CHAPTER 3. Powers of the Commission [18930. - 18934.9.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 3.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18930. Section 18930.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (g), any building standard adopted or proposed by state agencies shall be submitted to, and approved or adopted by, the California Building Standards Commission prior to codification. Prior to submission to the commission, building standards shall be adopted in compliance with the procedures specified in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Building standards adopted by state agencies and submitted to the commission for approval shall be accompanied by an analysis written by the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards which shall, to the satisfaction of the commission, justify the approval thereof in terms of the following criteria: (1) The proposed building standards do not conflict with, overlap, or duplicate other building standards. (2) The proposed building standard is within the parameters established by enabling legislation and is not expressly within the exclusive jurisdiction of another agency. (3) The public interest requires the adoption of the building standards. The public interest includes, but is not limited to, health and safety, resource efficiency, fire safety, seismic safety, building and building system performance, and consistency with environmental, public health, and accessibility statutes and regulations. (4) The proposed building standard is not unreasonable, arbitrary, unfair, or capricious, in whole or in part. (5) The cost to the public is reasonable, based on the overall benefit to be derived from the building standards. (6) The proposed building standard is not unnecessarily ambiguous or vague, in whole or in part. (7) The applicable national specifications, published standards, and model codes have been incorporated therein as provided in this part, where appropriate. (A) If a national specification, published standard, or model code does not adequately address the goals of the state agency, a statement defining the inadequacy shall accompany the proposed building standard when submitted to the commission. (B) If there is no national specification, published standard, or model code that is relevant to the proposed building standard, the state agency shall prepare a statement informing the commission and submit that statement with the proposed building standard. (8) The format of the proposed building standards is consistent with that adopted by the commission. (9) The proposed building standard, if it promotes fire and panic safety, as determined by the State Fire Marshal, has the written approval of the State Fire Marshal. (b) In reviewing building standards submitted for its approval, the commission shall consider only the record of the proceedings of the adopting agency, except as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 11359 of the Government Code. (c) Where the commission is the adopting agency, it shall consider the record submitted to, and considered by, the state agency that proposes the building standards and the record of public comment that results from the commission’s adoption of proposed regulations. (d) (1) The commission shall give great weight to the determinations and analysis of the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards on each of the criteria for approval set forth in subdivision (a). Any factual determinations of the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards shall be considered conclusive by the commission unless the commission specifically finds, and sets forth its reasoning in writing, that the factual determination is arbitrary and capricious or substantially unsupported by the evidence considered by the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards. (2) Whenever the commission makes a finding, as described in this subdivision, it shall return the standard to the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards for a reexamination of its original determination of the disputed fact. (e) Whenever a building standard is principally intended to protect the public health and safety, its adoption shall not be a “factual determination” for purposes of subdivision (d). Whenever a building standard is principally intended to conserve energy or other natural resources, the commission shall consider or review the cost to the public or benefit to be derived as a “factual determination” pursuant to subdivision (d). Whenever a building standard promotes fire and panic safety, each agency shall, unless adopted by the State Fire Marshal, submit the building standard to the State Fire Marshal for prior approval. (f) Whenever the commission finds, pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), that a building standard is adopted by an adopting agency pursuant to statutes requiring adoption of the building standard, the commission shall not consider or review whether the adoption is in the public interest pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a). (g) Commencing October 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031, inclusive, proposed building standards affecting residential units shall not be considered, approved, or adopted by the commission or any other adopting agency, unless any of the following conditions are met: (1) The commission deems those changes necessary as emergency standards to protect health and safety. (2) The building standards are amendments by the State Fire Marshal to building standards within the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Part 7 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). (3) The building standards are proposed for adoption in relation to standards researched pursuant to Section 13108.5.2. (4) The building standards are proposed for adoption pursuant to Section 17921.9, 17921.11, or 18940.7 of this code, or Section 13558 of the Water Code. (5) The building standards are necessary to ensure the latest editions of the model codes specified in Section 18916 are incorporated into the triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code, along with any necessary and related state amendments supporting or facilitating the incorporation of the model codes. (6) The building standards are necessary to incorporate errata or emergency updates to the national model codes specified in Section 18916, along with any necessary and related state amendments supporting or facilitating the incorporation of errata or emergency updates to the model codes. (7) The building standards are necessary to incorporate updates to accessibility requirements that align with minimum federal accessibility laws, standards, and regulations. (8) The building standards under consideration would take effect on or after January 1, 2032.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18930.5. Section 18930.5.

(a) If no state agency has the authority or expertise to propose green building standards applicable to a particular occupancy, the commission shall adopt, approve, codify, update, and publish green building standards for those occupancies. (b) The commission and other state agencies that propose green building standards shall allow for input by other state agencies that have expertise in green building subject areas. The process by which these other state agencies shall submit suggested changes for consideration shall be adopted as administrative regulations in Part 1 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. These administrative regulations shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (1) The timing for receipt of suggested changes. (2) Whether the suggested changes should be considered for adoption as mandatory or voluntary green building standards. (3) The concurrent submission of appropriate technical analysis that could be used by the agency to support the proposal under the requirements of subdivision (a) of Section 18930, including the rationale supporting the recommendation that the item be considered for adoption as mandatory or voluntary green building standards. (4) The concurrent submission of fiscal analysis necessary for submission to the Department of Finance and for use in complying with the cost of compliance provisions of Sections 11346.2 and 11346.5 of the Government Code. (5) The manner in which the suggestions will be made available to the public. (c) If a state agency that proposes green building standards offers advice to the commission via an advisory panel appointed pursuant to Section 18927, as part of its presentation it shall, to the extent feasible, indicate those voluntary green building measures that may be considered for possible adoption as mandatory within the next two subsequent adoption cycles.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18931. Section 18931.

The commission shall perform the following: (a) In accordance with Section 18930 and within 120 days from the date of receipt of adopted standards, review the standards of adopting agencies and approve, return for amendment with recommended changes, or reject building standards submitted to the commission for its approval. When building standards are returned for amendment or rejected, the commission shall inform the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards of the specific reasons for the recommended changes or rejection, citing the criteria required under Section 18930. When standards are not acted upon by the commission within 120 days, the standards shall be approved, including codification and publication in the California Building Standards Code, without further review and without return or rejection by the commission. (b) Codify, including publish, all building standards of adopting agencies or state agencies that propose the building standards and statutes defining building standards into one California Building Standards Code. (c) Resolve conflict, duplication, and overlap in building standards in the code. (d) Ensure consistency in nomenclature and format in the code. (e) In accordance with Section 18945, hear appeals resulting from the administration of state building standards. (f) Adopt any procedural regulations which it deems necessary to administer this part.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18931.5. Section 18931.5.

(a) Each state agency that adopts or proposes building standards shall pay annually to the California Building Standards Commission a proportionate share of the cost of the review and publication of building standards which are published or proposed to be published in the California Building Standards Code. (b) The commission shall determine the proportional cost to be paid for review of existing building standards and the amount to be paid for review of building standards, adopted or proposed by a state agency, that have been submitted for publication in the California Building Standards Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18931.6. Section 18931.6.

(a) Each city, county, or city and county shall collect a fee from any applicant for a building permit, assessed at the rate of four dollars ($4) per one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in valuation, as determined by the local building official, with appropriate fractions thereof, but not less than one dollar ($1). (b) The city, county, or city and county may retain not more than 10 percent of the fees collected under this section for related administrative costs and for code enforcement education, including, but not limited to, certifications in the voluntary construction inspector certification program, and shall transmit the remainder to the commission for deposit in the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund established under Section 18931.7. (c) The commission may reduce the rate of the fee upon determining that a lesser amount is sufficient to maintain the programs established under this part.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18931.7. Section 18931.7.

(a) All funds received by the commission under this part shall be deposited in the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund, which is hereby established in the State Treasury. (b) Moneys deposited in the fund shall be available, upon appropriation, to the commission, the department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal for expenditure in carrying out this part, the provisions of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) that relate to building standards, as defined in Section 18909, and the requirements in Section 13159.5 of this code and subdivision (d) of Section 51189 of the Government Code, with emphasis placed on the development, adoption, publication, and updating of green building standards, the updating of verification guidelines for Tier 1 or Tier 2 green building standards and educational efforts, including, but not limited to, training for local building officials associated with green building standards.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18931.8. Section 18931.8.

The commission shall have the powers and authority necessary to carry out the duties imposed upon it by this chapter, including, but not limited to, both of the following: (a) To accept any federal funds granted by an act of Congress or by an Executive order for any purpose of this chapter. (b) To accept any gift, donation, grant, bequest, or other funding for any purpose of this chapter.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18932. Section 18932.

(a) The code shall indicate the agency having responsibility vested by law for the administration of each building standard and the occupancy or occupancies affected by each building standard. (b) The code shall include an index and reference guide. (c) The commission shall establish the format for the code to conform it as nearly as it deems practicable with the model codes.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18933. Section 18933.

(a) The commission may give affected state agencies reasonable time, as specified by the commission, to adopt amendments to building standards submitted for approval. If the agencies do not do so within the reasonable time as specified, the commission shall convene a committee composed of a representative from each of the agencies affected and any other qualified persons who are selected by the commission. This committee shall prepare a recommendation for commission action upon the building standards. Upon the recommendation, or if the committee does not prepare a recommendation and deliver it to the commission within 30 days after being appointed, the commission may rewrite, edit, amend, or adopt, and approve the building standards consistent with the intent of this part and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and the criteria for approval provided in Section 18930. It shall not, however, be required that hearings or other administrative procedure be duplicated on unchanged portions of building standards previously adopted and approved by the commission. (b) (1) Pursuant to Section 18943, the commission, after publication of building standards pursuant to Section 18941 in the triennial edition of the code, shall recommend to affected state agencies the repeal of building standards of those state agencies which were adopted, or are, in conflict with other published standards in the code. If the state agencies do not repeal the building standards within a reasonable time as specified by the commission, the commission shall convene a committee composed of a representative of each of the agencies affected and other qualified persons selected by the commission to prepare a recommendation for commission action on the building standards. (2) Upon the recommendation, or if the committee does not prepare a recommendation and deliver it to the commission within 30 days after being appointed, the commission may repeal the building standards, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. This subdivision shall not supersede Section 18943, but, instead, provides the procedure for effecting that section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18934. Section 18934.

State agencies proposing to adopt building standards shall adopt, and the commission shall approve, regulations establishing procedures to ensure public participation in the development of building standards and regulations.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18934.5. Section 18934.5.

Where no state agency has the authority to adopt building standards applicable to state buildings, the commission shall adopt, approve, codify, and publish building standards providing the minimum standards for the design and construction of state buildings, including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University and, to the extent permitted by law, to buildings designed and constructed by the Regents of the University of California. Building standards for state buildings shall comply with the criteria in subdivision (a) of Section 18930.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18934.7. Section 18934.7.

The commission shall adopt, approve, codify, and publish by reference in the California Building Standards Code the building standards in Appendix Chapter 1 of the International Existing Building Code of the International Code Council to provide minimum standards for buildings specified in that appendix, except for buildings subject to building standards adopted pursuant to Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910).

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18934.8. Section 18934.8.

(a) Pursuant to subdivision (b), the commission may adopt amendments to the California Building Standards Code provided that they are substantially the same as model code amendments which were adopted on an emergency basis by the code publishers, if the sections being amended are not under the authority of a state agency. (b) The commission may consider adoption of emergency amendments made to the model codes in an expedited rulemaking process outside the 18-month code adoption cycle set forth in Section 18929.1. If a model code organization adopts emergency amendments, the commission may adopt those amendments 120 days after the organization’s adoption of those amendments. This rulemaking process shall be completed within 180 days from the date the amendments were adopted by the model code organization. The commission shall ensure that the rulemaking process includes all of the following: (1) Adequate public participation in the development of building standards prior to submittal to the commission for adoption and approval. (2) Adequate written notice to the public of the compiled building standards and the written justification therefor. (3) Adequate technical review of proposed building standards and accompanying justification by advisory bodies appointed by the commission. (4) Adequate time for review of recommendations by advisory bodies prior to action by the commission. (c) Amendments to the California Building Standards Code adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect 60 days from the date on which they are adopted by the commission. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit amendments to the California Building Standards Code that decrease the level of disabled access provided.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18934.9. Section 18934.9.

(a) For purposes of this section, “press box” means a space reserved for reporters, press, or other media at a stadium. (b) (1) The commission, as part of the next triennial building code cycle that begins on or after January 1, 2013, shall adopt standards for press boxes that require that the press boxes are located on a route that is accessible to persons with disabilities. (2) Standards adopted by the commission pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not apply to both of the following: (A) A press box in bleachers that have points of entry at only one level, provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes is at a maximum of 500 square feet. (B) A free-standing press box that is elevated above 12 feet minimum grade, provided that the aggregate area of all press boxes is at a maximum of 500 square feet. (3) For purposes of this subdivision, where a facility contains multiple assembly areas, the aggregate area of press boxes in each assembly area shall be calculated separately.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026