Purpose and scope of Qualified Historical Districts, Sites and Open Spaces

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

• CHBC § 8-904.2.7 High relevance — show source text

  8-904.2.7 Lighting load calculations for services and feeders may be based on actual loads as installed in lieu of the “watts per square foot” method.

  8-904.2.8 Determination of existing loads may be based on maximum demand recordings in lieu of calculations, provided all of the following are met:

  1. Recordings are provided by the serving agency.
  2. The maximum demand data is available for a one-year period. Exception: If maximum demand data for a one-year period is not available, the maximum demand data shall be permitted to be based on the actual amperes continuously recorded over a minimum 30-day period by a recording ammeter connected to the highest loaded phase of the feeder or service. The recording should reflect the maximum demand when the building or space is occupied and include the measured or calculated load at the peak time of the year, including the larger of the heating or cooling equipment load.
  3. There has been no change in occupancy or character of load during the previous 12 months.
  4. The anticipated load will not change, or the existing demand load at 125 percent plus the new load does not exceed the ampacity of the feeder or rating of the service.

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  8-10 QUALIFIED HISTORICAL DISTRICTS, SITES AND OPEN SPACES

  SECTION 8-1001 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE

  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.

• 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 High 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 § 8-1001 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 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 § 8-810 High relevance — show source text

  8-810 Hollow Clay Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

  8-811 Veneers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

  8-812 Glass and Glazing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

  CHAPTER 8-9 MECHANICAL, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

  Section

  8-901 Purpose, Intent and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 8-902 Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

  8-903 Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 8-904 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

  CHAPTER 8-10 QUALIFIED HISTORICAL DISTRICTS,

  SITES AND OPEN SPACES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

  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.”

• 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 § 8-503 High relevance — show source text

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  MEANS OF EGRESS

  SECTION 8-503 — ESCAPE OR RESCUE WINDOWS AND DOORS

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

  SECTION 8-504 — RAILINGS AND GUARDRAILS

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

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  8-6 ACCESSIBILITY

  SECTION 8-601 — PURPOSE, INTENT AND SCOPE

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

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

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

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

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

  SECTION 8-602 — BASIC PROVISIONS

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

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

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

  SECTION 8-603 — ALTERNATIVES

• CHBC § 8-3 High 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 § 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.

• 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 § 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.

  2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE vii

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

  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.