CHAPTER 4. The California Building Standards Code [18935. - 18944.21.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 4.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18935. Section 18935.

(a) Notice of proposed building standards shall be given and hearings shall be held by the adopting agencies, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act, prior to the adoption of the building standards and submission to the commission for approval. The notice of proposed building standards and the initial statement of reasons for the proposed building standards shall comply with Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards shall submit the notice and initial statement of reasons for proposed building standards to the California Building Standards Commission, which shall review them for compliance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. If the commission determines that the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards has complied with Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the commission shall approve the notice and initial statement of reasons for proposed building standards, and submit the notice to the Office of Administrative Law for the sole purpose of inclusion in the California Regulatory Notice Register. The Office of Administrative Law shall publish only those notices of proposed building standards which have been approved by, and submitted to, the office by the California Building Standards Commission. (b) In order to ensure an absence of conflict between hearings and a maximum opportunity for interested parties to be heard, no hearings by adopting agencies shall be conducted unless the time and place thereof has been approved in writing by the commission prior to public notices of the hearing being given by the adopting agencies. (c) If, after building standards are submitted to the commission for approval, the commission requires changes therein as a condition for approval, and the changes are made, no additional hearing by the affected state agency shall be required in connection with making the changes when the commission determines the changes are nonsubstantial, solely grammatical in nature, or are sufficiently related to the text submitted to the commission for approval that the public was adequately placed on notice that the change could result from the originally proposed building standards.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18936. Section 18936.

The commission shall mail notices of meetings with respect to its proposed action on any building standards to any design profession organizations, chambers of commerce, consumer groups, building and construction industry organizations, governmental agencies, and other parties and organizations that have submitted a written request therefor at least 15 days prior to any meeting thereon, provided that the failure to do so shall not invalidate any commission action.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18937. Section 18937.

(a) Emergency standards shall be acted on by the commission within 30 days and only when the adopting agency or state agency that proposes the building standards has made the finding of emergency required by Sections 11346.1 and 11346.5 of the Government Code and the adopting agencies have adopted the emergency standard in compliance with Section 11346.1 of the Government Code, and the commission concurs with that finding. Both the concurrence and the approval of the emergency building standards require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the commission attending a meeting, or not less than six affirmative votes, whichever is greater. (b) Emergency standards approved by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be filed by the commission pursuant to Section 11346.1 of the Government Code and shall be subject to that section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18938. Section 18938.

(a) Building standards shall be filed with the Secretary of State and codified only after they have been approved by the commission and shall not be published in any other title of the California Code of Regulations. Emergency building standards shall be filed with the Secretary of State and shall take effect only after they have been approved by the commission as required by Section 18937. The filing of building standards adopted or approved pursuant to this part, or any certification with respect thereto, with the Secretary of State, or elsewhere as required by law, shall be done solely by the commission. (b) The building standards contained in the model codes described in Section 18916 and adopted by reference into the California Building Standards Code and any other building standards adopted into the California Building Standards Code shall apply to all occupancies throughout the state and shall become effective 180 days after publication in the California Building Standards Code by the California Building Standards Commission or at a later date after publication established by the commission. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, an adoption, amendment, or repeal of a building standard shall become effective 180 days after its publication in the triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code or one of its supplements, or at any later date as approved by the California Building Standards Commission, with the exceptions of standards adopted pursuant to Section 25402 of the Public Resources Code and those regulations that implement or enforce building standards. Regulations that implement or enforce building standards shall become effective 30 days after filing by the commission with the Secretary of State. This subdivision shall not apply to emergency building standards. An amendment or a repeal of a building standard in the California Building Standards Code that, as determined by the commission, would result in a less restrictive regulation, shall become effective 30 days after filing of the amendment or repeal by the commission with the Secretary of State. (d) Emergency standards defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18913 shall become effective when approved by the commission, and filed with the Secretary of State, or upon any later date specified therein, and remain in effect as provided by Section 11346.1 of the Government Code and Section 18937 of this code. Emergency standards shall be distributed as soon as practicable after publication to all interested and affected parties. Notice of repeal, pursuant to Section 11346.1 of the Government Code, of emergency standards defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18913 within the period specified by that section, shall also be given to the parties by the affected agencies promptly after the termination of the statutory period pursuant to Section 11346.1 of the Government Code. (e) This section shall not be applicable to the time limits set forth in Sections 17922 and 17958 for approval of uniform codes and for changes by local agencies in the California Building Standards Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18938.3. Section 18938.3.

With respect to the model codes that are designated in Sections 17922 and 18938 to serve as the basis for the California Building Standards Code but are no longer published, the building standards adopted and approved by the commission shall be those contained in the most recent editions of the model codes adopted or approved by the commission to serve as the basis for the 2007 triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code. Those model codes designated in Sections 17922 and 18938 that continue to be published and updated shall continue to serve as the basis for the California Building Standards Code. With respect to Section 17922, other model codes may be considered for use, proposal, approval, or adoption, or any combination thereof, provided they do not duplicate building standards, as proposed by the Department of Housing and Community Development and adopted by the commission, the subject matter of the model codes which serve as the basis for the 2007 triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18938.5. Section 18938.5.

(a) Only those building standards approved by the commission, and that are effective at the local level at the time an application for a building permit is submitted, shall apply to the plans and specifications for, and to the construction performed under, that building permit. (b) (1) A local ordinance adding or modifying building standards for residential occupancies, which are published in the California Building Standards Code, shall apply only to an application for a building permit submitted after the effective date of the ordinance and to the plans and specifications for, and the construction performed under, that permit. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any of the following: (A) A city or county that has been subject to an emergency proclaimed pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (B) A permit that is subsequently deemed expired because the building or work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 12 months from the date of the permit or the permittee has abandoned the work authorized by the permit. (C) A permit that is subsequently deemed suspended or revoked because the building official has, in writing, suspended or revoked the permit due to its issuance in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied. (c) No model code made applicable to any additional occupancy shall apply to any project that has been submitted for a building permit prior to the effective date of that model code. (d) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, the state and local building standards in effect at the time an application for a building permit is submitted, for a residential dwelling based on a model home design approved under those standards, shall apply to all future residential dwellings based on that approved model home design in the same jurisdiction, unless the model home design substantially changes at a later date or 10 years have passed since the building permit for the model home design was approved by the jurisdiction, whichever comes first.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18938.6. Section 18938.6.

(a) Every permit shall remain valid for purposes of this part if the work on the site authorized by that permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, unless the permittee has abandoned the work authorized by the permit. (b) A permittee may request an extension of a permit. The building official may grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time for periods of not more than 180 days per extension. The permittee shall request an extension pursuant to this subdivision in writing and demonstrate justifiable cause for the extension.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18940. Section 18940.

Codification of building standards approved by the commission shall be incorporated into the code and shall not be incorporated into other individual titles of state agencies in the California Code of Regulations.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18940.5. Section 18940.5.

As part of the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) adopted after January 1, 2014, agencies that propose green building standards for inclusion in Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations shall, to the extent that it is feasible, reference or reprint the green building standards in other relevant portions of Part 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, or 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. For purposes of compliance with this section, the republication of the provisions of Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations in other parts of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations shall not be considered duplication in violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 18930.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18940.6. Section 18940.6.

(a) For purposes of this section, “recycled water” has the same meaning as that term is defined in subdivision (n) of Section 13050 of the Water Code, and is consistent with the recycled water use criteria specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60301.100) of Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. (b) (1) The California Building Standards Commission shall conduct research to assist in the development of mandatory green building standards for the installation of recycled water systems for newly constructed commercial and public buildings, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board and other interested parties, including, but not limited to, public water systems, recycled water producers, product manufacturers, local building officials, apartment and other rental property owners, California-licensed contractors, and the building industry. (2) In researching, developing, and proposing mandatory building standards under this section, the commission is authorized to expend funds from the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund, upon appropriation pursuant to Section 18931.7. (3) Research conducted in order to propose building standards pursuant to this section shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (A) Potential outdoor applications for recycled water, consistent with the recycled water use criteria specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60301.100) of Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. (B) Potential indoor applications for recycled water, consistent with the recycled water use criteria specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60301.100) of Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. With respect to indoor applications, the commission shall consider whether to adopt or recommend measures in addition to the current standards adopted in the California Plumbing Code in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, to ensure the safe installation of indoor recycled water piping or systems, including, but not limited to, requiring purple pipe or special markings on recycled water piping or systems that states clearly whether it is approved for indoor use, or recommending restrictions on who may purchase or install recycled water piping for indoor use. (C) The cost of various recycled water systems. (D) The estimated quantity of water savings under varying levels of application of recycled water in commercial and public buildings and building site landscaped areas. (4) The commission may research standards for different types of water recycling systems, including noncentralized systems, but shall only mandate systems to the extent that they meet all of the health and safety standards specified in this section. (c) (1) The commission shall adopt mandatory building standards for the installation of recycled water systems for newly constructed commercial and public buildings. The commission shall consider the proposed mandatory building standards during the 2016 Intervening Code Adoption Cycle and may amend these mandatory standards as necessary in future code adoption cycles, consistent with the recycled water use criteria specified in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60301.100) of Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. (2) When developing the application provisions for the mandatory building standards, the commission shall limit the mandate to install recycled water systems within commercial and public buildings and building site landscaped areas to only those areas within a local jurisdiction that have feasible and cost-efficient access to a water recycling facility, or that have been identified by the local jurisdiction within a planned service area for the provision of recycled water for which a specific implementation timeline has been identified by the public water system in its most recent urban water management plan. (3) The mandate to install recycled water piping shall not apply to service areas in which the only recycled water use is for potable purposes, or in which net nonpotable deliveries are anticipated to remain level or decrease as a result of the potable reuse project. (4) The commission shall develop the application provisions for the mandatory building standards required under paragraph (1) in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, public water systems, recycled water producers, and water research associations. (5) A city, county, or city and county, in consultation with the public water system and recycled water producer, may further reduce the area for which the mandate to install recycled water piping applies, if the local public water system or recycled water producer finds that providing recycled water to an area is not feasible or cost effective.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18940.7. Section 18940.7.

(a) For purposes of this section, “water reuse system” includes both of the following: (1) A system approved for installation under the California Building Standards Code that uses recycled water, graywater, rainwater, or other nonpotable water sources for nonpotable indoor or outdoor building use, including landscaping, toilet and urinal flushing, floor trap priming, or cooling towers. (2) A system approved for installation under the California Building Standards Code that captures graywater, rainwater, building foundation water drainage, or other onsite alternative water sources for nonpotable reuse onsite or as part of a multibuilding, district, or campuswide treatment system. (b) The commission shall, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), research, develop, and propose building standards, including voluntary Tier 1 or Tier 2 standards of the California Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), to reduce potable water use in new nonresidential buildings, including consideration of requiring installation of water reuse systems and consideration of requiring preplumbing of buildings to allow future use of recycled water, onsite treated graywater, or other alternative water sources. In developing these standards, the commission may limit or exempt the application of standards based on occupancy, building type, building size, development size, availability or planned availability of recycled water, or as otherwise determined appropriate. (c) The commission shall perform a review of water efficiency and water reuse standards in the California Buildings Standards Code every three years thereafter and update as needed. (d) In developing and proposing building standards under this section, the commission is authorized to expend funds from the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund, upon appropriation pursuant to Section 18931.7.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941. Section 18941.

All building standards shall be administered and enforced and, whenever practicable, written on a performance basis consistent with state and nationally recognized standards for building construction in view of the use and occupancy of each structure to preserve and protect the public health and safety.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.5. Section 18941.5.

(a) (1) Amendments, additions, and deletions to the California Building Standards Code, including, but not limited to, green building standards, adopted by a city, county, or city and county pursuant to Section 18941.5 or pursuant to Section 17958.7, together with all applicable portions of the California Building Standards Code, shall become effective 180 days after publication of the California Building Standards Code by the commission, or at a later date after publication established by the commission. (2) The publication date established by the commission shall be no earlier than the date the California Building Standards Code is available for purchase by the public. (b) Neither the State Building Standards Law contained in this part, nor the application of building standards contained in this section, shall limit the authority of a city, county, or city and county to establish more restrictive building standards, including, but not limited to, green building standards, reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The governing body shall make the finding required by Section 17958.7 and the other requirements imposed by Section 17958.7 shall apply to that finding. Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of fire protection districts pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13869.7. Further, nothing in this section shall require findings required by Section 17958.7 beyond those currently required for more restrictive building standards related to housing. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), and commencing October 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031, inclusive, a city or county shall not establish more restrictive building standards, including, but not limited to, green building standards, that are applicable to residential units, unless one of the following conditions is met: (1) The changes or modifications are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the governing body of the city or county and were in effect as of September 30, 2025. (2) The commission deems those changes or modifications necessary as emergency standards to protect health and safety. (3) The changes or modifications relate to home hardening. (4) The building standards relate to home hardening and are proposed for adoption by a fire protection district pursuant to Section 13869.7. (5) The changes or modifications are necessary to implement a local code amendment that is adopted to align with a general plan approved on or before June 10, 2025, and that permits mixed-fuel residential construction consistent with federal law while also incentivizing all-electric construction as part of an adopted greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.6. Section 18941.6.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, ordinances and programs adopted on or before January 1, 1993, that contain standards to strengthen potentially hazardous buildings pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8875.2 of the Government Code, shall incorporate the building standards in Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation of the International Conference of Building Officials published in the California Building Standards Code, except for standards found by local ordinance to be inapplicable based on local conditions, as defined in subdivision (b), or based on an approved study pursuant to subdivision (c), or both. Ordinances and programs shall be updated in a timely manner to reflect changes in the model code, and more frequently if deemed necessary by local jurisdictions. (b) For the purpose of subdivision (a), and notwithstanding the meaning of “local conditions” as used elsewhere in this part and Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901), the term “local conditions” shall be limited to those conditions that affect the implementation of seismic strengthening standards on the following only: (1) The preservation of qualified historic structures as governed by the State Historical Building Code (Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 18950)). (2) Historic preservation programs, including, but not limited to, the California Mainstreet Program. (3) The preservation of affordable housing. (c) Any ordinance or program adopted on or before January 1, 1993, may include exceptions for local conditions not defined in subdivision (b) if the jurisdiction has approved a study on or before January 1, 1993, describing the effects of the exceptions. The study shall include a seismic hazards assessment, seismic retrofit cost comparisons, and earthquake damage estimates for a major earthquake, including the differences in costs, deaths, and injuries between full compliance with Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation and the ordinance or program. No study shall be required pursuant to this subdivision if the exceptions for local conditions not defined in subdivision (b) result in standards or requirements that are more stringent than those in Appendix Chapter 1 of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation. (d) Ordinances and programs adopted pursuant to this section shall be conclusively presumed to comply with the requirements of Chapter 173 of the Statutes of 1991.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.7. Section 18941.7.

Subject to Section 14877.3 of the Water Code, a city, county, or other local agency may adopt, after a public hearing and enactment of an ordinance or resolution, building standards that are more restrictive than the graywater building standards adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development under Section 17922.12 and published in the California Building Standards Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.8. Section 18941.8.

(a) As used in this section, “graywater” has the same meaning as defined in Section 17922.12. (b) Notwithstanding Chapter 22 (commencing with Section 14875) of Division 7 of the Water Code, as a part of the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) adopted after January 1, 2011, the commission shall adopt building standards for the construction, installation, and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses in nonresidential occupancies. (c) In adopting building standards under this section, the commission shall do all of the following: (1) Ensure protection of water quality in accordance with applicable provisions of state and federal water quality law. (2) Consider the adopted building standards for the construction, installation, and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses in residential buildings. (3) Consider existing research available on the environmental consequences to soil and groundwater of short-term and long-term graywater use for irrigation purposes. (4) Consider graywater use impacts on human health. (5) Consider the circumstances under which the use of graywater treatment systems in nonresidential occupancies is recommended. (6) Consider the use and regulation of graywater in other jurisdictions. (7) Use Chapter 16 of the Uniform Plumbing Code, adopted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as the starting point for the building standards and amend those standards as necessary. (d) The commission may revise and update the standards adopted under this section at any time. (e) The commission’s adoption of building standards for graywater systems pursuant to this section shall terminate the authority of the Department of Water Resources to adopt and update standards for the installation, construction, and alteration of graywater systems in nonresidential buildings pursuant to Chapter 22 (commencing with Section 14875) of Division 7 of the Water Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.9. Section 18941.9.

The commission shall, in the next triennial adoption process for the code adopted after the development of a standard specification by the Department of Transportation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 71400 of the Public Resources Code, consider incorporating that specification as an additional strategy for Heat Island Effect: Hardscape Alternatives in the California Green Building Standards Code (Section A5.106.11.1 of Appendix 5 of Part 11 (commencing with Section 101.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.10. Section 18941.10.

(a) (1) The commission shall, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) adopted after January 1, 2014, adopt, approve, codify, and publish mandatory building standards for the installation of future electric vehicle charging infrastructure for parking spaces in multifamily dwellings and nonresidential development. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the Department of Housing and Community Development shall propose mandatory building standards for the installation of future electric vehicle charging infrastructure for parking spaces in multifamily dwellings and submit the proposed mandatory building standards to the commission for consideration. (b) (1) In proposing and adopting mandatory building standards under this section, the Department of Housing and Community Development and the commission shall use Sections A4.106.6, A4.106.6.1, A4.106.6.2, A5.106.5.1, and A5.106.5.3 of the California Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) as the starting point for the mandatory building standards and amend those standards as necessary. (2) In proposing and adopting mandatory building standards under this section, the Department of Housing and Community Development and the commission shall actively consult with interested parties, including, but not limited to, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, manufacturers, local building officials, commercial building and apartment owners, and the building industry.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.11. Section 18941.11.

(a) (1) Commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), the commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development shall research and develop, and may propose for adoption by the commission, mandatory building standards for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in existing multifamily dwellings, hotels, motels, and nonresidential developments during specified retrofits, additions, and alterations to existing parking facilities for which a permit application is submitted on and after the effective date of those building standards. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 17922, Section 17912, or 17958.8, the Department of Housing and Development shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory building standards for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations with low power level 2 or higher electric vehicle chargers in existing parking facilities serving multifamily dwellings, hotels, and motels. The department shall submit the proposed mandatory building standards to the commission for consideration. (3) For purposes of paragraph (1), the commission shall research, develop, and propose for adoption mandatory building standards for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations with low power level 2 or higher electrical vehicle chargers, including direct current fast chargers, in parking facilities serving existing nonresidential buildings. (b) In researching, developing, and proposing for adoption mandatory building standards under this section, the commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development shall do all the following: (1) Consult with interested parties, including, but not limited to, the State Air Resources Board, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, vehicle and electric vehicle supply equipment manufacturers, local building officials, commercial building and apartment owners, and the building industry. (2) Invite the participation of the public at large in the development of those building standards. (3) Propose standards that only apply to certain additions and alterations of existing parking facilities when a building permit is required and other significant construction or repair, as determined by the agencies, is taking place. (c) The commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development shall review the building standards proposed and adopted pursuant to this section every triennial code cycle pursuant to Section 18942, and, if needed, update those building standards to ensure that the building standards support statewide needs for electric vehicle charging stations that align with the state’s zero-emission vehicle targets until both of the following goals are met: (1) There is adequate availability of charging given near-term electric vehicle charging needs. (2) There is sufficient charging capacity to support the long-term goal of achieving 100 percent electric vehicles statewide. (d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2033, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.12. Section 18941.12.

(a) Notwithstanding any subsequent updates to building standards approved by the commission pursuant to this chapter, an individual submitting a proposed development plan for a residential development may utilize, and a local agency shall allow the utilization of, a template floor plan if all of the following conditions are met: (1) For use of a template floor plan on or after January 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024, all of the following conditions: (A) The template floor plan was approved, between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, by the local agency that oversees development approvals where the proposed residential development is located and the plan complied with all building standards in effect at the time. (B) The proposed new development is located on the same parcel that contained a residential building that was damaged or destroyed, prior to January 1, 2020, as a result of a disaster in an area for which a state of emergency was proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (C) The owner of the destroyed or damaged residential building did not have code upgrade insurance at the time the building was damaged or destroyed. (D) The proposed new residential development will be used for owner-occupancy and is not intended to be used as a rental or vacation property. (E) The template floor plan is being used no more than six years after the date it was approved. (2) For use of a template floor plan on or after July 1, 2024, both of the following conditions: (A) All of the conditions in paragraph (1). (B) The local agency has approved, following every issuance of new state building standards, a resolution that includes findings that the continued use of the template floor plan without regard to subsequent changes to building standards does not pose a significant risk to the health and safety of the building occupants or the community. (b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.15. Section 18941.15.

At the next triennial building standards rulemaking cycle that commences on or after January 1, 2019, the Department of Housing and Community Development shall develop and submit for approval clarifications in the California Building Code and the California Residential Code pertaining to the requirements for the construction of live/work units.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.17. Section 18941.17.

(a) As part of each triennial California Building Standards Code rulemaking cycle that commences on or after January 1, 2023, the commission shall convene a workshop or other collaborative process on electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards. (b) The workshop or other collaborative process shall include the commission, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Division of the State Architect, the State Air Resources Board, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, and other relevant stakeholders. (c) The workshop or other collaborative process shall consider, among other things, projected demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure based on the state’s goals. (d) As part of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission’s participation in the workshop or other collaborative process, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall incorporate the most recent update to the statewide assessment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure prepared pursuant to Section 25229 of the Public Resources Code, any relevant electric load forecasts, and the statewide transportation electrification goals. (e) If the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission recommends any electric vehicle charging infrastructure standard as part of the workshop or other collaborative process, the recommended standard shall be cost effective when taken in its entirety and when amortized over the economic life of the infrastructure compared with historic practice. When determining cost effectiveness, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission shall consider other relevant factors, as required by Sections 18930 and 18935, including, but not limited to, the impact on housing costs, the total statewide costs and benefits of the standard over its lifetime, the economic impact on California businesses, and any alternative approaches and their associated costs.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18942. Section 18942.

(a) (1) The commission shall publish, or cause to be published, editions of the code in its entirety once every three years. In the intervening period the commission shall publish, or cause to be published, supplements as necessary. For emergency building standards defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18913, an emergency building standards supplement shall be published whenever the commission determines it is necessary. (2) Changes adopted during the intervening period described in paragraph (1) shall be limited to only the following: (A) Technical updates to existing code requirements only to the extent necessary to effectuate support or facilitate the incorporation or implementation of those existing code requirements. The updates shall be limited to clarifying, conforming, or coordinating changes that do not materially alter the substance or intent of the existing code provisions. (B) Emergency building standards. (C) 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). (D) 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. (E) Changes or modifications made pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 17958, paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 17958.5, or paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 17958.7. (F) Building standards necessary to incorporate updates to accessibility requirements that align with minimum federal accessibility laws, standards, and regulations. (b) The commission shall publish the text of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 115920) of Chapter 5 of Part 10 of Division 104, within the requirements for single-family residential occupancies contained in Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, with the following note: “NOTE: These regulations are subject to local government modification. You should verify the applicable local government requirements at the time of application for a building permit.” (c) The commission shall publish the text of Section 116064.2 within Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. (d) The commission may publish, stockpile, and sell at a reasonable price the code and materials incorporated therein by reference if it deems the latter is insufficiently available to the public, or unavailable at a reasonable price. Each state department concerned and each city, county, or city and county shall have an up-to-date copy of the code available for public inspection. (e) (1) Each city, county, and city and county, including charter cities, shall obtain and maintain with all revisions on a current basis, at least one copy of the building standards and other state regulations relating to buildings published in Titles 8, 19, 20, 24, and 25 of the California Code of Regulations. These codes shall be maintained in the office of the building official responsible for the administration and enforcement of this part. (2) This subdivision shall not apply to a city or county that contracts for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this part with another local government agency that complies with this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18942.1. Section 18942.1.

(a) If a regulation or order of repeal is filed with the Office of Administrative Law, and if it appears to be a building standard, as defined by Section 18909, which has not been approved by the commission, the Office of Administrative Law shall consult with the commission or the commission’s staff to determine the character and status of the filed regulation or order. Any building standard improperly transmitted to the Office of Administrative Law, as determined according to this section, shall not be then filed with the Secretary of State, but, instead, the Office of Administrative Law shall transmit the building standard to the commission and notify the adopting agency of this action. (b) If an administrative regulation or order of repeal is filed with the commission and it does not directly apply to the implementation or enforcement of a building standard, it shall not be submitted to the commission for action, but, instead, the commission shall transmit the regulations to the Office of Administrative Law and notify the submitting agency of this action.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18943. Section 18943.

Building standards in individual titles of the California Code of Regulations other than the California Building Standards Code shall have no force or effect after January 1, 1985.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944. Section 18944.

State agencies shall adopt regulations for publication in the titles of the California Code of Regulations containing other regulations of the agency to identify, by reference, the appropriate sections of the California Building Standards Code containing those building standards for which that agency has enforcement responsibility.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.5. Section 18944.5.

The code shall be binding on the state and other public agencies, including federal agencies to the extent permitted by federal law, in the same manner as it binds private parties or entities.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.7. Section 18944.7.

The alternative building regulations and building standards authorized under the State Historical Building Code (Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 18950) of Division 13) which have been published in Part 8 of the California Building Standards Code shall be maintained as a separate and distinct part or portion of the California Building Standards Code pursuant to that title.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.11. Section 18944.11.

On or before July 1, 2009, any state agency that adopts or proposes building standards for plumbing systems shall consider developing building standards that would govern the use of nonwater-supplied urinals for submission to the California Building Standards Commission in accordance with Sections 17921.4 and 18930.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.18. Section 18944.18.

(a) The California Building Standards Commission, in conjunction with the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, shall repeal Section 1226.7 of the 2013 Triennial Edition of the California Building Standards Code, including all cross-references to that section, as soon as possible. The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development is granted emergency regulatory authority to implement this subdivision. Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the regulations adopted under this subdivision shall become permanent without further regulatory action. (b) The State Department of Public Health shall, no later than July 1, 2014, repeal the regulations relating to abortion services in primary care clinics contained in Article 5 (commencing with Section 75040) of Chapter 7 of Division 5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.19. Section 18944.19.

(a) Upon the next triennial update of the California Green Building Standards Code (Part 11 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) that occurs on or after January 1, 2023: (1) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall research and develop, and may propose for adoption, mandatory building standards for short-term and long-term bicycle parking in multifamily residential buildings, hotels, and motels. (2) The commission shall research and develop, and may adopt, revised mandatory building standards for short-term and long-term bicycle parking in nonresidential buildings. (b) In developing the standards pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a), the Department of Housing and Community Development and the commission shall develop minimum mandatory bicycle parking standards using a method that is independent of the number of vehicle parking spaces.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18944.21. Section 18944.21.

(a) Not later than July 1, 2023, the commission shall consider whether to adopt the most recent versions of the following consensus safety standards, to be codified and published in the California Building Standards Code: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 15-2019; ASHRAE Standard 34-2019; Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 60335-2-89 2nd edition; and UL 60335-2-40 3rd edition. (b) If the commission does not adopt all of the consensus safety standards listed in subdivision (a), then effective July 1, 2024, no state or local building code provision shall prohibit the use of a refrigerant listed as acceptable under Section 7671k of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.), provided each use is installed in accordance with the most recent version of ASHRAE Standard 15 and the applicable listing standard, such as UL 60335-2-89 or UL 60335-2-40.

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