CHBC · California Historical Building Code

Which registers or official listings qualify a property for the CHBC?

If your property is listed on—or officially determined eligible for—a national, state, or local historic register or inventory it meets the CHBC definition of a qualified historical building or property; for private projects the owner must elect the CHBC for it to apply, while state agencies must apply the CHBC for qualifying properties.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2–4 sentences

A property qualifies as a Qualified Historical Building or Property for the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) if it is designated as historic by an appropriate jurisdiction — including properties on, or determined eligible for, national, state or local historical registers or official inventories. This definition is set out in § 8-201. To use the CHBC for a private property the owner must elect it; state agencies must apply the CHBC when dealing with qualified properties. § 8-201 and § 8-102.1 are the controlling provisions.

If a building/property is listed on (or found eligible for) a national, state or local historic register or official inventory, it qualifies for the CHBC — and a private owner must choose (elect) to use the CHBC for their work to be regulated under it.

Requirements in detail

Core definition

  • Qualified Historical Building or Property — as used by the CHBC, this term includes buildings, sites, objects, places, locations, districts or collections of structures that are “deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state or federal governmental jurisdiction.” The definition explicitly includes properties on, or determined eligible for, national, state or local historical registers or inventories. See § 8-201.

Who applies the CHBC

  • Private property owners: the local or state enforcing agency shall apply the CHBC for repairs, alterations and additions to a qualified property when so elected by the private property owner. See § 8-102.1, item 1.
  • State agencies: all state agencies shall apply the CHBC for qualified properties under their jurisdiction (no owner election required). See § 8-102.1, item 2.

Decision-relevant summary table

Decision factor What qualifies / required value Code Reference
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places Qualifies (explicitly listed as an example of qualifying register) § 8-201
Listed on the California Register of Historical Resources Qualifies (explicit example) § 8-201
State Historical Landmarks or State Points of Historical Interest Qualify (explicit examples) § 8-201
City or county registers, inventories or surveys of historical/architecturally significant sites Qualify (explicitly included) § 8-201
Properties determined eligible for listing (by SHPO/Keeper or local equivalent) Qualify (the CHBC text expressly includes “determined eligible for”) § 8-201
Private-owner election For private properties, CHBC applies to work only when elected by the private property owner § 8-102.1, item 1
State agency projects State agencies shall apply the CHBC to qualified properties under their jurisdiction § 8-102.1, item 2
Use alongside regular code for additions Nonhistorical additions are permitted but must conform to the regular code (CHBC may be used in conjunction) § 8-102.1.1

Exceptions & special cases

  • Owner election: A private owner must elect use of the CHBC; if they do not elect it, the regular code will govern. § 8-102.1 (item 1) explains the owner-election requirement.
  • State agency projects: State agencies do not need an owner election — they must apply the CHBC for qualified properties under state jurisdiction. § 8-102.1, item 2.
  • Additions and nonhistorical work: The CHBC permits the use of the code in conjunction with the regular code; nonhistorical additions to a qualified historical building must meet the regular code. See § 8-102.1.1.
  • Unsafe buildings: If a qualified historical building is found unsafe, CHBC governs the remediation work needed to correct the unsafe condition without forcing full compliance with the regular code for the entire property. See § 8-102.1.5.
  • Additional work beyond the scope of the project: The CHBC states qualified properties shall not be required to undergo additional work under regular code beyond what is necessary to complete the specific work undertaken, subject to limited accessibility and distinct-hazard mandates. See § 8-102.1.6.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming any “old” building automatically qualifies. The CHBC requires designation or determination of eligibility by an appropriate governmental jurisdiction — mere age alone does not automatically qualify unless the appropriate designation/eligibility exists. See § 8-201.
  • Forgetting the private-owner election: Owners sometimes assume CHBC applies automatically for locally listed properties; for private projects the owner must elect the CHBC for that work to be governed under CHBC. See § 8-102.1.
  • Treating CHBC as a blanket exemption: The CHBC is an alternative set of regulations — it does not waive life-safety corrections for distinct hazards, nor does it allow nonhistorical additions to ignore the regular code. Check § 8-102.1.4–.6 for limits.

Worked example — concrete scenario

Scenario: A homeowner owns a 2,200 ft² house that the city has listed on its local historic inventory. The owner wants to replace windows and add a 600 ft² kitchen wing.

  1. Qualification: Because the house is listed on a city historic inventory, it meets the CHBC definition of a Qualified Historical Building or Property in § 8-201. The owner should document the listing when applying for permits.
  2. Owner election: The owner must elect to have the local enforcing agency use the CHBC for the permit review; without election, the regular code governs. See § 8-102.1, item 1.
  3. Scope of work under CHBC: Replacement of windows and in-kind repairs clearly fall within CHBC treatments. The proposed 600 ft² nonhistorical kitchen addition may be permitted, but per § 8-102.1.1 the nonhistorical addition must conform to the regular code even though the historic portion can be treated under CHBC. The owner should expect CHBC flexibility for preservation-type work and regular-code requirements for the new wing.

Related provisions

  • § 8-201 — Definitions, including the CHBC definition of Qualified Historical Building or Property.
  • § 8-102.1 — Application; owner election and state-agency responsibilities.
  • § 8-102.1.1 — Additions, alterations and repairs: nonhistorical additions must meet the regular code.
  • § 8-102.1.2 — Relocation provisions for qualified historical buildings or properties.
  • § 8-102.1.4 — Continued use provisions (when existing use may continue).
  • § 8-102.1.5 — Unsafe buildings: limited remediation to correct unsafe conditions.
  • § 8-102.1.6 — Limit on additional work required by regular code beyond the project.

Code references

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

  • 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 § 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 § 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.

  • CBC § 18955 High relevance — show source text

    INTEGRITY. Authenticity of a building or property’s historical identity, evidenced by the survival of physical characteristics that existed during the property’s historical or prehistorical period of significance.

    LIFE SAFETY EVALUATION. An evaluation of the life safety hazards of a qualified historical building or property based on procedures similar to those contained in NFPA 909, Standard for the Protection of Cultural Resources, Appendix B, Fire Risk Assessment in Heritage Premises.

    LIFE SAFETY HAZARD. See Distinct Hazard.

    PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE. The period of time when a qualified historical building or property was associated with important events, activities or persons, or attained the characteristics for its listing or registration.

    PRESERVATION. The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity and materials of a qualified historical building or property. Work, including preliminary measures to protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. New exterior additions are not within the scope of this treatment; however, the limited and sensitive upgrading of mechanical,

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    DEFINITIONS

    electrical and plumbing systems and other code-related work to make properties functional is appropriate within a preservation project.

    QUALIFIED HISTORICAL BUILDING OR PROPERTY. As defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18955 as “Qualified Historical Building or Property.” Any building, site, object, place, location, district or collection of structures, and their associated sites, deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state or federal governmental jurisdiction. 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.

  • 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 § 8-101.1 Medium 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 § 8-1002.1 Medium 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 § 25.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    Fasteners shall be sized such that the tip of the fastener passes completely through the wood structural panel sheathing by not less than1/4 inch.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 mph = 0.447 m/s.
    a.
    This table is based on attachment of brick ties directly to wood structural panel sheathing only. Additional attachment of the brick tie to lumber framing is not required. The
    brick ties shall be permitted to be placed over any insulating sheathing, not to exceed 2 inches in thickness. Wood structural panel sheathing shall be a minimum 7/16 performance
    category. The table is based on a building height of 30 feet or less.
    b. Wood structural panels shall have a specific gravity of 0.42 or greater in accordance with NDS.
    c.
    Foam sheathing shall have a minimum compressive strength of 15 psi in accordance with ASTM C578 or ASTM C1289.
    d. Fasteners shall be sized such that the tip of the fastener passes completely through the wood structural panel sheathing by not less than1/4 inch.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 mph = 0.447 m/s.
    a.
    This table is based on attachment of brick ties directly to wood structural panel sheathing only. Additional attachment of the brick tie to lumber framing is not required. The
    brick ties shall be permitted to be placed over any insulating sheathing, not to exceed 2 inches in thickness. Wood structural panel sheathing shall be a minimum 7/16 performance
    category. The table is based on a building height of 30 feet or less.
    b. Wood structural panels shall have a specific gravity of 0.42 or greater in accordance with NDS.
    c.
    Foam sheathing shall have a minimum compressive strength of 15 psi in accordance with ASTM C578 or ASTM C1289.
    d. Fasteners shall be sized such that the tip of the fastener passes completely through the wood structural panel sheathing by not less than1/4 inch.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 mph = 0.447 m/s.
    a.
    This table is based on attachment of brick ties directly to wood structural panel sheathing only. Additional attachment of the brick tie to lumber framing is not required. The
    brick ties shall be permitted to be placed over any insulating sheathing, not to exceed 2 inches in thickness. Wood structural panel sheathing shall be a minimum 7/16 performance
    category. The table is based on a building height of 30 feet or less.
    b. Wood structural panels shall have a specific gravity of 0.42 or greater in accordance with NDS.
    c.
    Foam sheathing shall have a minimum compressive strength of 15 psi in accordance with ASTM C578 or ASTM C1289.
    d. Fasteners shall be sized such that the tip of the fastener passes completely through the wood structural panel sheathing by not less than1/4 inch.|For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 mph = 0.447 m/s.
    a.
    This table is based on attachment of brick ties directly to wood structural panel sheathing only. Additional attachment of the brick tie to lumber framing is not required. The
    brick ties shall be permitted to be placed over any insulating sheathing, not to exceed 2 inches in thickness. Wood structural panel sheathing shall be a minimum 7/16 performance
    category.

  • CHBC § 8-102.1.1 Medium 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 § 8-104.4 Medium relevance — show source text

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

    SECTION 8-105 CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS

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

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

    SECTION 8-106 SHBSB RULINGS

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

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    8-2 DEFINITIONS

    SECTION 8-201 DEFINITIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • CHBC § 8-303.6 Medium relevance — show source text

    8-303.6 Light and ventilation. Windows in habitable rooms shall have an area of 6 percent of the floor area, or 6 square feet (0.56 m [2] ), whichever is greater. Windows in sleeping rooms shall be openable (see Section 8-503). Residential occupancies need not be provided with electrical lighting.

    8-303.7 Alteration and repair. The alteration and repair of qualified historical buildings or properties may permit the replacement, retention and extension of original materials and the continued use of original methods of construction, provided a life safety hazard is not created or continued. Alterations and repairs shall be consistent with the CHBC.

    The amount of alterations and repairs is not limited, provided there is no nonhistorical increase in floor area, volume or size of the building or property.

    8-303.8 Exiting. See Chapter 8-5.

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    8-4 FIRE PROTECTION

    SECTION 8-401 PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

    8-401.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations for fire protection of 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.

    8-401.2 Intent. The intent of the CHBC is to preserve the integrity of qualified historical buildings or properties while maintaining a reasonable degree of fire protection based primarily on the life safety of the occupants and firefighting personnel.

    8-401.3 Scope. This chapter shall apply when required by the provisions of Section 8-102.

    SECTION 8-402 FIRE-RESISTIVE CONSTRUCTION

    8-402.1 Exterior wall construction. The fire-resistance requirement for existing exterior walls and existing opening protection may be satisfied when an automatic sprinkler system designed for exposure protection is installed per the CHBC. The automatic sprinklers may be installed on the exterior with at least one sprinkler located over each opening required to be protected. Additional sprinklers shall also be distributed along combustible walls under the roof lines that do not meet the fire-resistive requirement due to relationship to property lines as required by regular code. Such sprinkler systems may be connected to the domestic water supply on the supply-main side of the building shut-off valve. A shut-off valve may be installed for the sprinkler system, provided it is locked in an open position.

    8-402.2 One-hour construction. Upgrading an existing qualified historical building or property to one-hour fire-resistive construction and one-hour fire-resistive corridors shall not be required regardless of construction or occupancy when one of the following is provided:

    1. An automatic sprinkler system throughout. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.
    2. An approved life safety evaluation.
    3. Other alternative measures as approved by the enforcing agency.

    8-402.3 Openings in fire-rated systems. Historical glazing materials and solid wood unrated doors in interior walls required to have one-hour fire rating may be approved when operable windows and doors are provided with appropriate smoke seals and when the area affected is provided with an automatic sprinkler system. See Section 8-410 for automatic sprinkler systems.

    SECTION 8-403 INTERIOR FINISH MATERIALS

  • CHBC § 7.2 Medium relevance — show source text

    BE APPLICABLE TO THE MINIMUM SOLID WALL LENGTH EQUATIONS SEE SECTION R608.7.2

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    WALL CONSTRUCTION

    FIGURE R608.7.1.1(2)—VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT LAYOUT DETAIL

    DETAIL
    NO.
    NOM. WALL
    THICKNESS, IN.
    REINFORCEMENT LAYOUT AT ENDS OF
    SOLID WALL SEGMENTS
    NOTES
    1 4 3 inch Max. Typical
    2 inch Typical
    For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
    1. See Table R608.7.1.1(6) for use
    of details.
    2. Minimum length of solid wall
    segment and size and grade
    of reinforcement in each end
    of each solid wall segment
    shall be determined from
    Table R608.7.1.1(6).
    3. For minimum cover requirements,
    see Section R608.5.4.1.
    4. For details 3 - 8 where two
    or more bars are in the same
    row parallel to the end of the
    segment, place bars so that
    corner bars are as close to the
    sides of the wall segments as
    minimum cover requirements
    of Section R608.5.4.1 will permit.
    5. For waffle- and screen-grid walls,
    each end of each solid wall
    segment shall have rectangular
    flanges. In the through-the-wall
    dimension, the flange shall be not
    less than 5½ inches for 6-inch
    nominal waffle- and screen-grid
    forms, and not less than 7½
    inches for 8-inch nominal waffle-
    grid forms. In the in-plane
    dimension, flanges shall be long
    enough to accommodate the
    vertical reinforcement required
    by the layout detail selected and
    provide the cover required by
    Section R608.5.4.1. If necessary
    to achieve the required
    dimensions, form material shall be
    removed or flat wall forms are
    permitted. See Table R608.7.1.1(6),
    Note e.
    2 4
    3 8
    6
    10
    4 6
    5 8 1 inch Min. clear spacing Typical 1 inch Min. clear spacing Typical
    6 8
    7 10
    8 10 * For minimum cover see Section R608.5.4.1
    *
    * For minimum cover see Section R608.5.4.1
    *

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    FOOTING

    WALL CONSTRUCTION

    FIGURE R608.7.1.1(3)—VERTICAL WALL REINFORCEMENT ADJACENT TO WALL OPENINGS

    VERTICAL WALL REINFORCEMENT

    AT END OF SOLID WALL SEGMENT.

    WALL HEIGHT

    BELOW LOWEST

    ADJACENT

    OPENING MORE

    THAN REQUIRED

    BY SECTION

    R608.7.2.2.2

Frequently asked questions

Which specific registers are named in the CHBC as examples?

The CHBC text names the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, State Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and city or county registers, inventories or surveys as examples of qualifying listings. See § 8-201.

If my property is only “determined eligible” but not formally listed, does it qualify?

Yes. The CHBC explicitly includes properties on, or determined eligible for, national, state or local historical registers or inventories in the definition of a qualified property. See § 8-201.

Do I have to use the CHBC if my building is listed?

For private property: No — the owner must elect to have the CHBC applied for the permit. For state agencies: the CHBC must be applied to qualifying properties under state jurisdiction. See § 8-102.1.

Can I add a modern addition under the CHBC?

You may add nonhistorical expansions, but nonhistorical additions must conform to the regular code; the CHBC may be used for the historic portions. See § 8-102.1.1.

What happens if the building is unsafe?

If a qualified historical building is found unsafe, CHBC governs the corrective work necessary to remedy the unsafe condition without requiring the entire property to be brought up to the full regular-code standard. See § 8-102.1.5.

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