When can alternative accessibility provisions be used?

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

• CHBC § 8-604 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 11

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

  ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION

  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or characterdefining features of the historical building or property.

  1. Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by- item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the facility.
  3. The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency. Copies of the required documentation should be available at the facility upon request.

  Note: For commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities).

  Equivalent facilitation for an element of a building or property when applied as a waiver of an ADA accessibility requirement will not be entitled to the Federal Department of Justice certification of this code as rebuttable evidence of compliance for that element.

  12 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

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

  8-7 STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS

  SECTION 8-701 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-701.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to the regular code for the structural safety of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

  8-701.2 Intent. The intent of this chapter is to encourage the preservation of qualified historical buildings or structures while providing standards for a minimum level of building performance with the objective of preventing partial or total structural collapse such that the overall risk of life-threatening injury as a result of structural collapse is low.

  8-701.3 Application. The alternative structural regulations provided by Section 8-705 are to be applied in conjunction with the regular code whenever a structural upgrade or reconstruction is undertaken for qualified historical buildings or properties.

  SECTION 8-702 — GENERAL

  8-702.1 The CHBC shall not be construed to allow the enforcing agency to approve or permit a lower level of safety of structural design and construction than that which is reasonably equivalent to the regular code provisions in occupancies which are critical to the safety and welfare of the public at large, including, but not limited to, public and private schools, hospitals, municipal police and fire stations and essential services facilities.

  8-702.2 Nothing in these regulations shall prevent voluntary and partial seismic upgrades when it is demonstrated that such upgrades will improve life safety and when a full upgrade would not otherwise be required.

• CHBC § 8-602 High relevance — show source text

  ** The provisions in the CHBC apply to local, state and federal
  governments (Title II entities); alteration of commercial facilities and places of public
  accommodation (Title III entities); and barrier removal in commercial facilities and places of
  public accommodation (Title III entities). Except as noted in this chapter.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS
  8-602.1 Regular code. The regular code for access for people with disabilities (Title 24, Part
  2, Vol.1, Chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings or properties unless
  strict compliance with the regular code will threaten or destroy the historical significance or
  character-defining features of the building or property.
  **8-602.2 Alternative provisions.**If the historical significance or character-defining features
  are threatened, alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter,
  provided the following conditions are met:
  1.These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or case-by-case basis.
  2.Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating the reasons
  for the application of the alternative provisions. Such documentation shall be retained
  in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |Section 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES
  **8-603.1 Alternative minimum standards.**The alternative minimum standards for alter-
  ations of qualified historical buildings or facilities are referenced in Section 202.5 of the_ 2010_
  ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as incorporated and set forth in federal regulation 28
  CFR Pt. 36.
  **8-603.2 Entry.**These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level land-
  ings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.
  1.Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960
  mm) from the primary entrance.
  2.Access at any entrance not used by general public but open and unlocked with
  directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than
  200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3.The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem,
  remote monitoring may be used.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |**8-603.3 Doors.**Alternatives listed in order of priority are:
  1.Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2.Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 291/2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  3.Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 291/2 inches (749 mm) clear
  opening.
  4.Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 291/2 inches
  (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.
  **Exception:**Alternatives in this section do not apply to alteration of commercial facilities
  and places of public accommodation (Title III entities).|Does not
  apply|Does not
  apply|Applies|

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 25

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

  APPENDIX A

• CHBC § 8-503 High relevance — show source text

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 9

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

  MEANS OF EGRESS

  SECTION 8-503 — ESCAPE OR RESCUE WINDOWS AND DOORS

  Basements in dwelling units and every sleeping room below the fourth floor shall have at least one openable window or door approved for emergency escape which shall open directly into a public street, public way, yard or exit court. Escape or rescue windows or doors shall have a minimum clear area of 3.3 square feet (0.31 m [2] ) and a minimum width or height dimension of 18 inches (457 mm) and be operable from the inside to provide a full, clear opening without the use of special tools.

  SECTION 8-504 — RAILINGS AND GUARDRAILS

  The height of railings and guard railings and the spacing of balusters may continue in their historical height and spacing unless a distinct hazard has been identified or created by a change in use or occupancy.

  10 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

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

  8-6 ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-601 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

  8-601.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to facilitate access and use by persons with disabilities to and throughout facilities designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. These regulations require enforcing agencies to accept alternatives to regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

  8-601.2 Intent. The intent of this chapter is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while providing access to and use by persons with disabilities.

  8-601.3 Scope. The CHBC shall apply to every qualified historical building or property that is required to provide access to persons with disabilities.

  1. Provisions of this chapter do not apply to new construction or reconstruction/replicas of historical buildings.
  2. Where provisions of this chapter apply to alteration of qualified historical buildings or properties, alteration is defined in California Building Code (CBC), Chapter 2.

  8-601.4 General application. The provisions in the CHBC apply to local, state and federal governments (Title II entities); alteration of commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities); and barrier removal in commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities). Except as noted in this chapter.

  SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS

  8-602.1 Regular code. The regular code for access for people with disabilities (Title 24, Part 2, Vol. 1, Chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings or properties unless strict compliance with the regular code will threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the building or property.

  8-602.2 Alternative provisions. If the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened, alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter, provided the following conditions are met:

  1. These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating the reasons for the application of the alternative provisions. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.

  SECTION 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES

• CHBC § 8-6 High relevance — show source text

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

  APPENDIX A	Col2	Col3	Col4
  CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY
  	Title II Public Entities	Title III Private Entities	Title III Barrier Removal
  SECTION 8-601 PURPOSE, INTENT, SCOPE **8-601.1 Purpose.**The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to facilitate access and use by persons with disabilities to and throughout facilities designated as quali- fied historical buildings or properties. These regulations require enforcing agencies to accept alternatives to regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties. **8-601.2 Intent.**The intent of this chapter is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while providing access to and use by persons with disabilities. **8-601.3 Scope.**The CHBC shall apply to every qualified historical building or property that is required to provide access to persons with disabilities. 1.Provisions of this chapter do not apply to new construction or reconstruction/replicas of historical buildings. 2. Where provisions of this chapter apply to alteration of qualified historical buildings or properties, alteration is defined in_ California Building Code_ (CBC), Chapter 2. 8-601.4 General application. The provisions in the CHBC apply to local, state and federal governments (Title II entities); alteration of commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities); and barrier removal in commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities). Except as noted in this chapter.	Applies	Applies	Applies
  SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS 8-602.1 Regular code. The regular code for access for people with disabilities (Title 24, Part 2, Vol.1, Chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings or properties unless strict compliance with the regular code will threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the building or property. **8-602.2 Alternative provisions.**If the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened, alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter, provided the following conditions are met: 1.These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or case-by-case basis. 2.Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating the reasons for the application of the alternative provisions. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.	Applies	Applies	Applies
  Section 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES **8-603.1 Alternative minimum standards.**The alternative minimum standards for alter- ations of qualified historical buildings or facilities are referenced in Section 202.5 of the_ 2010_ ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as incorporated and set forth in federal regulation 28 CFR Pt. 36. **8-603.2 Entry.

• CHBC § 8-601.3 High relevance — show source text

  8-601.3 Scope. The CHBC shall apply to every qualified historical building or property that is required to provide access to persons with disabilities.

  1. Provisions of this chapter do not apply to new construction or reconstruction/replicas of historical buildings.
  2. Where provisions of this chapter apply to alteration of qualified historical buildings or properties, alteration is defined in California Building Code (CBC), Chapter 2.

  8-601.4 General application. The provisions in the CHBC apply to local, state and federal governments (Title II entities); alteration of commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities); and barrier removal in commercial facilities and places of public accommodation (Title III entities). Except as noted in this chapter.

  SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS

  8-602.1 Regular code. The regular code for access for people with disabilities (Title 24, Part 2, Vol. 1, Chapter 11B) shall be applied to qualified historical buildings or properties unless strict compliance with the regular code will threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining features of the building or property.

  8-602.2 Alternative provisions. If the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened, alternative provisions for access may be applied pursuant to this chapter, provided the following conditions are met:

  1. These provisions shall be applied only on an item-by-item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Documentation is provided, including meeting minutes or letters, stating the reasons for the application of the alternative provisions. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.

  SECTION 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES

  8-603.1 Alternative minimum standards. The alternative minimum standards for alterations of qualified historical buildings or facilities are referenced in Section 202.5 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as incorporated and set forth in federal regulation 28 CFR Pt. 36.

  8-603.2 Entry. These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level landings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.

  1. Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from the primary entrance.
  2. Access at any entrance not used by the general public but open and unlocked with directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3. The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem, remote monitoring may be used.

  8-603.3 Doors. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening
  3. Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  4. Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.

  8-603.4 Power-assisted doors. Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces required by the regular code.

  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular code, an accessible unisex toilet facility may be designated.

• CHBC § 8-603.5 High relevance — show source text

  **Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an
  equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces
  required by regular code.
  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular
  code, an accessible unisex toilet may be designated.
  **8-603.6 Exterior and interior ramps and lifts.**Alternatives listed in order of priority are:
  1.A lift or a ramp of greater than standard slope but no greater than 1:10, for horizontal
  distances not to exceed 5 feet (1525 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower
  levels to indicate steepness of the slope.
  2.Access by ramps of 1:6 slope for horizontal distance not to exceed 13 inches (330 mm).
  Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.|Applies|Applies|Applies| |SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION
  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping
  requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in
  Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character-defining
  features of the qualified historical building or property.
  1.Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by-item or case-by-case basis.
  2.Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through
  methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related
  equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will
  provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the
  facility.
  3.The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons
  for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical
  significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance
  with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or
  local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local
  groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the
  permanent file of the enforcing agency. Copies of the required documentation should
  be available at the facility upon request.
  ** Note:**For commercial facilities and places of public accommodation
  (Title III entities).
  Equivalent facilitation for an element of a building or property when applied as a waiver
  of an ADA accessibility requirement will not be entitled to the Federal Department of
  Justice certification of this code as rebuttable evidence of compliance for that element.|Applies|Waivers
  If a builder
  applies for a
  waiver of an ADA
  accessibility
  requirement for
  an element of a
  building, he or
  she will not be
  entitled to
  certification’s
  rebuttable
  evidence of
  compliance for
  that element. This
  limitation on the
  certification
  determination
  should be noted
  in any publication
  of Chapter 8-6 if
  certification is
  granted.|Applies| |**Notes:**The regular code for Chapter 8-6 is contained in Title 24, Part 2, Vol.1, Chapter 11B, which contain standards for new construction.
  Provisions of this chapter may be used in conjunction with all other provisions of the regular code and ADA regulations.

• CHBC § 323-9843 High relevance — show source text

  State Librarian [SL]

  library.ca.gov csllaw@library.ca.gov (916) 323-9843 Public Library Construction & Renovation

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE v

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

  HOW TO DETERMINE WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE

  Symbols in the margins indicate where changes have been made or language has been deleted.

  This symbol indicates that a change has been made.

  • This symbol indicates deletion of language.

  vi 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

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

  PART 8 CONTAINS ALTERNATIVE REGULATIONS

  FOR QUALIFIED HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

  The California Historical Building Code (CHBC) is unique among state regulations. The authoring of the original CHBC required state agencies promulgating regulations for building construction to work in harmony with representatives of other design and construction disciplines. The result was a totally new approach to building codes for historical structures, which maintains currently acceptable life safety standards. These regulations are also unique in that they are performance oriented rather than prescriptive. The provisions of the CHBC are to be applied by the enforcing authority of every city, county, city and county, or state agency in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, rehabilitation, relocation, related construction, change of use or continued use of a qualified historical building. The authority for use of the CHBC is vested in Sections 18950 through 18961 of the Health and Safety Code. Section 18954 states, “The building department of every city or county or other local agency that has jurisdiction over the enforcement of code within its legal authority shall apply the alternative standards and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 18959.5 in permitting repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, safety, moving, or continued use of a qualified historical building or structure. A state agency shall apply the alternative regulations adopted pursuant to Section 18959.5 in permitting repairs, alterations, and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, safety, moving, or continued use of a qualified historical building or structure.” However, be aware that in order to use the CHBC, the structure under consideration must be qualified by being designated as an historical building or structure. Section 18955 states, “For the purposes of this part, a qualified historical building or structure is any structure or property, collection of structures, and their related sites deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or state governmental jurisdiction. This shall include historical buildings or structures on existing or future national, state or local historical registers or official inventories, such as the National Register of Historic Places, State Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and city or county registers or inventories of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks. This shall also include places, locations, or sites identified on these historical registers or official inventories and deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or state governmental jurisdiction.” The regulations of the CHBC have the same authority as state law and are to be considered as such. Liability is the same as for prevailing law. The intent of the CHBC is to save California’s architectural heritage by recognizing the unique construction problems inherent in historical buildings and by providing a code to deal with these problems.

• CHBC § 8-603.2 High relevance — show source text

  8-603.2 Entry. These alternatives do not allow exceptions for the requirement of level landings in front of doors, except as provided in Section 8-603.4.

  1. Access to any entrance used by the general public and no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from the primary entrance.
  2. Access at any entrance not used by the general public but open and unlocked with directional signs at the primary entrance and as close as possible to, but no further than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from, the primary entrance.
  3. The accessible entrance shall have a notification system. Where security is a problem, remote monitoring may be used.

  8-603.3 Doors. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 30 inches (762 mm) of clear opening.
  2. Single-leaf door which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening
  3. Double door, one leaf of which provides a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening.
  4. Double doors operable with a power-assist device to provide a minimum 29 [1] / 2 inches (749 mm) clear opening when both doors are in the open position.

  8-603.4 Power-assisted doors. Power-assisted door or doors may be considered an equivalent alternative to level landings, strikeside clearance and door-opening forces required by the regular code.

  8-603.5 Toilet rooms. In lieu of separate-gender toilet facilities as required in the regular code, an accessible unisex toilet facility may be designated.

  8-603.6 Exterior and interior ramps and lifts. Alternatives listed in order of priority are:

  1. A lift or a ramp of greater than standard slope but no greater than 1:10, for horizontal distances not to exceed 5 feet (1525 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.
  2. Access by ramps of 1:6 slope for horizontal distance not to exceed 13 inches (330 mm). Signs shall be posted at upper and lower levels to indicate steepness of the slope.

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 11

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

  ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-604 — EQUIVALENT FACILITATION

  Use of other designs and technologies, or deviation from particular technical and scoping requirements, are permitted if the application of the alternative provisions contained in Section 8-603 would threaten or destroy the historical significance or characterdefining features of the historical building or property.

  1. Such alternatives shall be applied only on an item-by- item or a case-by-case basis.
  2. Access provided by experiences, services, functions, materials and resources through methods including, but not limited to, maps, plans, videos, virtual reality and related equipment, at accessible levels. The alternative design and/or technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater accessibility to, and usability of, the facility.
  3. The official charged with the enforcement of the standards shall document the reasons for the application of the design and/or technologies and their effect on the historical significance or character-defining features. Such documentation shall be in accordance with Section 8-602.2, Item 2, and shall include the opinion and comments of state or local accessibility officials, and the opinion and comments of representative local groups of people with disabilities. Such documentation shall be retained in the permanent file of the enforcing agency.
• CHBC § 8-1002.1 High relevance — show source text

  8-1002.1 The CHBC shall apply to all sites and districts and their features associated with qualified historical buildings or qualified historical districts as outlined in 8-1001.2 Scope.

  8-1002.2 Where the application of regular code may impact the associated features of qualified historical properties beyond their footprints, by work performed secondarily, those impacts shall also be covered by the CHBC.

  8-1002.3 This chapter shall be applied for all issues regarding code compliance or other standard or regulation as they affect the purpose of this chapter.

  8-1002.4 The application of any code or building standard shall not unduly restrict the use of a qualified historical building or property that is otherwise permitted pursuant to Chapter 8-3 and the intent of the State Historical Building Code, Section 18956.

  SECTION 8-1003 — SITE RELATIONS

  The relationship between a building or property and its site, or the associated features of a district (including qualified historical landscape), site, objects and their features are critical components that may be one of the criteria for these buildings and properties to be qualified under the CHBC. The CHBC recognizes the importance of these relationships. This chapter shall be used to provide context sensitive solutions for treatment of qualified historical buildings, properties, district or their associated historical features, or when work to be performed secondarily impacts the associated historical features of a qualified historical building or property.

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE 23

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

  24 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

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

  APPENDIX A	Col2	Col3	Col4
  CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY	CHAPTER 8-6—TABLE 1—PROVISION APPLICABILITY
  	Title II Public Entities	Title III Private Entities	Title III Barrier Removal
  SECTION 8-601 PURPOSE, INTENT, SCOPE **8-601.1 Purpose.**The purpose of the CHBC is to provide alternative regulations to facilitate access and use by persons with disabilities to and throughout facilities designated as quali- fied historical buildings or properties. These regulations require enforcing agencies to accept alternatives to regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties. **8-601.2 Intent.**The intent of this chapter is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings and properties while providing access to and use by persons with disabilities. **8-601.3 Scope.**The CHBC shall apply to every qualified historical building or property that is required to provide access to persons with disabilities. 1.Provisions of this chapter do not apply to new construction or reconstruction/replicas of historical buildings. 2. Where provisions of this chapter apply to alteration of qualified historical buildings or properties, alteration is defined in_ California Building Code_ (CBC), Chapter 2. **8-601.4 General application.

• CHBC § 8-104.2 Medium relevance — show source text

  8-104.2 SHBSB review. When a proposed design, material or method of construction is being considered by the enforcing agency, the agency chief, the building official or the local board of appeals may file a written request for opinion to the SHBSB for its consideration, advice or findings. In considering such request, the SHBSB may seek the advice of other appropriate private or public boards, individuals, or state or local agencies. The SHBSB shall, after considering all of the facts presented, including any recommendation of other appropriate boards, agencies or other parties, determine if, for the purpose intended, the proposal is reasonably equivalent to that allowed by these regulations in proposed design, material or method of construction, and it shall transmit such findings and its decision to the enforcing agency for its application. The Board may recover the costs of such reviews and shall report the decision in printed form, copied to the California Building Standards Commission.

  8-104.2.1 State agencies. All state agencies with ownership of, or that act on behalf of state agency owners of, qualified historical buildings or properties, shall consult and obtain SHBSB review prior to taking action or making decisions or appeals that affect qualified historical buildings or properties, per Section 18961 of the Health and Safety Code.

  8-104.2.2 Imminent threat. Where an emergency is declared and a qualified historical building or property is declared an imminent threat to life and safety, the state agency assessing such a threat shall consult with the SHBSB before any demolition is undertaken, per Section 18961 of the Health and Safety Code.

  8-104.3 SHBC appeals. If any local agency administering and enforcing the CHBC or any person adversely affected by any regulation, rule, omission, interpretation, decision or practice of the agency enforcing the CHBC wishes to appeal the issue for resolution to the SHBSB, either of these parties may appeal directly to the Board. The Board may accept the appeal only if it determines that issues involved are of statewide significance. The Board may recover the costs of such reviews and shall make available copies of decisions in printed form at cost, copied to the California Building Standards Commission.

  8-104.4 Local agency fees. Local agencies, when actively involved in the appeal, may also charge affected persons reasonable fees not to exceed the cost of obtaining reviews and appeals from the Board.

  SECTION 8-105 — CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

  8-105.1 Repairs. Repairs to any portion of a qualified historical building or property may be made in-kind with historical materials and the use of original or existing historical methods of construction, subject to conditions of the CHBC. (See Chapter 8-8.)

  8-105.2 Solutions to the California Historical Building Code . Solutions provided in the CHBC, or any other acceptable regulation or methodology of design or construction and used in whole or in part, with the regular code, or with any combination of the regular code and the CHBC, shall be allowed. The CHBC does not preclude the use of any proposed alternative or method of design or construction not specifically prescribed or otherwise allowed by these regulations. Any alternative may be submitted for evaluation to the appropriate enforcing agency for review and acceptance. The enforcing agency may request that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding such solutions. Any alternative offered in lieu of that prescribed or allowed in the CHBC shall be reasonably equivalent in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety to that of the CHBC.

• CHBC § 8-6 Medium relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER 8-6 ACCESSIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  Section

  8-601 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-602 Basic Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-603 Alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

  8-604 Equivalent Facilitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

  CHAPTER 8-7 STRUCTURAL REGULATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  Section

  8-701 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-702 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  8-703 Structural Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-704 Nonhistorical Additions and

  Nonhistorical Alterations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

  8-705 Structural Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 8-706 Lateral Load Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

  CHAPTER 8-8 ARCHAIC MATERIALS AND METHODS OF

  CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

  Section

  8-801 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-802 General Engineering Approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-803 Nonstructural Archaic Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

  8-804 Allowable Conditions for Specific Materials . . . . . . . 15 8-805 Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8-806 Adobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

  8-807 Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

  8-808 Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

• CHBC § 8-104.4 Medium relevance — show source text

  8-104.4 Local agency fees. Local agencies, when actively involved in the appeal, may also charge affected persons reasonable fees not to exceed the cost of obtaining reviews and appeals from the Board.

  SECTION 8-105 — CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

  8-105.1 Repairs. Repairs to any portion of a qualified historical building or property may be made in-kind with historical materials and the use of original or existing historical methods of construction, subject to conditions of the CHBC. (See Chapter 8-8.)

  8-105.2 Solutions to the California Historical Building Code . Solutions provided in the CHBC, or any other acceptable regulation or methodology of design or construction and used in whole or in part, with the regular code, or with any combination of the regular code and the CHBC, shall be allowed. The CHBC does not preclude the use of any proposed alternative or method of design or construction not specifically prescribed or otherwise allowed by these regulations. Any alternative may be submitted for evaluation to the appropriate enforcing agency for review and acceptance. The enforcing agency may request that sufficient evidence or proof be submitted to substantiate any claims that may be made regarding such solutions. Any alternative offered in lieu of that prescribed or allowed in the CHBC shall be reasonably equivalent in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety to that of the CHBC.

  SECTION 8-106 — SHBSB RULINGS

  8-106.1 General. Rulings of the SHBSB (i.e., formal appeals, case decisions, code interpretations and administrative resolutions, etc.) that are issues of statewide application are required to be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission in printed form. These rulings may be used to provide guidance for similar cases or issues.

  2 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE

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

  8-2 DEFINITIONS

  SECTION 8-201 — DEFINITIONS

  For the purpose of the CHBC, certain terms and phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this chapter. Additional definitions and/or terms may appear in the various other chapters relative to terms or phrases primarily applicable thereto. Any reference to “authority having jurisdiction” does not necessarily preclude the appellate process of Section 8-104.3.

  ADDITION. A nonhistorical extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or property.

  ALTERATION. A modification to a qualified historical building or property that affects the usability of the building or property, or part thereof. Alterations include, but are not limited to, remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, historical restoration, changes or rearrangement of the structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangements in the plan configuration of walls and full-height partitions.

  BUILDING STANDARD. Any guideline, regulation or code that may be applied to a qualified historical building or property.

  CHARACTER-DEFINING FEATURE. Those visual aspects and physical elements that comprise the appearance of a historical building or property, and that are significant to its historical, architectural and cultural values, including the overall shape of the historical building or property, its materials, craftsmanship, decorative details, interior spaces and features, as well as the various aspects of its site and environment.

  CULTURAL RESOURCE. Building, site, property, object or district evaluated as having significance in prehistory or history.