CEBC · California Existing Building Code
Repair, damage assessment, and earthquake-damage retrofit rules
This hub summarizes CEBC repair, damage‑assessment, and earthquake‑retrofit rules, highlighting §301 administration, §405 repair/evaluation rules, and §§317–323 seismic retrofit requirements.
Last reviewed: July 6, 2026
Overview
This part of the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) sets the baseline rules for repairing damaged buildings, performing post‑damage evaluations, and requiring seismic retrofits when a building no longer meets required performance objectives. Administration and applicability for repairs, alterations and relocations start in Section §301, which frames when the CEBC repair and retrofit provisions apply.
For earthquake‑related damage the code requires professional evaluation and, where indicated, retrofit to achieve specified seismic performance levels. Section §405 (Repairs to damaged buildings) explains the repair thresholds and the requirement that a registered design professional evaluate substantial structural damage (§405.2.3.1) and the retrofit/repair outcomes (§405.2.3.2–.3).
State and large public buildings follow the systematic evaluation and retrofit procedures in §§317–323 (ASCE 41–based performance requirements and Methods A/B) and the CEBC Appendix guidance (for example A401 for vulnerable wood‑frame residential buildings). These provisions set when retrofit is mandatory (see §317.6) and outline accepted compliance methods.
In this section
Code references
Grounded in the retrieved California Existing Building Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:
CEBC § 405.2.1 High relevance — show source text
[BS] 405.2.1 Repairs for less than substantial structural damage. Unless otherwise required by this section, for damage less than substantial structural damage, the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.
[BS] 405.2.1.1 Snow damage. Structural components whose damage was caused by or related to snow load effects shall be repaired, replaced or altered to satisfy the requirements of Section 1608 of the California Building Code .
[BS] 405.2.2 Disproportionate earthquake damage. A building assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F that has sustained disproportionate earthquake damage shall be subject to the requirements for buildings with substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system.
[BS] 405.2.3 Substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system. A building that has sustained substantial structural damage to the vertical elements of its lateral force-resisting system shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 405.2.3.1, and either repaired in accordance with Section 405.2.3.2 or repaired and retrofitted in accordance with Section 405.2.3.3, depending on the results of the evaluation.
Exceptions:
- Buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category A, B or C whose substantial structural damage was not caused by earthquake need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 4-3
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
�
�
�
REPAIRS
- One- and two-family dwellings need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
[BS] 405.2.3.1 Evaluation. The building shall be evaluated by a registered design professional, and the evaluation findings shall be submitted to the code official. The evaluation shall establish whether the lateral force-resisting system of the damaged building, including its foundation, if repaired to its predamage state, would comply with the provisions of the California Build- ing Code for load combinations that include wind effects, and with Section 304.3.2 of this code.
[BS] 405.2.3.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings. If the evaluation establishes that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.
[BS] 405.2.3.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings. If the evaluation does not establish that the lateral force-resisting system of the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the lateral forceresisting system, and its foundation, shall be retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section. The wind loads for the repair and retrofit shall be those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be in accordance with the California Building Code . The seismic retrofit shall comply with Section 304.3.2 of this code, but the earthquake loads shall not be less than those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction.
CEBC § 405.2.3.1 High relevance — show source text
�
�
�
REPAIRS
- One- and two-family dwellings need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
[BS] 405.2.3.1 Evaluation. The building shall be evaluated by a registered design professional, and the evaluation findings shall be submitted to the code official. The evaluation shall establish whether the lateral force-resisting system of the damaged building, including its foundation, if repaired to its predamage state, would comply with the provisions of the California Build- ing Code for load combinations that include wind effects, and with Section 304.3.2 of this code.
[BS] 405.2.3.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings. If the evaluation establishes that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.
[BS] 405.2.3.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings. If the evaluation does not establish that the lateral force-resisting system of the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the lateral forceresisting system, and its foundation, shall be retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section. The wind loads for the repair and retrofit shall be those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be in accordance with the California Building Code . The seismic retrofit shall comply with Section 304.3.2 of this code, but the earthquake loads shall not be less than those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction.
[BS] 405.2.4 Substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components. Gravity load-carrying components that have sustained substantial structural damage shall be retrofitted to comply with the applicable provisions for dead, live and snow loads in the California Building Code . Undamaged gravity load-carrying components, including undamaged foundation components, that receive dead, live or snow loads from retrofitted components shall also be retrofitted if required to comply with these design loads.
[BS] 405.2.4.1 Lateral force-resisting elements. Regardless of the level of damage to vertical elements of the lateral forceresisting system, if substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components was caused primarily by wind or seismic effects, then the building shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 405.2.3.1 and, if noncompliant, retrofitted in accordance with Section 405.2.3.3.
Exceptions:
- Buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category A, B or C whose substantial structural damage was not caused by earthquake need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
- One- and two-family dwellings need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
[BS] 405.2.5 Substantial structural damage to snow load-carrying components. Where substantial structural damage to any snow load-carrying components is caused by or related to snow load effects, any components required to carry snow loads on roof framing of similar construction shall be repaired, replaced or retrofitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 1608 of the California Building Code .
CEBC § 2.3.2 High relevance — show source text
405 A .2.3.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings. If the evaluation establishes that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.
405 A .2.3.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings. If the evaluation does not establish that the lateral force-resisting system of the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the lateral forceresisting system, and its foundation, shall be retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section. The wind loads for the repair and retrofit shall be those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be in accordance with the California Building Code . The earthquake loads shall not be less than those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction but not less than 75 percent of those prescribed in California Building Code Section 1613A. Alternatively, where the earthquake damage has not resulted in disproportionate earthquake damage or did not result in collapse, the retrofit shall be permitted to be performed in accordance with Section 304A.3.4.4 for SPC-2 buildings, Section 304A.3.4.5 for SPC-3, SPC-4D and SPC-4 buildings and Section 304A.3.4.6 for SPC-5 buildings. For SPC-5 buildings, the seismic hazard shall be permitted to be reduced to BSE-1E and BSE-2E. Use of Section 304A.3.4.5 to rehabilitate SPC-3, SPC-4D and SPC-4 buildings will result in re-classification of the building to SPC-4D. Noncompliant SPC-4 buildings may be rehabilitated to SPC-5 in accordance with Section 304A.3.4.6 using the reduced seismic hazard. New structural members and connections required by this rehabilitation design shall comply with the detailing provisions of this code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
405 A .2.4 Substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components. Gravity load-carrying components that have sustained substantial structural damage shall be retrofitted to comply with the applicable provisions for dead, live and snow loads in the California Building Code . Undamaged gravity load-carrying components, including undamaged foundation components, that receive dead, live or snow loads from retrofitted components shall also be retrofitted if required to comply with these design loads. New structural members and connections required by this rehabilitation design shall comply with the detailing provi- sions of this code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose and location.
405 A .2.4.1 Lateral force-resisting elements. Regardless of the level of damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system, if substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components was caused primarily by wind or seismic effects, then the building shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 405 A .2.3.1 and, if noncompliant, retrofitted in accordance with Section 405 A .2.3.3.
Exceptions:
CEBC § 317.2 High relevance — show source text
317.2 Scope. All alterations, structurally connected additions and/or repairs to existing structures or portions thereof shall, at a minimum, be designed and constructed to resist the effects of seismic ground motions as provided in this section. The structural system shall be evaluated by a registered design professional and, if not meeting or exceeding the minimum seismic design performance requirements of this section, shall be retrofitted in compliance with these requirements.
Exception: Those structures for which Section 317.3 determines that assessment is not required, or for which Section 317.4 determines that retrofit is not needed, then only the requirements of Section 317.11 apply.
317.3 Applicability.
317.3.1 Existing state-owned buildings. [BSC, DSA-SS] For existing state-owned structures including all buildings owned by the University of California and the California State University, the requirements of Section 317 apply whenever the structure is to be retrofitted, repaired or modified and any of the following apply: 1. Total construction cost, not including cost of furnishings, fixtures and equipment, or normal maintenance, for the building exceeds 25 percent of the construction cost for the replacement of the existing building. The changes are cumulative for past modifications to the building that occurred after adoption of the 1995 California Building Code and did not require seismic retrofit.
3-16 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
2. There are changes in risk category. 3. The modification to the structural components increases the seismic forces in or strength requirements of any structural component of the existing structure by more than 10 percent cumulative since the original construction, unless the component has the capacity to resist the increased forces determined in accordance with Section 319. If the building’s seismic base shear capacity has been increased since the original construction, the percent change in base shear may be calculated relative to the increased value.
4. Structural elements need repair where the damage has reduced the lateral-load-resisting capacity of the structural system by more than 10 percent. 5. Changes in live or dead load increase story shear by more than 10 percent.
317.3.2 Public school buildings. [DSA-SS] For public schools, the provisions of Section 317 apply when required in accordance with Sections 4-307 and 4-309(c) of the California Administrative Code.
317.3.3 Community college buildings. [DSA-SS/CC] For community colleges, the provisions of Section 317 apply when required in accordance with Sections 4-307 and 4-309(c) of the California Administrative Code.
317.4 Evaluation required. If the criteria in Section 317.3 apply to the project under consideration, the design professional of record shall provide an evaluation in accordance with Section 317 to determine the seismic performance of the building in its current configuration and condition. If the structure's seismic performance as required by Section 317.5 is evaluated as satisfactory and the peer reviewer(s), when Method B of Section 321 is used, concur, then no structural retrofit is required.
_**317.5 Minimum seismic design performance levels for structural and nonstructural components.
CEBC § 2.2 High relevance — show source text
405 A .2.2 Disproportionate earthquake damage. A building assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F that has sustained disproportionate earthquake damage shall be subject to the requirements for buildings with substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system.
405 A .2.3 Substantial structural damage to vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system. A building that has sustained substantial structural damage to the vertical elements of its lateral force-resisting system shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 405 A .2.3.1, and either repaired in accordance with Section 405 A .2.3.2 or repaired and retrofitted in accordance with Section 405 A .2.3.3, depending on the results of the evaluation.
405 A .2.3.1 Evaluation. The building shall be evaluated by a registered design professional, and the evaluation findings shall be submitted to the building official. The evaluation shall establish whether the lateral force-resisting system of the damaged building, including its foundation, if repaired to its predamage state, would comply with the provisions of the California Build- ing Code for load combinations that include wind and earthquake effects. Earthquake loads for this evaluation, if required, shall
2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE 4A-3
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
�
REPAIRS
be permitted to be 75 percent of those prescribed in California Building Code Section 1613A. Alternatively, where the earthquake damage has not resulted in disproportionate earthquake damage or did not result in collapse, the earthquake load evaluation shall be permitted to be performed in accordance with Section 304A.3.4.4 for SPC-2 buildings and Section 304A.3.4.5 for buildings rated SPC-3, SPC-4D and SPC-4. SPC-5 buildings shall be permitted to be evaluated in accordance with Section 304A.3.4.6, except that the seismic hazard shall be permitted to be reduced to BSE-1E and BSE-2E.
405 A .2.3.2 Extent of repair for compliant buildings. If the evaluation establishes that the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the damaged elements shall be permitted to be restored to their predamage condition.
405 A .2.3.3 Extent of repair for noncompliant buildings. If the evaluation does not establish that the lateral force-resisting system of the building in its predamage condition complies with the provisions of Section 405.2.3.1, then the lateral forceresisting system, and its foundation, shall be retrofitted to comply with the provisions of this section. The wind loads for the repair and retrofit shall be those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction, unless the damage was caused by wind, in which case the wind loads shall be in accordance with the California Building Code . The earthquake loads shall not be less than those required by the building code in effect at the time of original construction but not less than 75 _percent of those prescribed in California Building Code Section 1613A.
CEBC § 319.8. High relevance — show source text
unless it can be demonstrated that_ reduced capacity meets the requirements of Section 319.8. 2. The lateral loading to or strength requirement of existing structural components is not increased beyond their capacity. 3. New structural components are detailed and connected to the existing structural components as required by the California Building Code. 4. New or relocated nonstructural components are detailed and connected to existing or new structural components as required by the California Building Code. 5. A dangerous condition is not created.
Use of ASCE 41 Tier 1 and Tier 2 deficiency only retrofit procedures are pre-approved for use where Section 317.3 does not require an
assessment.
319.12.1 State-owned buildings. [BSC] Voluntary modifications to lateral force-resisting systems conducted in accordance with Appendix A of this code and the referenced standards of the California Building Code shall be permitted.
319.12.1.1 Design documents. [BSC] When Section 319.12 is the basis for structural modifications, the approved design documents must clearly state the scope of the seismic modifications and the accepted criteria for the design. The approved design documents must clearly have the phrase “The seismic requirements of the California Existing Building Code have not been checked to determine if these structural modifications meet the full seismic evaluation and strengthening requirements of Sections 317-322: the modifications proposed are to a different seismic performance standard than would be required in Section 319 if they were not voluntary as allowed in Section 319.12.”
3-20 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
319.12.2 Public schools and community colleges. [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC] When Section 319.12 is the basis for structural modifications, the approved design documents must clearly indicate the scope of modifications and the acceptance criteria for the design.
SECTION 320 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD A
320.1 General. The retrofit design shall employ the Linear Static or Linear Dynamic Procedures of ASCE 41, Section 7.4.1 or 7.4.2, and comply with the applicable general requirements of ASCE 41, Chapters 6 and 7. The earthquake hazard level and performance level given specified in Section 317.5 for the building’s risk category shall be used. Structures shall be designed for seismic forces coming from any horizontal direction.
SECTION 321 [BSC, DSA-SS & DSA-SS/CC]—METHOD B
321.1 The existing or retrofitted structure shall be demonstrated to have the capability to sustain the deformation response due to the specified earthquake ground motions and meet the seismic performance requirements of Section 317. The registered design professional shall provide an evaluation of the response of the existing structure in its modified configuration and condition to the ground motions specified. If the building’s seismic performance is evaluated as satisfactory and the peer reviewer(s) and the enforcement agency concurs, then no further structural retrofit and/or repair of the lateral load-resisting system is required.
CEBC § 317.1.2.1 High relevance — show source text
The provisions of Section 317 through 323 also establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for rehabilitation of existing public buildings currently under the jurisdiction of DSA-SS.
317.1.2.1 Reference to other chapters. For public schools, where reference within this chapter is made to sections in Chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 or 22 of the California Building Code, the provisions in Chapters 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A, 21A and 22A of the California Building Code, respectively, shall apply instead.
317.1.3 Community college buildings. [DSA-SS/CC] The provisions of Sections 317 through 323 establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for the rehabilitation of existing buildings for use as community college buildings under the jurisdiction of the Division of the State Architect—Structural Safety/Community Colleges [DSA-SS/CC], refer to Section 1.9.2.2.
The provisions of Section 317 through 323 also establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for rehabilitation of existing community college buildings currently under the jurisdiction of DSA-SS/CC.
317.1.3.1 Reference to other chapters. For community colleges, where reference within this chapter is made to sections in Chapters 17 or 18 of the California Building Code, the provisions in Chapters 17A and 18A of the California Building Code, respectively, shall apply instead.
317.2 Scope. All alterations, structurally connected additions and/or repairs to existing structures or portions thereof shall, at a minimum, be designed and constructed to resist the effects of seismic ground motions as provided in this section. The structural system shall be evaluated by a registered design professional and, if not meeting or exceeding the minimum seismic design performance requirements of this section, shall be retrofitted in compliance with these requirements.
Exception: Those structures for which Section 317.3 determines that assessment is not required, or for which Section 317.4 determines that retrofit is not needed, then only the requirements of Section 317.11 apply.
317.3 Applicability.
317.3.1 Existing state-owned buildings. [BSC, DSA-SS] For existing state-owned structures including all buildings owned by the University of California and the California State University, the requirements of Section 317 apply whenever the structure is to be retrofitted, repaired or modified and any of the following apply: 1. Total construction cost, not including cost of furnishings, fixtures and equipment, or normal maintenance, for the building exceeds 25 percent of the construction cost for the replacement of the existing building. The changes are cumulative for past modifications to the building that occurred after adoption of the 1995 California Building Code and did not require seismic retrofit.
3-16 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.
PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
CEBC § 1.9.2.1. High relevance — show source text
State-owned and state-leased essential services buildings are subject to the regulatory authority of DSA-SS per Section 1.9.2.1._|1. ASCE 41 provides acceptance criteria (e.g., m-factor, rotation) for Immediate Occupancy (S1), Life Safety (S3) and Collapse Prevention (S5), and specifies in Table 2-1 the method
to interpolate values for S-2 and S-4. When evaluating for the Hazards Reduced Nonstructural Performance Level, the requirements need not be greater than what would be
required by ASCE 7 nonstructural provisions for new construction.
2. Buildings evaluated and retrofitted to meet the structural and nonstructural requirements for a new building as given in the California Building Code as adopted by DSA or BSC, as
applicable, are deemed to meet the seismic performance requirements of this section.
3. Buildings complying with the requirements of the exception in Section 319.1 are deemed to meet the seismic performance requirements of this section.
4. State-owned and state-leased essential services buildings are subject to the regulatory authority of DSA-SS per Section 1.9.2.1.|1. ASCE 41 provides acceptance criteria (e.g., m-factor, rotation) for Immediate Occupancy (S1), Life Safety (S3) and Collapse Prevention (S5), and specifies in Table 2-1 the method
to interpolate values for S-2 and S-4. When evaluating for the Hazards Reduced Nonstructural Performance Level, the requirements need not be greater than what would be
required by ASCE 7 nonstructural provisions for new construction.
2. Buildings evaluated and retrofitted to meet the structural and nonstructural requirements for a new building as given in the California Building Code as adopted by DSA or BSC, as
applicable, are deemed to meet the seismic performance requirements of this section.
3. Buildings complying with the requirements of the exception in Section 319.1 are deemed to meet the seismic performance requirements of this section.
4. State-owned and state-leased essential services buildings are subject to the regulatory authority of DSA-SS per Section 1.9.2.1.|317.6 Retrofit required. Where the evaluation indicates the building does not meet the required performance objectives of this section, the owner shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the building’s structural system is retrofitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 317. Appropriate steps are either: 1) undertake the seismic retrofit as part of the additions, alterations and/or repairs of the structure; or 2) provide a plan, acceptable to the building official, to complete the seismic retrofit in a timely manner. The relocation or moving of an existing building is considered to be an alteration requiring filing of the plans and specifications approved by the building official.
317.7 The additions, alteration or repair to any existing building are permitted to be prepared in accordance with the structural and nonstructural requirements for a new building as given in the California Building Code, applied to the entire building.
317.8 The requirements of ASCE 41 Chapters 14 and 15 are to apply to the use of seismic isolation and passive energy systems, respectively, for the repair, voluntary lateral-force-resisting system modification or retrofit of an existing structure. When seismic isolation or passive energy dissipation is used, the project must have project peer review as prescribed in Section 322.
CEBC § 405.2.4 Medium relevance — show source text
[BS] 405.2.4 Substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components. Gravity load-carrying components that have sustained substantial structural damage shall be retrofitted to comply with the applicable provisions for dead, live and snow loads in the California Building Code . Undamaged gravity load-carrying components, including undamaged foundation components, that receive dead, live or snow loads from retrofitted components shall also be retrofitted if required to comply with these design loads.
[BS] 405.2.4.1 Lateral force-resisting elements. Regardless of the level of damage to vertical elements of the lateral forceresisting system, if substantial structural damage to gravity load-carrying components was caused primarily by wind or seismic effects, then the building shall be evaluated in accordance with Section 405.2.3.1 and, if noncompliant, retrofitted in accordance with Section 405.2.3.3.
Exceptions:
- Buildings assigned to Seismic Design Category A, B or C whose substantial structural damage was not caused by earthquake need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
- One- and two-family dwellings need not be evaluated or retrofitted for load combinations that include earthquake effects.
[BS] 405.2.5 Substantial structural damage to snow load-carrying components. Where substantial structural damage to any snow load-carrying components is caused by or related to snow load effects, any components required to carry snow loads on roof framing of similar construction shall be repaired, replaced or retrofitted to satisfy the requirements of Section 1608 of the California Building Code .
[BS] 405.2.6 Flood hazard areas. In flood hazard areas, buildings that have sustained substantial damage shall be brought into compliance with Section 1612 of the California Building Code or Section R306 of the California Residential Code, as applicable.
SECTION 406—ELECTRICAL
[OSHPD 1R, 2, 4 & 5] Not adopted by OSHPD. Existing electrical wiring and equipment undergoing repair shall be in accordance with Title 24 Part 3 California Electrical Code (CEC).
406.1 General. Repairs to existing electrical wiring and equipment shall be in accordance with the California Electrical Code.
406.1.1 Reconditioned electrical equipment. Reconditioned electrical equipment shall comply with the California Electrical Code . Electrical equipment prohibited from being reconditioned by the applicable sections of the California Electrical Code shall not be reconditioned unless permitted by NFPA 99.
406.1.2 Health care facilities. Portions of electrical systems being repaired in Group I-2, ambulatory care facilities and outpatient clinics shall comply with NFPA 99 requirements for repairs.
SECTION 407—MECHANICAL
407.1 General. Existing mechanical systems undergoing repair shall not make the building less complying than it was before the damaged occurred. [HCD 1, HCD 2 & BSC] Existing mechanical systems undergoing repair shall comply with the California Mechanical Code.
SECTION 408—PLUMBING
408.1 Materials. Plumbing materials and supplies shall not be used for repairs that are prohibited in the California Plumbing Code .
CEBC § 301.1 Medium relevance — show source text
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. [DSA-SS/CC] The provisions of Sections 317 through 323 establish minimum standards for earthquake evaluation and design for the rehabilitation of existing buildings for use as community college buildings under the jurisdiction of the Division of the State Architect—Structural Safety/Community Colleges (DSA-SS/CC, refer to Section 1.9.2.2) 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 community college buildings currently under the jurisdiction of DSA-SS/CC. 4. [HCD 1] In addition to the requirements in this chapter, maintenance, alteration, repair, addition or change of occupancy to existing buildings and accessory structures under the authority of the Department of Housing and Community Development, as provided in Section 1.8.2.1.1, shall comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1.
Exceptions: 1. [HCD 2] For moved buildings and maintenance, alteration, repair, addition or change of occupancy to existing buildings and accessory structures in mobilehome parks or special occupancy parks as provided in Section 1.8.2.1.3, see California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Division 1, Chapters 2 and 2.2. 2. [HCD 1] Limited-density owner-built rural dwellings, as defined in Chapter 2 of the California Residential Code. _**5.
CEBC § 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.
CEBC § 7.12 Medium relevance — show source text
SECTION 303 A — RESERVED
SECTION 304 A —STRUCTURAL DESIGN LOADS AND EVALUATION AND DESIGN PROCEDURES
304 A .1 Live loads. Where an addition or alteration does not result in increased design live load, existing gravity load-carrying structural elements shall be permitted to be evaluated and designed for live loads approved prior to the addition or alteration. If the approved live load is less than that required by Section 1607 A of the California Building Code, the area designated for the nonconforming live load shall be posted with placards of approved design indicating the approved live load. Where the addition or alteration results in increased design live load, the live load required by Section 1607 A of the California Building Code shall be used.
304 A .2 Snow loads on adjacent buildings. Where an alteration or addition changes the potential snow drift effects on an adjacent building, the code official is authorized to enforce Section 7.12 of ASCE 7.
304 A .3 Additions, alterations, repairs and seismic retrofit to existing buildings or structures.
304 A .3.1 Structures designed in accordance with pre-1973 building code. Provisions of this section shall apply to hospital build- ings which were originally designed to pre-1973 building codes and not designated as SPC 3 or higher in accordance with Chapter 6 of the California Administrative Code.
304A.3.1.1 Incidental and minor structural alteration, additions, or repairs. Incidental and minor structural additions shall be permitted, provided the additions meet the California Building Code for new construction using importance factor, I e , equal to or greater than 1.0. Alterations or repair to existing gravity and lateral force-resisting systems shall be made to conform to the requirements of Section 503A or Chapter 4A, respectively, using importance factor, I e , equal to or greater than 1.0. 1. Nonstructural components. Component importance factor, I p , shall be permitted to be 1.0.
Exception: Components required for life-safety purposes after an earthquake, including emergency and standby power systems, mechanical smoke removal systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, fire alarm control panels and egress stairways shall have a component importance factor (I p ) of 1.5.
304A.3.1.2 Major structural alteration, additions or repairs. Major structural alterations, additions or repairs shall be in accor- dance with Section 304A.3.4.1 or 304A.3.4.3 as applicable.
304A.3.2 Seismic evaluation and retrofit of general acute care hospitals for compliance with the California Administrative Code, Chapter 6. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this code, existing general acute care hospitals shall comply with the seismic evaluation requirements specified in Chapter 6, of the California Administrative Code, when applicable. Seismic retrofit to comply with requirements specified in Chapter 6 of the California Administrative Code shall be permitted to be in accordance with these provisions. When load combinations which do not include seismic forces are required, the new building provisions of this code shall be applicable.
Frequently asked questions
When does the CEBC require a seismic retrofit after damage?
If an evaluation shows the building does not meet the performance objectives in Chapter 317, the owner must ensure the building is retrofitted in accordance with §317.6; similarly, a building with substantial structural damage to its lateral system must be evaluated and, if noncompliant, retrofitted per §405.2.3.3.
Who must perform the post‑damage evaluation?
The code requires the building be evaluated by a registered design professional and the findings submitted to the code official (see §405.2.3.1); Chapter 317 also directs the design professional of record to provide required seismic evaluations when its criteria apply.
What is “substantial damage,” and when can repairs restore the predamage condition?
“Substantial damage” is defined for code purposes (for example flood/substantial‑damage thresholds) and repair rules distinguish less‑than‑substantial damage from substantial damage; for damage less than substantial structural damage the code generally permits restoring elements to their predamage condition (§405.2.1). If damage is substantial, evaluation and possible retrofit requirements apply.
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)
Ask about the CEBC
Get cited, plain-English answers on the California Existing Building Code for your project — any code section, any scenario.
Start Free TrialRelated in the CEBC
Evaluation requirements and performance objectives
Selecting seismic criteria and compliance methods (Method A / Method B / Appendix A)
Retrofit design procedures, ASCE 41 modifications, and Appendix A guidance
Seismic retrofit and evaluation (Appendix A and seismic provisions/sections for evaluation and retrofit)
California Existing Building Code