CHBC · California Historical Building Code

How do state agencies apply the CHBC to state-owned historic properties?

If a state agency owns or acts for a state-owned historic property, it must apply and enforce the California Historical Building Code. For moves, the building must be sited to meet either the regular code or the CHBC relocation provisions; any new nonhistoric construction connected to the move must meet regular-code requirements. State agencies should document decisions and obtain SHBSB review when required.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — plain English

State agencies that own or control a qualified historical building or property must use the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) when permitting repairs, alterations, additions, relocation or continued use. In particular, relocated historic buildings must be sited to comply either with the regular code or with the solutions listed in the CHBC (see § 8-102.1.2). The responsibility for state enforcement of the CHBC is explicit: all state agencies must administer and enforce the CHBC for qualified historic properties under their jurisdiction (see § 8-103.2) .

The short rule: when a state agency works on a state-owned historic property — including moving it — the agency must apply the CHBC (and either follow CHBC siting solutions for a relocation or meet the regular code) and enforce the CHBC for properties under its jurisdiction. See § 8-102.1.2 and § 8-103.2.

Requirements in detail

Who must apply the CHBC

  • State agencies: must apply and enforce the CHBC for qualified historical buildings and properties they own or regulate (bolded on first mention), per § 8-103.2. This is an affirmative duty — not optional — under state CHBC authority and Health & Safety Code cross-reference cited in the CHBC text .
  • Enforcing agency (state or local): the CHBC is the applicable code for qualified historic properties whenever compliance is required; state agencies act as the enforcing agency for state-owned properties in their jurisdiction per § 8-102.1 and § 8-103.1/§ 8-103.2 .

Relocation-specific rule (the controlling dimension)

  • If a qualified historical building or property is relocated, the relocated building must be sited to comply with either:
    • the regular code, or
    • the solutions listed in the CHBC for relocation projects.
      Nonhistorical new construction associated with the relocation must comply with the regular code; reconstruction/restoration related to the relocation may follow CHBC provisions. See § 8-102.1.2 for the full rule .

Decision-relevant dimensions and values (quick reference table)

Decision dimension Key values / tests Code Reference
Who must enforce CHBC for state-owned historic properties All state agencies responsible for the property § 8-103.2
When CHBC applies Any permitting or compliance action for a qualified historical building or property § 8-102.1
Relocation siting requirement Site must comply with regular code or CHBC relocation solutions; new nonhistorical construction follows regular code § 8-102.1.2
Reconstruction/restoration after move Allowed to comply with CHBC provisions § 8-102.1.2
Limits on additional work triggers Work required limited to what’s necessary to complete the undertaken work (exceptions exist) § 8-102.1.6
Required review/appeal route for state agencies Consult / obtain review from the State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB) before actions affecting state historic properties (see Chapter 8-1 references) § 8-104.2.1

Practical steps a state agency must follow (process)

  1. Confirm the property is a qualified historical building or property (designation or eligible register listing). The CHBC only applies to qualified properties.
  2. Treat the agency as the enforcing authority for permitting decisions on that property and apply the CHBC provisions rather than automatically defaulting to regular code. See § 8-103.2 and § 8-102.1.
  3. If the project includes relocation, choose and document whether the relocated building will be sited to meet the regular code or sited under CHBC relocation solutions; ensure any nonhistorical new construction tied to the move complies with the regular code (per § 8-102.1.2) .
  4. For actions that may significantly affect the historic property (including demolition, major reconstruction, or decisions in emergency/imminent threat situations), consult the SHBSB as required (see § 8-104.2.1 and the SHBSB review rules) .

Exceptions & special cases

  • Nonhistorical new construction related to a relocation project is not governed by CHBC alternatives — it must meet the regular code (explicit in § 8-102.1.2) .
  • Work to correct unsafe conditions may be limited to abating the unsafe condition and does not automatically compel upgrading the entire historic property to the regular code — see § 8-102.1.5 (CHBC limits scope to corrective work when unsafe) .
  • The CHBC also states that qualified historic properties shall not be required to do additional regular-code work beyond what is required to complete the work undertaken, except for specified mandated exceptions (for example some accessibility or distinct-hazard mandates). See § 8-102.1.6 .
  • In emergencies (imminent threat to life or safety), state agencies must consult the SHBSB before demolition or irreversible action where feasible — see § 8-104.2.2 and related review procedures .

Common mistakes

  • Treating the CHBC as optional for state-owned properties. The CHBC is mandatory for state agencies with jurisdiction over qualified historical properties (§ 8-103.2) .
  • Assuming relocation frees the property from CHBC protections — relocation changes the siting requirement but does not remove CHBC applicability; the relocated building must be sited to comply with regular code or CHBC solutions (§ 8-102.1.2) .
  • Applying CHBC alternatives to brand-new nonhistorical work tied to a relocation. The CHBC explicitly leaves nonhistorical new construction subject to the regular code (§ 8-102.1.2) .
  • Ignoring required SHBSB consultation for state-agency decisions that affect historic properties. State agencies must obtain SHBSB review where indicated by statute and CHBC procedures (§ 8-104.2.1) .

Worked example — concrete scenario with numbers

Scenario: The State Department of Parks owns a 1905 timber courthouse listed on the California Register. The agency plans to relocate the 8,000 ft² courthouse 0.25 mile to a nearby state park site because of flood risk. The move includes a new concrete foundation and a new 300 ft² elevator shaft (nonhistoric).

Applicable CHBC steps & outcomes:

  1. The agency is the enforcing authority and must apply the CHBC for permitting decisions on the courthouse project (see § 8-103.2) .
  2. For the relocation, the agency must choose: site the building to meet the regular code at the new location (foundation, setbacks, fire-separation as required by the regular code) or use the CHBC relocation solutions for siting and reconstruction/ restoration as allowed by § 8-102.1.2 . If the agency elects CHBC solutions for siting, it documents the alternative solutions used per CHBC guidance.
  3. Any nonhistorical new construction (the new foundation is part of the relocation, but the elevator shaft is new nonhistorical construction) must comply with the regular code; the elevator (300 ft²) must be designed to the regular code’s structural, accessibility and elevator standards regardless of CHBC siting choices (§ 8-102.1.2) .
  4. If the relocation or modifications might adversely affect the building’s historic character, the agency should obtain SHBSB review in advance, per § 8-104.2.1, particularly because this is a state-owned property and the decision affects historic fabric .
  5. If the relocation work only addresses flood-safety and does not create a distinct hazard, the agency need not upgrade the entire building to regular-code new-construction standards — corrective scope can be limited as allowed in § 8-102.1.5/1.6 .

Related provisions (CHBC sections to consult)

  • § 8-102.1 — General application of the CHBC to qualified historical buildings and properties
  • § 8-102.1.5 — Treatment of unsafe buildings / scope of corrective work
  • § 8-102.1.6 — Limits on additional work beyond the scope of the undertaken work; accessibility and distinct-hazard exceptions
  • § 8-104.2.1 — SHBSB review requirement for state agencies and state-owned properties
  • § 8-101.2 / § 8-101.3 — Purpose and intent of the CHBC (preservation-focused, performance-oriented approach)
  • § 8-1002.1 – 8-1003 — Application to sites, districts, and associated historic features beyond building footprints (relevant when relocation affects site elements)

Code references

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

  • 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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    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 § 8-102.1.1 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 § 8-1001 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 § 653-5791 High relevance — show source text

    Option 5 > Option 2 State Housing Law: including Housing Accessibility, Hotels/Motels, Apartments/Condominiums, Dormitories, Single-Family Dwellings, ADUs, Permanent Structures in Mobile Home Parks

    Option 5 > Option 4 Factory-Built Housing Option 5 > Option 5 Employee Housing

    Department of Water Resources [DWR]

    water.ca.gov DWRwebcomment@water.ca.gov

    (916) 653-5791 Plumbing for Recycled Water, Floodplain Construction

    Division of the State Architect

    dgs.ca.gov/DSA (916) 445-8100

    Access Compliance DSAAC 445-5827 DSAaccess@dgs.ca.gov Access for Persons with Disabilities

    Structural Safety [DSA-SS, DSA-SS/CC]

    Public Schools & Community Colleges, State Essential Services Buildings

    State Historical Building Safety Board [SHBSB] (916) 445-7627 shbsb@dgs.ca.gov

    Historical Building Rehabilitation, Preservation, Restoration or Relocation

    Energy Commission [CEC]

    energy.ca.gov Title24@energy.ca.gov (800) 772-3300 Building Energy Efficiency, Compliance Manual & Compliance Forms

    Office of the State Fire Marshal [SFM]

    osfm.fire.ca.gov codedevelopment@fire.ca.gov

    (916) 568-3800 Fire & Life Safety

    State Lands Commission [SLC]

    slc.ca.gov MOTEMS.Public@slc.ca.gov (510) 741-4950 Marine Oil Terminals

    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

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    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.

  • 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 § 18959.5 High relevance — show source text

    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.

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    HISTORICAL PREFACE

    The background of the California Historical Building Code can be traced to December 1973, when the State Department of Parks and Recreation published the California History Plan, Volume I, in which Recommendation No. 11 was proposed by the then California Landmarks Advisory Committee (later to become The State Historical Resources Commission). This proposal expressed a need for a new building code to meet the intent of protecting the public health and safety and also retain “enough flexibility to allow restoration of a Historic feature while still retaining its Historic integrity.” No. 11 of this History Plan supported this need by stating that “. . . restoration . . . is frequently made difficult by unnecessarily rigid interpretation of building . . . codes.” In March of 1974, the Landmarks Committee by resolution recommended that the Director of the State Department of Parks and Recreation and the State Architect initiate a study to develop this needed code. These two officials accepted this concept and jointly called a statewide meeting in Sacramento on May 14th of that year. Attending were representatives from both the public and private sectors, such as members of the building industry, design professions, local and state building officials, and others interested in this problem. Out of this open conference, a steering committee was formed to explore in depth the ways and means of implementing the new historical building code concept. This ad hoc committee was chaired by a representative from the California Council, American Institute of Architects and composed of a comprehensive cross section of the professional organizations and government agencies concerned with design and code enforcement. Meetings began late in 1974 and continued into early 1975. By April of that year, a legislative subcommittee of the ad hoc group drafted a sample bill for the proposed code and requested that it be carried by Senator James R. Mills, President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

  • 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.

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    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 § 8-3 High relevance — show source text

    This shall include historical buildings or properties on, or determined eligible for, national, state or local historical registers or inventories, such as the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources, State Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and city or county registers, inventories or surveys of historical or architecturally significant sites, places or landmarks.

    RECONSTRUCTION. The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features and detailing of a nonsurviving site, landscape, building, property or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time.

    REGULAR CODE. The adopted regulations that govern the design and construction or alteration of nonhistorical buildings and properties within the jurisdiction of the enforcing agency.

    REHABILITATION. The act or process of making possible a compatible use for qualified historical building or property through repair, alterations and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its qualified historical, cultural or architectural values.

    RELOCATION. The act or process of moving any qualified historical building or property or a portion of a qualified historical building or property to a new site, or a different location on the same site.

    REPAIR. Renewal, reconstruction or renovation of any portion of an existing property, site or building for the purpose of its continued use.

    RESTORATION. The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features and character of a qualified building or property as it appeared at a particular period of time by the means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. The limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and other code-required work to make properties functional is appropriate within a restoration project.

    STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed, an edifice or a building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.

    TREATMENT. An act of work to carry out preservation, restoration, stabilization, rehabilitation or reconstruction.

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    8-3 USE AND OCCUPANCY

    SECTION 8-301 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE

    8-301.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the determination of occupancy classifications and conditions of use for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-301.2 Scope. Every qualified historical building or property for which a permit or approval has been requested shall be classified prior to permit issuance according to its use or the character of its occupancy in accordance with the regular code and applicable provisions of this chapter.

    SECTION 8-302 — GENERAL

    8-302.1 Existing use. The use or character of occupancy of a qualified historical building or property, or portion thereof, shall be permitted to continue in use regardless of any period of time in which it may have remained unoccupied or in other uses, provided such building or property otherwise conforms to all applicable requirements of the CHBC.

    8-302.2 Change in occupancy. The use or character of the occupancy of a qualified historical building or property may be changed from or returned to its historical use or character, provided the qualified historical building or property conforms to the requirements applicable to the new use or character of occupancy as set forth in the CHBC. Such change in occupancy shall not mandate conformance with new construction requirements as set forth in regular code.

  • CHBC § 8-1001.1 Medium relevance — show source text

    8-1001.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of associated historical features of qualified historical buildings, properties or districts (as defined in Chapter 8-2), and for which Chapters 8-3 through 8-9 of the CHBC may not apply.

    8-1001.2 Scope. This chapter applies to the associated historical features of qualified historical buildings or properties such as historical districts that are beyond the buildings themselves which include, but are not limited to, natural features and designed site and landscape plans with natural and man-made landscape elements that support their function and aesthetics. This may include, but will not be limited to:

    1. Site plan layout configurations and relationships (pedestrian, equestrian and vehicular site circulation, topographical grades and drainage, and use areas).
    2. Landscape elements (plant materials, site structures other than the qualified historical building, bridges and their associated structures, lighting, water features, art ornamentation, and pedestrian, equestrian and vehicular surfaces).
    3. Functional elements (utility placement, erosion control and environmental mitigation measures).

    SECTION 8-1002 — APPLICATION

    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.

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  • CHBC § 8-3 Medium relevance — show source text

    TREATMENT. An act of work to carry out preservation, restoration, stabilization, rehabilitation or reconstruction.

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    8-3 USE AND OCCUPANCY

    SECTION 8-301 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE

    8-301.1 Purpose. The purpose of the CHBC is to provide regulations for the determination of occupancy classifications and conditions of use for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    8-301.2 Scope. Every qualified historical building or property for which a permit or approval has been requested shall be classified prior to permit issuance according to its use or the character of its occupancy in accordance with the regular code and applicable provisions of this chapter.

    SECTION 8-302 — GENERAL

    8-302.1 Existing use. The use or character of occupancy of a qualified historical building or property, or portion thereof, shall be permitted to continue in use regardless of any period of time in which it may have remained unoccupied or in other uses, provided such building or property otherwise conforms to all applicable requirements of the CHBC.

    8-302.2 Change in occupancy. The use or character of the occupancy of a qualified historical building or property may be changed from or returned to its historical use or character, provided the qualified historical building or property conforms to the requirements applicable to the new use or character of occupancy as set forth in the CHBC. Such change in occupancy shall not mandate conformance with new construction requirements as set forth in regular code.

    8-302.3 Occupancy separations. Required occupancy separations of more than one hour may be reduced to one-hour fire-resistive construction with all openings protected by not less than three-fourths-hour fire-resistive assemblies of the self-closing or automatic-closing type when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout the entire building in accordance with Section 8-410.2. Doors equipped with automatic-closing devices shall be of a type which will function upon activation of a device which responds to products of combustion other than heat.

    Required occupancy separations of one hour may be omitted when the building is provided with an automatic sprinkler system throughout.

    8-302.4 Maximum floor area. Regardless of the use or character of occupancy, the area of a one-story qualified historical building or property may have, but shall not exceed, a floor area of 15,000 square feet (1393.5 m [2] ) unless such an increase is otherwise permitted in regular code. Multistory qualified historical buildings (including basements and cellars) shall be in accordance with regular code requirements.

    Exception: Historical buildings may be unlimited in floor area without fire-resistive area separation walls:

    1. When provided with an automatic sprinkler, or
    2. Residential occupancies of two stories or less when provided with a complete fire alarm and annunciation system and where the exiting system conforms to regular code.

    8-302.5 Maximum height. The maximum height and number of stories of a qualified historical building or property shall not be limited because of construction type, provided such height or number of stories does not exceed that of its historical design.

  • 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.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides whether the CHBC or regular code governs a moved historic building?

The owning/agency enforcing authority decides, but the CHBC requires the relocated building to be sited to meet either the regular code or CHBC relocation solutions; state agencies must follow CHBC enforcement obligations (see § 8-102.1.2 and § 8-103.2) .

Does moving a historic building remove its CHBC protection?

No. Relocation changes siting requirements but CHBC still applies; the relocated building must be sited to the regular code or under CHBC solutions, and reconstruction/restoration can follow CHBC provisions (see § 8-102.1.2) .

Are state agencies required to get SHBSB review before altering a state-owned historic property?

Yes — state agencies must consult and obtain SHBSB review prior to actions affecting state-owned qualified historic properties where specified (see § 8-104.2.1) .

If we only fix an unsafe condition, must we bring the whole historic building up to regular code?

No. When correcting an unsafe building, CHBC permits addressing only the work necessary to correct unsafe conditions without requiring full compliance with the regular code (§ 8-102.1.5) .

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