CHBC · California Historical Building Code

What are the enforcing agency’s responsibilities under the CHBC?

If you own or are altering a designated historic building, the local or state building department is required to use the CHBC to permit repairs and changes; for accessibility they must apply the regular accessibility code unless doing so would threaten or destroy the building’s historic character, in which case documented CHBC alternatives may be used.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

The enforcing agency must administer and enforce the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) when permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for preservation, restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a qualified historical building or property — this is the agency’s primary duty under § 8-103.1.
All state agencies have the same mandatory obligation to apply and enforce the CHBC for qualified historical properties under their jurisdiction per § 8-103.2.
For accessibility, the regular code (Title 24, Part 2, Chapter 11B) is to be applied to qualified historical buildings unless strict compliance would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character‑defining features (see § 8-602.1).

The single most important rule: the enforcing agency must use the CHBC to permit work on qualified historical buildings (state and local), and for accessibility it must apply the regular code only until strict compliance would threaten historic significance.

Requirements in detail

1) Core enforcement duty (who does what)

  • Duty: Administer and enforce the CHBC for permitting preservation‑related repairs, alterations and additions. § 8-103.1 (local/state enforcing agency).
  • State agencies: Must administer and enforce the CHBC for qualified historical buildings under their jurisdiction. § 8-103.2.

2) How accessibility fits (what to apply)

  • Default: apply the regular code for access (Title 24, Part 2, Ch. 11B). § 8-602.1.
  • Exception trigger: only where strict compliance with the regular code would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character‑defining features — then CHBC alternatives may be used. § 8-602.1.

3) Decision factors the enforcing agency must consider

  • Whether the work is: repair, alteration, addition, relocation, reconstruction, rehabilitation or continued use (these are the work types named in § 8-103.1).
  • Whether the property is a qualified historical building or property (CHBC applies only to qualified historical buildings — see CHBC definitions and application language; related reference below).
  • For accessibility exceptions, whether strict compliance would threaten or destroy historical significance or character‑defining features (the statutory threshold in § 8-602.1).

Quick decision table (decision‑relevant dimensions)

Decision question Possible values / threshold Agency action Code Reference
Is the property a qualified historical building or property? Yes / No If Yes, CHBC applies when owner elects or state agency acts; if No, use regular code § 8-103.1
Who has enforcement responsibility? Local enforcing agency / State agency Enforce CHBC in permitting preservation work § 8-103.1, § 8-103.2
Type of work Repair, alteration, addition, relocation, reconstruction, rehabilitation, continued use Permit under CHBC where applicable § 8-103.1
Accessibility standard to apply Strict compliance would or would not threaten historic significance Apply regular code unless strict compliance would threaten/destroy historical significance (then alternatives under CHBC) § 8-602.1

Exceptions & special cases

  • State agencies cannot opt out: § 8-103.2 makes state‑level enforcement mandatory for state‑owned or state‑jurisdiction properties.
  • Accessibility alternatives: § 8-602.1 permits applying CHBC alternatives only when strict compliance with the regular accessibility code would threaten or destroy historical significance. The CHBC also contains procedural language about item‑by‑item evaluation and required documentation for alternatives (see § 8-602.2) — agencies should follow those documentation steps when invoking an alternative.
  • If the retrieved CHBC text you asked me to ground in does not explicitly list every procedural step (for example, how to document the “threaten or destroy” finding in full detail), that level of procedural detail is not present in the specific sections you required; use § 8-602.2 and other CHBC guidance for documentation practice where available.

Common mistakes

  • Treating CHBC as optional for state agencies — incorrect: § 8-103.2 requires state agencies to administer and enforce the CHBC for qualified historical properties.
  • Automatically applying the CHBC for every historic building issue without checking whether the owner elected CHBC use or whether the work falls into the CHBC scope named in § 8-103.1.
  • Failing to evaluate accessibility requirements under § 8-602.1: agencies sometimes either (a) force strict 11B compliance even when it would destroy character‑defining features, or (b) too casually waive accessibility without documenting why strict compliance threatens the resource. The statute requires applying the regular code unless strict compliance would threaten or destroy the historic significance — and documentation is required when alternatives are used.

Worked example — concrete scenario with numbers

Scenario: A city building department is reviewing a permit for a 1920s theater (a qualified historical building) where the owner proposes a front‑entry accessibility ramp. The regular accessibility code (not reproduced here) would require a ramp slope of 1:12 and a 36‑inch clear width, which would require cutting and permanently removing a decorative historic tile‑mosaic riser across the full 12‑foot wide façade opening.

Step 1 — CHBC applicability: The enforcing agency must administer the CHBC for the permit because the work is an alteration to a qualified historical building — § 8-103.1.
Step 2 — Accessibility test: The agency must start from the regular code for access but determine whether strict compliance would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character‑defining features (the mosaic riser). This is the threshold in § 8-602.1.
Step 3 — Finding and alternatives: If the agency concludes that cutting away the 12‑ft wide historic mosaic riser (i.e., removal of a character‑defining feature) would destroy the building’s significance, the agency may accept an alternative solution under the CHBC — for example: (a) install an interior platform lift (2.5 ft × 6 ft footprint) at a side entrance, or (b) provide an accessible programmatic alternative (accessible seating, services) — provided the agency documents the reasons for using the alternative as required by the CHBC procedures (see the alternative/documentation language related to § 8-602.x).

Note: the CHBC text establishes the decision rule and documentation expectation; specific ramp dimensions and 11B technical requirements are in the regular accessibility code (Title 24, Part 2) and are not reproduced in the controlling CHBC sections cited here. If you want the exact 11B numeric requirements to compare side‑by‑side, I can pull those next.

Related provisions

  • § 8-101.2 — CHBC purpose: CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept reasonably equivalent solutions (supporting context).
  • § 8-102.1 — Application: outlines when CHBC is to be applied by state or local enforcing agencies.
  • § 8-602.2 — Alternative provisions and documentation (case‑by‑case / documentation retained in enforcing agency file).
  • § 8-104.2 — State Historical Building Safety Board review and appeals (agency may request SHBSB opinion on equivalence).

Code references

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

  • CHBC § 8-102.1.6 High relevance — show source text

    8-102.1.6 Additional work. Qualified historical buildings or properties shall not be subject to additional work required by the regular code, regulation or ordinance beyond that required to complete the work undertaken. Certain exceptions for accessibility and for distinct hazards exist by mandate and may require specific action, within the parameters of the CHBC.

    SECTION 8-103 — ORGANIZATION AND ENFORCEMENT

    8-103.1 Authority. The state or local enforcing agency, pursuant to authority provided under Section 18954 of the Health and Safety Code, shall administer and enforce the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a qualified historical building or property.

    8-103.2 State enforcement. All state agencies pursuant to authority provided under Section 18954 and Section 18961 of the Health and Safety Code shall administer and enforce the CHBC with respect to qualified historical buildings or properties under their respective jurisdiction.

    8-103.3 Liability. Prevailing law regarding immunity of building officials is unaffected by the use and enforcement of the CHBC.

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    ADMINISTRATION

    SECTION 8-104 — REVIEW AND APPEALS

    8-104.1 State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB or Board). In order to provide for interpretation of the provisions of the CHBC and to hear appeals, the SHBSB shall act as an appeal and review body to state and local agencies or any affected party.

    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.

  • CHBC § 8-102.1.1 High relevance — show source text
    1. State agencies. All state agencies shall apply the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, safety, relocation, reconstruction or continued use of qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-102.1.1 Additions, alterations and repairs. It is the intent of the CHBC to allow nonhistorical expansion or addition to a qualified historical building or property, provided nonhistorical additions shall conform to the requirements of the regular code (as defined in Chapter 8-2).

    8-102.1.2 Relocation. Relocated qualified historical buildings or properties shall be sited to comply with the regular code or with the solutions listed in the CHBC. Nonhistorical new construction related to relocation shall comply with the regular code. Reconstruction and restoration related to relocation is permitted to comply with the provisions in the CHBC.

    8-102.1.3 Change of occupancy. For change of use or occupancy, see Chapter 8-3, Use and Occupancy.

    8-102.1.4 Continued use. Qualified historical buildings or properties may have their existing use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy conformed to the code or to the standards of construction in effect at the time of construction, and such use or occupancy does not constitute a distinct hazard to life safety as defined in the CHBC.

    8-102.1.5 Unsafe buildings or properties. When a qualified historical building or property is determined to be unsafe as defined in the regular code, the requirements of the CHBC are applicable to the work necessary to correct the unsafe conditions. Work to remediate the buildings or properties need only address the correction of the unsafe conditions, and it shall not be required to bring the entire qualified historical building or property into compliance with regular code.

    8-102.1.6 Additional work. Qualified historical buildings or properties shall not be subject to additional work required by the regular code, regulation or ordinance beyond that required to complete the work undertaken. Certain exceptions for accessibility and for distinct hazards exist by mandate and may require specific action, within the parameters of the CHBC.

    SECTION 8-103 — ORGANIZATION AND ENFORCEMENT

    8-103.1 Authority. The state or local enforcing agency, pursuant to authority provided under Section 18954 of the Health and Safety Code, shall administer and enforce the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a qualified historical building or property.

    8-103.2 State enforcement. All state agencies pursuant to authority provided under Section 18954 and Section 18961 of the Health and Safety Code shall administer and enforce the CHBC with respect to qualified historical buildings or properties under their respective jurisdiction.

    8-103.3 Liability. Prevailing law regarding immunity of building officials is unaffected by the use and enforcement of the CHBC.

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    ADMINISTRATION

    SECTION 8-104 — REVIEW AND APPEALS

    8-104.1 State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB or Board). In order to provide for interpretation of the provisions of the CHBC and to hear appeals, the SHBSB shall act as an appeal and review body to state and local agencies or any affected party.

    **8-104.2 SHBSB review.

  • CHBC § 8-101.1 High relevance — show source text

    8-101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Historical Building Code and will be referred to herein as “the CHBC.”

    8-101.2 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation or reconstruction of buildings or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties (as defined in Chapter 8-2). The CHBC is intended to provide solutions for the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties, to promote sustainability, to provide access for persons with disabilities, to provide a cost-effective approach to preservation, and to provide for the reasonable safety of the occupants or users. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept solutions that are reasonably equivalent to the regular code (as defined in Chapter 8-2) when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-101.3 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to facilitate the preservation and continuing use of qualified historical buildings or properties while providing reasonable safety for the building occupants and access for persons with disabilities.

    SECTION 8-102 — APPLICATION

    8-102.1 Application. The CHBC is applicable to all issues regarding code compliance for qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC may be used in conjunction with the regular code to provide solutions to facilitate the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC shall be used by any agency with jurisdiction and whenever compliance with the code is required for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    1. State or local enforcing agency. The state or local enforcing agency shall apply the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a qualified historical building or property when so elected by the private property owner.
    2. State agencies. All state agencies shall apply the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, safety, relocation, reconstruction or continued use of qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-102.1.1 Additions, alterations and repairs. It is the intent of the CHBC to allow nonhistorical expansion or addition to a qualified historical building or property, provided nonhistorical additions shall conform to the requirements of the regular code (as defined in Chapter 8-2).

    8-102.1.2 Relocation. Relocated qualified historical buildings or properties shall be sited to comply with the regular code or with the solutions listed in the CHBC. Nonhistorical new construction related to relocation shall comply with the regular code. Reconstruction and restoration related to relocation is permitted to comply with the provisions in the CHBC.

    8-102.1.3 Change of occupancy. For change of use or occupancy, see Chapter 8-3, Use and Occupancy.

    8-102.1.4 Continued use. Qualified historical buildings or properties may have their existing use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy conformed to the code or to the standards of construction in effect at the time of construction, and such use or occupancy does not constitute a distinct hazard to life safety as defined in the CHBC.

    8-102.1.5 Unsafe buildings or properties. When a qualified historical building or property is determined to be unsafe as defined in the regular code, the requirements of the CHBC are applicable to the work necessary to correct the unsafe conditions. Work to remediate the buildings or properties need only address the correction of the unsafe conditions, and it shall not be required to bring the entire qualified historical building or property into compliance with regular code.

  • 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

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    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.

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    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 § 1.2.3.2 High relevance — show source text

    1.2.3.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the building official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test meth- ods, the building official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for retention of public records.

    SECTION 1.3—BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

    1.3.1 Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.

    Application— Local detention facilities.

    Enforcing agency— Board of State and Community Corrections.

    Authority cited— Penal Code Section 6030; Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 207.1, 210 and 885.

    Reference— Penal Code Section 6030; Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 207.1, 210 and 885.

    1.3.2 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym BSCC.

    SECTION 1.4—DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

    1.4.1 Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated. 1. Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

    Application— Any establishment or mobile unit where barbering, cosmetology or electrolysis is being performed.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 7312.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 7303, 7303.1, 7312 and 7313.

    2. Acupuncture Board.

    Application— Acupuncture offices.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 4933.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 4928, 4928.1 and 4933.

    3. Board of Pharmacy.

    Application— Pharmacies.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 4005.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 4005, 4127.7 and 4201.

    4. Veterinary Medical Board.

    Application— Veterinary facilities.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

  • CHBC § 8-9 High relevance — show source text

    Bolt spacing shall not
    exceed 6 feet (1830 mm) on center and shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm) on center.
    6. Other masonry based on tests or other substantiated data.
    7. Embedded bolts to be tested as specified in regular code standards.
    8. Stresses given may be increased for combinations of loads as specified in the regular code.
    9. Adhesives shall be approved by the enforcing agency and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. All drilling dust shall be removed from drilled
    holes prior to installation.|

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    8-9 MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

    SECTION 8-901 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

    8-901.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonable equivalent solutions to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-901.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while providing a reasonable level of protection from fire, health and life safety hazards (hereinafter referred to as safety hazards) for the building occupants.

    8-901.3 Scope. The CHBC shall be applied in conjunction with the regular code whenever compliance with the regular code is required for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-901.4 Safety hazard. No person shall permit any safety hazard to exist on premises under their control, or fail to take immediate action to abate such hazard. Existing systems which constitute a safety hazard when operational may remain in place, provided they are completely and permanently rendered inoperative. Safety hazards created by inoperative systems shall not be permitted to exist. Requirements of the regular code concerning general regulations shall be complied with, except that the enforcing agency shall accept solutions which do not cause a safety hazard.

    8-901.5 Energy conservation. Qualified historical buildings or properties covered by this part are exempted from compliance with energy conservation standards. When new nonhistorical lighting and space conditioning system components, devices, appliances and equipment are installed, they shall comply with the requirements of Title 24, Part 6, The California Energy Code, except where the historical significance or character-defining features are threatened.

    SECTION 8-902 — MECHANICAL

    8-902.1 General. Mechanical systems shall comply with the regular code unless otherwise modified by this chapter.

    8-902.1.1 The provisions of the CHBC shall apply to the acceptance, location, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, replacement or addition of any heating, ventilating, air conditioning, domestic incinerators, kilns or miscellaneous heat-producing appliances or equipment within or attached to a historical building.

    8-902.1.2 Existing systems which do not, in the opinion of the enforcing agency, constitute a safety hazard may remain in use.

    8-902.1.3 The enforcing agency may approve any alternative to the CHBC which would achieve equivalent life safety.

    8-902.2 Heating facilities. All dwelling-type occupancies covered under this chapter shall be provided with heating facilities. Woodburning or pellet stoves or fireplaces may be acceptable as heating facilities.

  • CHBC § 8-801 High relevance — show source text

    SECTION 8-801 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

    8-801.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the use of historical methods and materials of construction that are at variance with regular code requirements or are not otherwise codified, in buildings or structures designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC require enforcing agencies to accept any reasonably equivalent alternatives to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-801.2 Intent. It is the intent of the CHBC to provide for the use of historical methods and materials of construction that are at variance with specific code requirements or are not otherwise codified.

    8-801.3 Scope. Any construction type or material that is, or was, part of the historical fabric of a structure is covered by this chapter. Archaic materials and methods of construction present in a historical structure may remain or be reinstalled or be installed with new materials of the same class to match existing conditions.

    SECTION 8-802 — GENERAL ENGINEERING APPROACHES

    Strength values for archaic materials shall be assigned based upon similar conventional codified materials, or on tests as hereinafter indicated. The archaic materials and methods of construction shall be thoroughly investigated for their details of construction in accordance with Section 8-703. Testing shall be performed when applicable to evaluate existing conditions. The architect or structural engineer in responsible charge of the project shall assign allowable stresses or strength levels to archaic materials. Such assigned strength values shall not be greater than those provided for in the following sections without adequate testing, and shall be subject to the concurrence of the enforcing agency.

    SECTION 8-803 — NONSTRUCTURAL ARCHAIC MATERIALS

    Where nonstructural historical materials exist in uses which do not meet the requirements of the regular code, their continued use is allowed by this code, provided that any public health and life safety hazards are mitigated subject to the concurrence of the enforcing agency.

    SECTION 8-804 — ALLOWABLE CONDITIONS FOR SPECIFIC MATERIALS

    Archaic materials which exist and are to remain in qualified historical buildings or structures shall be evaluated for their condition and for loads required by this code. The structural survey required in Section 8-703 of the CHBC shall document existing conditions, reinforcement, anchorage, deterioration and other factors pertinent to establishing allowable stresses, strength levels and adequacy of the archaic materials. The remaining portion of this chapter provides additional specific requirements for commonly encountered archaic materials.

    SECTION 8-805 — MASONRY

    For adobe, see Section 8-806.

    8-805.1 Existing solid masonry. Existing solid masonry walls of any type, except adobe, may be allowed, without testing, a maximum ultimate strength of 9 pounds per square inch (62.1 kPa) in shear where there is a qualifying statement by the architect or engineer that an inspection has been made, that mortar joints are filled and that both brick and mortar are reasonably good. The shear stress above applies to unreinforced masonry, except adobe, where the maximum ratio of unsupported height or length to thickness does not exceed 13, and where minimum quality mortar is used or exists. Wall height or length is measured to supporting or resisting elements that are at least twice as stiff as the tributary wall. Stiffness is based on the gross section. Shear stress may be increased by the addition of 10 percent of the axial direct stress due to the weight of the wall directly above.

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

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    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.

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    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 § 8-104.2 High 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 § 8-1001 High relevance — show source text

    Section

    8-1001 Purpose and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 8-1002 Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 8-1003 Site Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

    APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

    HISTORY NOTE APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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    8-1 ADMINISTRATION

    Note: The California Historical Building Code, Part 8 of Title 24, governs for all qualified historical buildings or properties in the State of California.

    SECTION 8-101 — TITLE, PURPOSE AND INTENT

    8-101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Historical Building Code and will be referred to herein as “the CHBC.”

    8-101.2 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation or reconstruction of buildings or properties designated as qualified historical buildings or properties (as defined in Chapter 8-2). The CHBC is intended to provide solutions for the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties, to promote sustainability, to provide access for persons with disabilities, to provide a cost-effective approach to preservation, and to provide for the reasonable safety of the occupants or users. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept solutions that are reasonably equivalent to the regular code (as defined in Chapter 8-2) when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-101.3 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to facilitate the preservation and continuing use of qualified historical buildings or properties while providing reasonable safety for the building occupants and access for persons with disabilities.

    SECTION 8-102 — APPLICATION

    8-102.1 Application. The CHBC is applicable to all issues regarding code compliance for qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC may be used in conjunction with the regular code to provide solutions to facilitate the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC shall be used by any agency with jurisdiction and whenever compliance with the code is required for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    1. State or local enforcing agency. The state or local enforcing agency shall apply the provisions of the CHBC in permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, relocation or continued use of a qualified historical building or property when so elected by the private property owner.
    2. **State agencies.
  • CHBC § 7303.1 High relevance — show source text

    Application— Any establishment or mobile unit where barbering, cosmetology or electrolysis is being performed.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 7312.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 7303, 7303.1, 7312 and 7313.

    2. Acupuncture Board.

    Application— Acupuncture offices.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 4933.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 4928, 4928.1 and 4933.

    3. Board of Pharmacy.

    Application— Pharmacies.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 4005.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 4005, 4127.7 and 4201.

    4. Veterinary Medical Board.

    Application— Veterinary facilities.

    Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 4808.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 4800, 4800.1, 4808 and 4809.5.

    5. Structural Pest Control Board.

    Application— Structural pest control locations.

    Enforcing agency— Structural Pest Control Board.

    Authority cited— Business and Professions Code Section 8525.

    Reference— Business and Professions Code Sections 8520, 8520.1 and 8525.

    1.4.2 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym CA.

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    ADMINISTRATION

    SECTION 1.5—RESERVED

    SECTION 1.6—DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

    1.6.1 Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated.

    Application— Dairies and places of meat and poultry inspection.

    Enforcing agency— Department of Food and Agriculture.

    Authority cited— Food and Agricultural Code Sections 18735, 18960, 19384, 33481 and 33731.

    Reference— Food and Agricultural Code Sections 18735, 18960, 19384, 33481 and 33731.

    1.6.2 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym AGR.

  • CHBC § 12.7 Medium relevance — show source text

    Values are for strength level loads as defined in regular code standards.
    2. Values may be adjusted for other fasteners when approved by the enforcing authority.
    3. In addition to existing sheathing value.
    4. Bolts to be1/2-inch (12.7 mm) minimum diameter.
    5. Other bolt sizes, values and installation methods may be used provided a testing program is conducted in accordance with regular code standards. Bolt spacing shall not
    exceed 6 feet (1830 mm) on center and shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm) on center.
    6. Other masonry based on tests or other substantiated data.
    7. Embedded bolts to be tested as specified in regular code standards.
    8. Stresses given may be increased for combinations of loads as specified in the regular code.
    9. Adhesives shall be approved by the enforcing agency and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. All drilling dust shall be removed from drilled
    holes prior to installation.|1. Values are for strength level loads as defined in regular code standards.
    2. Values may be adjusted for other fasteners when approved by the enforcing authority.
    3. In addition to existing sheathing value.
    4. Bolts to be1/2-inch (12.7 mm) minimum diameter.
    5. Other bolt sizes, values and installation methods may be used provided a testing program is conducted in accordance with regular code standards. Bolt spacing shall not
    exceed 6 feet (1830 mm) on center and shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm) on center.
    6. Other masonry based on tests or other substantiated data.
    7. Embedded bolts to be tested as specified in regular code standards.
    8. Stresses given may be increased for combinations of loads as specified in the regular code.
    9. Adhesives shall be approved by the enforcing agency and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. All drilling dust shall be removed from drilled
    holes prior to installation.|

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    8-9 MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

    SECTION 8-901 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

    8-901.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems of buildings designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC requires enforcing agencies to accept any reasonable equivalent solutions to the regular code when dealing with qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-901.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while providing a reasonable level of protection from fire, health and life safety hazards (hereinafter referred to as safety hazards) for the building occupants.

    8-901.3 Scope. The CHBC shall be applied in conjunction with the regular code whenever compliance with the regular code is required for qualified historical buildings or properties.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the “enforcing agency” under the CHBC?

The enforcing agency is the state or local agency charged with building code enforcement that has jurisdiction over the property; state agencies have the same mandatory duties under § 8-103.2.

Must a local building department always use the CHBC for historic buildings?

The local enforcing agency must administer and enforce the CHBC when permitting preservation‑related repairs, alterations or additions for qualified historical buildings; the CHBC applies when the building is qualified and the work is within the CHBC scope listed in § 8-103.1.

How does an agency decide whether to apply the regular accessibility code or CHBC alternatives?

Start by applying the regular accessibility code (Title 24 Part 2). Only if strict compliance would threaten or destroy the historical significance or character‑defining features should CHBC alternatives be used — this is the threshold in § 8-602.1; document the decision per CHBC guidance.

Do state agencies have to follow the same process as local agencies?

Yes. § 8-103.2 requires all state agencies to administer and enforce the CHBC for qualified historical buildings under their jurisdiction.

What documentation should the enforcing agency keep if it uses an alternative for accessibility?

The CHBC requires item‑by‑item/case‑by‑case application of alternatives and retention of documentation (meeting minutes, letters, reasons) in the enforcing agency’s permanent file when alternatives are applied; see § 8-602.2 for that practice.

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