CHBC · California Historical Building Code

Site relationships, landscape and functional elements

This CHBC hub explains how the code treats historic site relationships, landscape elements and functional site features and points to the governing sections for scope and application.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This part of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) covers the treatment and preservation of site-related features that contribute to the historical character and function of qualified historical buildings and districts — including site layout and circulation, landscape elements, site structures and functional infrastructure. See §8‑1001.2 for the scope and examples of site plan, landscape and functional elements .

The CHBC matters because site relationships and landscape features are often character‑defining and can be affected by repair, alteration or by work governed by regular code; the CHBC provides context‑sensitive solutions to retain historic integrity while addressing safety and functionality. The chapter on site relations explains that site context is a qualification criterion and directs use of the CHBC when secondary work impacts associated features (see §8‑1003 and §8‑1002.2) .

Key sections to consult include §8‑1001.1 (purpose and scope), §8‑1001.2 (scope examples: site layout, landscape, utilities and erosion control) and §8‑1003 (site relations and context‑sensitive treatments) for initial guidance on applicability and intent .

In this section

Code references

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 § 8-1001.1 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 § 8-1002.1 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 § 8-2 Medium relevance — show source text

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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.

    DISTINCT HAZARD. Any clear and evident condition that exists as an immediate danger to the safety of the occupants or public right of way. Conditions that do not meet the requirements of current regular codes and ordinances do not, of themselves, constitute a distinct hazard. Section 8-104.3, SHBC appeals, remains applicable.

    ENFORCING AGENCY, Authority Having Jurisdiction, Local Agency with Jurisdiction. An entity with the responsibility for regulating, enforcing, reviewing or otherwise that exerts control of or administration over the process of granting permits, approvals, decisions, variances, appeals for qualified historical buildings or properties.

    EXIT LADDER DEVICE. An exit ladder device is a permanently installed, fixed, folding, retractable or hinged ladder intended for use as a means of emergency egress from areas of the second or third stories. Unless approved specifically for a longer length, the ladder shall be limited to 25 feet (7620 mm) in length. Exit ladders are permitted where the area served by the ladder has an occupant load less than 10 persons.

    FIRE HAZARD. Any condition which increases or may contribute to an increase in the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than customarily recognized by the authority having jurisdiction, or any condition or act which could obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with the operations of firefighting personnel or the egress of occupants in the event of fire. Section 8-104.3, SHBC appeals, remains applicable.

    HISTORICAL FABRIC OR MATERIALS. Original and later-added historically significant construction materials, architectural finishes or elements in a particular pattern or configuration which form a qualified historical property, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

    HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. Importance for which a property has been evaluated and found to be historical, as determined by the authority having jurisdiction.

  • CHBC § 8-31 Medium relevance — show source text

    owner, location|| |2|Building type, building area|| |3|Overall project commissioning schedule|| |4|Contact information for individual/company providing commissioning services|| ||COMMISSIONING GOALS|| |5|Meet_California Green Building Standards Code_ requirements for commissioning|| |6|Meeting OPR and BOD requirements|| |7|Carrying out requirements for commissioning activities as specified in plans and specifications|| ||SYSTEMS TO BE COMMISSIONED|| |8|Explanation of the original design intent (refer to OPR and BOD documents)|| |9|Equipment and systems to be tested, functions to be tested, conditions under which the test shall be
    performed and measurable criteria for acceptable performance|| ||COMMISSIONING TEAM INFORMATION|| |10|List of all team members and contact information (i.e. owner, owner’s representative, architect,
    engineers, designated commissioning representative and (if available): general contractor,
    subcontractors and construction manager)|| ||COMMISSIONING PROCESS ACTIVITIES, SCHEDULES and RESPONSIBILITIES|| |11|Prescribed commissioning process steps and activities to be accomplished by the Cx team throughout
    the design to occupancy|| |12|Roles and responsibilities for each member of the Cx team for each phase of the work|| |13|Required Cx deliverables, reports, forms and verifications expected at each stage of the commissioning
    effort|| |14|Confirmation process for the O&M manual, systems manual and the facility operator and maintenance
    staff training||

    1. The following systems shall be tested: renewable energy systems, landscape irrigation systems and water reuse systems.

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    COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

    FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTING

    COMPLIANCE FORM

    CALGreen Commissioning Requirement 5.410.2.4, Functional Performance Testing

    5.410.2.4 Functional performance testing. [N] Functional performance tests shall demonstrate the correct installation and operation of each component, system and system-to-system interface in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. Functional performance testing reports shall contain information addressing each of the building components tested, the testing methods utilized, and include any readings and adjustments made.

    Test forms have been developed for each piece of commissioned equipment and system and include the checked elements listed below. These tests have been executed with deficiencies corrected.

    Col1 FUNCTIONAL TEST ELEMENTS INCLUDED
    1. Date and parties participating
    2. Signature block attesting test is complete and accurate
    3. Prerequisites
    4. Precautions
    5. Instrumentation required
    6. Reference to the source of what is being confirmed (sequences, packaged features, etc.)
    7. Detailed step-by-step test instructions
    8. Acceptance criteria
    9. Results
    10. Confirmation of returning to normal
    11. Deficiency list

    Cx Coordinator Signature Date

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    COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

  • CHBC § 8-3 Medium 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.

  • CBC § 18955 Medium 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 § 8-104.4 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 § 25.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    tion rates vary by components of weather conditions, including insolation, humidity, temperatures and wind, and time of year.

    Flow-Through Design. A fitting or a fitting configuration with two primary inlet connections and one, or more outlet connections with the purpose to supply water to a fixture fitting.

    Food Steamers (Steam Cookers). A cooking appliance wherein heat is imparted to food in a closed compartment by direct contact with steam. The compartment can be at or above atmospheric pressure. The steam can be static or circulated.

    Gang Showers. Shower compartments designed and intended for use by multiple persons simultaneously.

    Hydrozone. A grouping of plants with similar water requirements that are irrigated by the same irrigation zone.

    Irrigation Control System. An irrigation control system consists of a combination of a programmable controller using one or more inputs or sensors that, in combination, estimate or measure the availability of moisture for plants in order to operate an irrigation system, in such a manner that the system replenishes water as needed while minimizing excess water use. A properly programmed irrigation control system requires initial site specific set-up and will make irrigation schedule adjustments, including run times and required cycles throughout the irrigation season without human intervention.

    Irrigation Demand. The amount of water not supplied by natural precipitation that is needed to maintain landscape plant life in good condition. Irrigation demand is calculated by subtracting natural effective precipitation from the ET rate adjusted by the landscape coefficient, which includes the functional purpose and desired quality of the plant being irrigated.

    Irrigation Emission Device. The various landscape irrigation equipment terminal fittings or outlets that emit water for irrigating vegetation in a landscape.

    Irrigation Zone. The landscape area that is irrigated by a set of landscape irrigation emission devices installed on the same water supply line downstream of a single valve.

    Kitchen and Bar Sink Faucets. A faucet that discharges into a kitchen or bar sinks in domestic or commercial installations. Supply fittings that discharge into other type sinks, including clinical sinks, floor sinks, service sinks and laundry sinks are not included.

    Lavatory. (1) A basin or vessel for washing. (2) A plumbing fixture, as defined in (1), especially placed for use in personal hygiene. Principally not used for laundry purposes and never used for food preparation, or utensils, in food services. (3) A fixture designed for the washing of the hands and face. Sometimes called a wash basin.

    Lavatory Faucet. A faucet that discharges into a lavatory basin in a domestic or commercial installation.

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    APPENDIX L

    Low Application Rate Irrigation. A means of irrigation using low precipitation rate sprinkler heads or low flow emitters in conjunction with cycling irrigation schedules to apply water at a rate less than the soil absorption rate.

    Low Flow Emitter. Low-flow irrigation emission device designed to dissipate water pressure and discharge a small uniform flow or trickle of water at a constant flow rate.

    Low Precipitation Rate Sprinkler Heads. Landscape irrigation emission devices or sprinkler heads with a maximum precipitation rate of 1 inch per hour (25.4 mm/h) over the applied irrigation area.

    Maintenance. The upkeep of property or equipment by the owner of the property in compliance with the requirements of this appendix.

  • CHBC § 18959.5 Medium 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 § 1023.5 Medium relevance — show source text
    1. Penetrations of the fire barrier in accordance with Section 1023.5 shall be permitted.
    2. Separation between an interior exit stairway or ramp and the exit passageway extension shall not be required where there are no openings into the exit passageway extension.
    3. Separation between an interior exit stairway or ramp and the exit passageway extension shall not be required where the interior exit stairway and the exit passageway extension are pressurized in accordance with Section 909.20.4.

    1023.4 Openings. Interior exit stairway and ramp opening protectives shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 716.

    Openings in interior exit stairways and ramps other than unprotected exterior openings shall be limited to those required for exit access to the enclosure from normally occupied spaces and for egress from the enclosure.

    Elevators shall not open into interior exit stairways and ramps.

    1023.5 Penetrations. Penetrations into or through interior exit stairways and ramps are prohibited except for the following:

    1. Equipment and ductwork necessary for independent ventilation or pressurization.

    2. Fire protection systems.

    3. Security systems.

    4. Two-way communication systems.

    5. Electrical raceway for fire department communication systems.

    6. Electrical raceway serving the interior exit stairway and ramp and terminating at a steel box not exceeding 16 square inches (0.010 m [2] ).

    7. Structural elements, such as beams or joists, supporting the interior exit stairway or ramp or enclosure.

    8. Structural elements, such as beams or joists, supporting a roof at the top of the interior exit stairway or ramp.

    Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714. There shall not be penetrations or communication openings, whether protected or not, between adjacent interior exit stairways and ramps.

    Exception: Membrane penetrations shall be permitted on the outside of the interior exit stairway and ramp. Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714.4.2.

    2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE 10-45

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

    MEANS OF EGRESS

    1023.6 Ventilation. Equipment and ductwork for interior exit stairway and ramp ventilation as permitted by Section 1023.5 shall comply with one of the following items:

    1. Such equipment and ductwork shall be located exterior to the building and shall be directly connected to the interior exit stairway and ramp by ductwork enclosed in construction as required for shafts.
    2. Where such equipment and ductwork is located within the interior exit stairway and ramp, the intake air shall be taken directly from the outdoors and the exhaust air shall be discharged directly to the outdoors, or such air shall be conveyed through ducts enclosed in construction as required for shafts.
    3. Where located within the building, such equipment and ductwork shall be separated from the remainder of the building, including other mechanical equipment, with construction as required for shafts.

    In each case, openings into the fire-resistance-rated construction shall be limited to those needed for maintenance and operation and shall be protected by opening protectives in accordance with Section 716 for shaft enclosures.

    The interior exit stairway and ramp ventilation systems shall be independent of other building ventilation systems.

  • CHBC § 4.3 Medium relevance — show source text

    For each phase of the work, define the roles and responsibilities for each member of the Cx team. iii. List the required Cx deliverables, reports, forms and verifications expected at each stage of the commissioning effort.

    iv. Include the confirmation process for the O&M manual, systems manual and the facility operator and maintenance staff training.

    4.3 Enforcement:

    At their discretion, the inspector confirms demonstrated compliance at Plan Intake by: a) Receipt of a copy of the commissioning plan, or b) Receipt of a form signed by the owner or owner’s representative attesting that the Cx Plan has been completed.

    Reference: 5 Functional performance testing

    CALGreen Section 5.410.2.4, Functional performance testing.

    5.1 Intent:

    Develop and implement the functional performance tests to document, as set forth in the commissioning plan, that all components, equipment, systems and system-to-system interfaces were installed as specified, and operate according to the Owner’s Project Requirements, Basis of Design, and plans and specifications.

    The following systems to be functionally tested are listed in the Basis of Design (Section 5.410.2.2 of the code):

    1. Renewable energy systems

    2. Landscape irrigation systems

    3. Water reuse systems

    5.2 Compliance Method:

    Compliance is demonstrated by developing and implementing test procedures for each piece of commissioned equipment and interfaces between equipment and systems according to the building-specific commissioning plan. Tests should include verification of proper operation of all equipment features, each part of the sequence of operation, overrides, lockouts, safeties, alarms, occupied and unoccupied modes, loss of normal power, exercising a shutdown, startup, low load through full load (as much as is possible) and back, staging and standby functions, scheduling, energy efficiency strategies and loop tuning.

    Elements of acceptable test procedures include:

    1. Date and party—Identification of the date of the test and the party conducting the test.

    2. Signature block—Signature of the designated commissioning lead and the equipment installing contractor attesting that the recorded test results are accurate.

    3. Prerequisites—Any conditions or related equipment checkout or testing that needs to be completed before conducting this test.

    4. Precautions—Identification of the risks involved to the test team members and the equipment and how to mitigate them.

    5. Instrumentation—Listing of the instrumentation and tools necessary to complete the test.

    6. Reference—In each procedure item, identify the source for what is being confirmed (e.g., sequence of operation ID, operating feature, specification requirement, etc.).

    8-18 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

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

    COMPLIANCE FORMS, WORKSHEETS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL

    1. Test instructions—Step-by-step instructions of how to complete the test, including functions to test and the conditions under which the tests should performed.

    2. Acceptance criteria—Measurable pass / fail criteria for each step of the test, as applicable.

    3. Results—Expected system response and space to document the actual response, readings, results and adjustments.

    4. Return to normal—Instructions that all systems and equipment are to be returned to their as-found state at the conclusion of the tests.

    5. Deficiencies—A list of deficiencies and how they were mitigated.

    5.3 Enforcement:

Frequently asked questions

Does the CHBC apply to landscape elements and site features outside a building footprint?

Yes. The CHBC explicitly applies to associated historical features beyond buildings — such as plantings, site structures, bridges, lighting, water features and pedestrian or vehicular surfaces — under §8‑1001.2 .

When will the CHBC control work that otherwise follows the regular code?

When regular‑code work would impact associated historic features beyond a building’s footprint (for example new utilities, grading or circulation changes), those impacts are covered by the CHBC to allow context‑sensitive solutions (see §8‑1002.2 and §8‑1003) .

What are “functional elements” in this chapter?

Functional elements include utility placement, erosion control and environmental mitigation measures necessary for site operation and protection; they are listed as part of the scope in §8‑1001.2 .

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