.
CEBC § 1.10.1.4 Medium relevance — show source text
1.10.1.4 Reference to other chapters. Where reference is made within this code to sections in Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22, the respective sections in Chapters 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 21A and 22A shall apply instead for hospital buildings under OSHPD 1.
Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.
References— Health and Safety Code Sections 19958, 127010, 127015, 129680, 1275 and 129675 through 130070.
1.10.2 OSHPD 2. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.
Application— Skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility buildings.
Enforcing agency— Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD). The office shall also enforce the California Energy Commission—Energy Regulations, the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance regulations and the regulations of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the above-stated facility type.
1.10.2.1 Applicable administrative standards. 1. Title 24, Part 1, California Code of Regulations: Chapter 7. 2. Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10, Chapter 1, Division I, and as adopted in Chapter 1, Division II.
1.10.2.2 Applicable building standards. California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11.
The provisions of Title 24, Part 2, as adopted and amended by OSHPD, shall apply to the applications listed in Section 1.10.2.
OSHPD 2 adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 2:
Chapters 2 through 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 35.
1.10.2.3 Identification of amendments. For applications listed in Section 1.10.2, amendments appear in this code preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 2].
Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.
References— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129680.
1.10.3 OSHPD 3. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.
Application— Licensed clinics and any freestanding building under a hospital license where outpatient clinical services are provided.
Enforcing agency— Local building department.
CEBC § 3A-13 Medium relevance — show source text
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PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
312A.5.2 Modification of b uildings removed from OSHPD jurisdiction. The owner of the building shall be responsible for bringing the building into compliance with all requirements of the new authority having jurisdiction. If a building requires modification to become eligible for removal from OSHPD jurisdiction, the construction project shall be closed with compliance by OSHPD prior to the change in jurisdiction. All occupancy separation, set-back and allowable area requirements shall be enforced.
312A.5.3 Buildings not eligible for change in jurisdiction. The following freestanding buildings shall remain under OSHPD jurisdiction: a. Any building in which basic and/or supplementary services are provided for a general acute care hospital, acute psychiatric hospital and general acute care hospital providing only acute medical rehabilitation center services. b. Any building which provides required patient access, egress or smoke compartment for a Building under OSHPD’s jurisdiction. c. Any building in which services under OSHPD jurisdiction are provided, including skilled nursing services, intermediate care services, acute psychiatric services and distinct part skilled nursing or intermediate care services. d. Any building providing central plant or utility services to a building under OSHPD jurisdiction. e. Any building through which utilities pass through, over or under, to serve a building under OSHPD jurisdiction.
312A.6 Vacated space. Vacated spaces intended to remain vacant while under the jurisdiction of OSHPD shall be subject to the provi- sions of Section 312.3.5.
312A.7 Demolition. Demolition of SPC buildings to be removed from general acute care services shall be permitted when buildings remaining under OSHPD’s jurisdiction, after demolition, satisfy the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and demoli- tion activity does not impair the operation and/or safety of any buildings that remain under the OSHPD’s jurisdiction. Demolition shall be in accordance with California Building Code Section 3303.
SECTION 313A—EARTHQUAKE MONITORING INSTRUMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
313.A.1 Earthquake recording instrumentation of existing buildings. All owners of existing structures, selected by the enforcement agency for the installation of earthquake-recording instruments, shall provide space for the installation and access to such instruments. Location of said instruments shall be determined by the enforcement agency. The enforcement agency shall make arrangements to provide, maintain and service the instruments. Data shall be the property of the enforcement agency, but copies of individual records shall be made available to the public on request and the payment of an appropriate fee.
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CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE
CHAPTER 4 – REPAIRS
(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)
CEBC § 1.10.1 Medium relevance — show source text
**_ 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). Functional service spaces shall comply with the requirements in the California Building Code, Sections 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227 and 1228.
301.1.1 Bleachers, folding and telescopic seating and grandstands. Existing bleachers, folding and telescopic seating and grandstands shall comply with ICC 300.
301.2 Repairs. Repairs shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 4.
301.3 Alteration, addition or change of occupancy. The alteration, addition or change of occupancy of all existing buildings shall comply with one of the methods listed in Section 301.3.1, 301.3.2 or 301.3.3 as selected by the applicant. Sections 301.3.1 through 301.3.3 shall not be applied in combination with each other. [OSHPD 1R, 2, 4 and 5] Sections 301.3.2 and 301.3.3, not adopted by OSHPD.
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
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members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the California Building Code . This exception shall not apply to the following:
Alterations for accessibility required by the California Building Code, Chapter 11A.
Alterations that constitute substantial improvement in flood hazard areas, which shall comply with Sections 503.2, 701.3 or 1303.1.3.
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.
CEBC § 310A.1.1.1.4 Medium relevance — show source text
310A.1.1.1.4 Buildings without SPC/NPC ratings. When services/systems and utilities for new buildings, additions, alter- ations or remodels pass through or under hospital buildings which would not otherwise require evaluation for an SPC rating, such buildings shall be evaluated in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.3, Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code, to determine the appropriate ratings, or shall be shown to meet the structural requirements of these regulations for new hospital buildings. The services/systems and utilities feeding the new building addition, alteration or remodel shall conform with new building provisions of this code and shall be deemed by OSHPD to be free of adverse seismic interactions that could be caused by potential failure of overhead or adjacent components.
310A.1.1.1.5 Buildings removed from acute-care hospital service. Services/systems and utilities for conforming acute care hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass through or under a building that has been removed from acute care hospital service until January 1, 2030, if the building removed from service meets the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.1. Services/systems and utilities for nonconforming nonacute care hospital buildings shall be permitted to pass
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through or under a building that has been removed from acute care hospital service only if the building removed from service meets the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.2.
Exception : Service/system and utilities for acute care hospital buildings may pass through or under the buildings that have been removed from acute care service and which do not meet the performance requirements of Section 310A.1.1.1.1 or Section 310A.1.1.1.2, provided all the following are met:
1. The building removed from acute care service remains under the jurisdiction of OSHPD.
2. The service/system and utilities only support acute care services in SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings, and where no critical
care areas occur.
3. The SPC-1 or SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities meet the nonstructural requirements of NPC-2, as defined in the California Administrative Code, Article 11, Table 11.1 and are served with essential power from a conforming building or source which does not pass through or under a building removed from acute care services.
4. The SPC-2 buildings supported by the service/system and utilities are removed from acute care service no later than January 1, 2026.
310A.1.2 Jurisdiction. Services/systems and utilities shall originate in and only pass through or under buildings that are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).
SECTION 311A—COMPLIANCE ALTERNATIVES FOR MEANS OF EGRESS
311A.1 General. Means of egress through existing buildings shall be in accordance with the California Building Code, except as modified in this section.
311A.1.1 Means of egress. Means of egress shall comply with the requirements of Sections 311A.1.1.1 and 311A.1.1.2.
CEBC § 3-3 Medium relevance — show source text
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members added as part of the alteration shall comply with the California Building Code . This exception shall not apply to the following:
Alterations for accessibility required by the California Building Code, Chapter 11A.
Alterations that constitute substantial improvement in flood hazard areas, which shall comply with Sections 503.2, 701.3 or 1303.1.3.
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.
CEBC § 1.10.1.1 Medium relevance — show source text
Application [OSHPD 1] General acute care hospital buildings. [OSHPD 1R] Nonconforming hospital SPC or freestanding buildings that have been removed from acute care service.
Enforcing agency— Health Care Access and Information/Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD). The office shall enforce the California Energy Commission – Energy Regulations, the Division of the State Architect—Access Compliance regulations, and the regulations of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the above-stated facility types.
1.10.1.1 Applicable administrative standards. 1. Title 24, Part 1, California Code of Regulations: Chapters 6 and 7. 2. Title 24, Part 2, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10, Chapter 1, Division I, and as adopted in Chapter 1, Division II.
3. Title 24, Part 10, California Code of Regulations: Sections 1.1 and 1.10, Chapter 1, Division I, and as adopted in Chapter 1, Division II.
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1.10.1.2 Applicable building standards. California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11.
The provisions of Title 24, Part 10, as adopted and amended by OSHPD, shall apply to the applications listed in Section 1.10.1.
OSHPD 1 adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 10: Chapters 2, 3A, 4A, 5A and 16.
OSHPD 1R adopts the following building standards in Title 24, Part 10: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 16.
1.10.1.3 Identification of amendments. For applications listed in Section 1.10.1, amendments in this code appear in this code preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 1], unless the entire chapter is applicable. For nonconforming hospital buildings removed from acute-care service, amendments are preceded with the acronym [OSHPD 1R].
1.10.1.4 Reference to other chapters. Where reference is made within the California Building Standards Code to sections in Chapters 3, 4 and 5, the respective section in Chapters 3A, 4A and 5A, shall apply instead for hospital buildings under OSHPD 1.
Authority— Health and Safety Code Sections 127010, 127015, 1275 and 129850.
References— Health and Safety Code Sections 19958, 127010, 127015, 129680, 1275 and 129675 through 130070.
1.10.2 OSHPD 2. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.
Application— Skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility buildings.
CEBC § 12-10 Medium relevance — show source text
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SECTION 1213 [HCD 1]—POLLUTANT CONTROL
1213.1 Finish material pollutant control. Finish materials, including adhesives, sealants, caulks, paints and coatings, aerosol paints and coatings, carpet systems, carpet cushion, carpet adhesive, resilient flooring systems and composite wood products shall meet the volatile organic compound (VOC) emission limits in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Chapter 4, Division 4.5.
SECTION 1214—RESERVED
SECTION 1215—RESERVED
SECTION 1216—RESERVED
SECTION 1217—RESERVED
SECTION 1218—RESERVED
SECTION 1219—RESERVED
SECTION 1220—RESERVED
SECTION 1221—RESERVED
SECTION 1222—RESERVED
SECTION 1223—RESERVED
SECTION 1224 [OSHPD 1]—HOSPITALS
1224.1 Scope. [OSHPD 1] The provisions of this section shall apply to general acute-care hospitals and general acute-care hospitals providing only acute medical rehabilitation center services. The provisions of Section 1225 shall apply to distinct part skilled nursing and intermediate-care services on a general acute-care hospital license provided in a separate unit. The provisions of Section 1229 shall apply to distinct part chemical dependency recovery hospitals on a general acute-care license provided in a separate unit.
[OSHPD 1R] This section shall apply to buildings removed from acute care service, in compliance with Part 10, California Existing Build- ing Code, Chapter 3A, and remain under OSHPD jurisdiction.
1224.2 Application. New buildings and additions, alterations or repairs to existing buildings subject to licensure shall comply with appli- cable provisions of the California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Building Code (Parts 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 of Title 24) and this section.
Exceptions:
1. Facilities licensed and in operation prior to the effective date of this section shall not be required to institute corrective alter- ations or construction to comply with any new requirements imposed thereby or subsequently, except where specifically required or where the enforcing agency determines that a definite hazard to health and safety exists. Facilities for which preliminary drawings have been submitted to the enforcing agency prior to the effective date of this change shall not be required to comply with such new requirements, provided working drawings are submitted within one year of the effective date of such new requirements. 2. A change in function shall require compliance with all the functional requirements for new construction in this code, includ- ing requirements in Sections 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227 and 1228. 3. The provisions of this section do not prohibit the use of alternate space utilization, new concepts of design, treatment tech- niques, equipment and alternate finish materials provided the intent of this section is accommodated and written approval _for such alternative is granted by the enforcing agency.
Frequently asked questions
Who must use Chapter 3A instead of Chapter 3?
Any project regulated by OSHPD under Section 1.10.1 (OSHPD 1 applications — general acute care hospitals, etc.) must follow Chapter 3A. See §301A.1.
Can services pass under a non‑OSHPD building if it was once part of the hospital?
No — services/systems must originate in and pass only through buildings under OSHPD jurisdiction, with limited time‑bound exceptions for buildings removed from acute‑care service (see §310A.1.2 and §310A.1.1.1.5).
What happens after January 1, 2030 for egress that passes through removed buildings?
After January 1, 2030, means of egress for acute‑care hospital buildings may pass only through buildings that have approved SPC‑3 or higher and NPC‑5 ratings; the pre‑2030 allowances expire. See §311A.1.1.1.6.
Do repairs to OSHPD buildings follow the same repair chapter as other buildings?
No. Repairs for OSHPD buildings use Chapter 4A, which contains OSHPD‑specific repair rules and limitations; see §401A.1 and related Chapter 4A sections.
How are SPC/NPC requirements demonstrated for an existing hospital?
Chapter 3A references ASCE‑41 acceptance paths and maps those results to SPC/NPC categories; see §304A.3.4.x for ASCE‑41 acceptance criteria used to satisfy SPC requirements.
More in California Existing Building Code
- Administration and Definitions (Scope, enforcement, code official duties, definitions)
- Provisions for All Compliance Methods (general requirements that apply to all compliance options; Chapter 3 / 3A)
- Seismic retrofit and evaluation (Appendix A and seismic provisions/sections for evaluation and retrofit)
- Referenced Standards and Appendices (Chapter 16 and Appendices A–E, Resource A)
- Repairs (Chapter 4 — repair-specific rules for materials, means of egress, structural, MEP, etc.)
- Alterations — Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 (technical requirements for each alteration level; Chapters 7–9)
- Change of Occupancy and Additions (requirements for occupancy changes and additions; Chapters 10–11)
- Compliance Methods — Prescriptive, Work Area, Performance (Chapters 5, 6–11, 13)
- Relocated Buildings (requirements for buildings moved or relocated; Chapter 14)
- Construction Safeguards (site safety, means of egress and life-safety during construction; Chapter 15)
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California Existing Building Code