CHAPTER 13.5. Buildings With Concrete or Reinforced Masonry Column or Wall Construction [8894. - 8894.3.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 13.5.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 8894. Section 8894.

(a) The State Architect, in consultation with the State Building Standards Commission, the California Council of the American Institute of Architects, the California Building Officials, the International Conference of Building Officials, the Structural Engineers Association of California, the Seismic Safety Commission, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Concrete Masonary Association of California and Nevada, the Community Associations Institute, the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California, the California Building Owners and Managers Association, the California Hotel and Motel Association, the California Housing Council, Inc., the California Apartment Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Business Properties Association, the California Association of Realtors, the California Supervisors Association, the Executive Council of Homeowners, and the League of California Cities shall develop seismic retrofit guidelines and standards for buildings enclosing more than 20,000 square feet of floor area with concrete or reinforced masonry column or wall construction by January 1, 1996. (b) The State Architect shall publish a commentary explaining the seismic retrofit guidelines and standards and their use by January 1, 1996. The seismic retrofit standards shall be submitted to the State Building Standards Commission, and shall be made available to other interested parties. (c) On or before July 1, 1997, the State Building Standards Commission shall adopt, approve, codify, and publish by reference in the California Building Standards Code, the seismic retrofit standards developed pursuant to this chapter. (d) On or before August 1, 1997, the State Building Standards Commission shall submit the seismic retrofit standards to the International Conference of Building Officials for consideration and adoption into model codes, as defined in Section 18916 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 8894.1. Section 8894.1.

This chapter shall not apply to potentially hazardous (unreinforced masonry) buildings covered under Chapter 12.2 (commencing with Section 8875), any building covered under Chapter 13.4 (commencing with Section 8893), school buildings covered under Article 3 (commencing with Section 17280) of Chapter 3 of Part 10.5 of the Education Code, hospital buildings covered under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 129675) of Part 7 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, and historical buildings covered under Part 2.7 (commencing with Section 18950) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 8894.2. Section 8894.2.

“Seismic retrofit” means retrofitting or reconstruction of an existing building or structure, to significantly reduce structural collapse and falling hazards from structural or nonstructural components of any building or structure including, but not limited to, parapets, appendages, cornices, hanging objects, and building cladding that poses serious danger to the occupants or adjacent areas. “Seismic retrofit” also means either structural strengthening or providing the means necessary to modify the seismic response that would otherwise be expected by an existing building or structure during an earthquake, so as to significantly reduce hazards to life and safety while also providing for the substantial safe ingress and egress of the building occupants immediately after an earthquake. Alternatively, “seismic retrofit” means to strengthen an existing building or structure, so as to improve or allow the building or structure to remain functional immediately after an earthquake.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 8894.3. Section 8894.3.

For purposes of this chapter, the term “in consultation with” means the meaningful and open solicitation of suggestions, ideas, and comments, and the response to these suggestions, ideas, and comments, and the opportunity to participate in meetings by the organizations named in this chapter. Consultation shall include consideration of what constitutes seismic deficiencies and the appropriate measures to correct the deficiencies.

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