# California Building Code - Key Amendments

**Based on**: 2022 California Building Code (CBC)
**Base Code**: IBC 2021 with California amendments
**Authority**: California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)
**Title 24**: California Code of Regulations

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## Quick Reference - California vs. IBC

| Requirement | California | IBC 2021 |
|-------------|------------|----------|
| Accessibility | CBC Chapter 11B (exceeds ADA) | ADA 2010 |
| Energy code | Title 24 Part 6 (CALGreen) | IECC |
| Seismic | Enhanced, fault proximity | Per ASCE 7 |
| Fire sprinklers (R-3) | Required all new | Optional <3 stories |
| Solar ready | Required (residential) | Not required |
| EV charging | Required new construction | Not required |
| Greywater ready | Required (residential) | Not required |

---

## Title 24 Parts

| Part | Code | Description |
|------|------|-------------|
| 1 | Administrative | Enforcement provisions |
| 2 | Building | California Building Code (CBC) |
| 2.5 | Residential | California Residential Code (CRC) |
| 3 | Electrical | California Electrical Code (CEC) |
| 4 | Mechanical | California Mechanical Code (CMC) |
| 5 | Plumbing | California Plumbing Code (CPC) |
| 6 | Energy | California Energy Code |
| 8 | Historical | Historical Building Code |
| 9 | Fire | California Fire Code |
| 10 | Existing Building | Existing Building Code |
| 11 | Green | CALGreen (mandatory + voluntary) |
| 12 | Referenced Standards | CBSC standards |

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## Accessibility (CBC Chapter 11B)

### California Exceeds ADA

| Element | California (11B) | ADA |
|---------|------------------|-----|
| Path of travel width | 48" (4') | 36" |
| Ramp max slope | 1:12 | 1:12 |
| Ramp landing | 60" × 60" | 60" × 60" |
| Door maneuvering (pull) | 60" + 24" | 60" + 18" |
| Parking - van accessible | 1 per 4 accessible | 1 per 6 accessible |
| Signage height | 60" center | 60" center |

### Accessible Parking (11B-502)

| Total Spaces | Standard Accessible | Van Accessible |
|--------------|---------------------|----------------|
| 1-25 | 1 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 26-50 | 2 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 51-75 | 3 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 76-100 | 4 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 101-150 | 5 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 151-200 | 6 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 201-300 | 7 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 301-400 | 8 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 401-500 | 9 | 1 of 4 accessible |
| 501+ | 2% + 1/100 over 500 | 1 of 4 accessible |

### Path of Travel Requirements
- **Width**: 48" minimum (not 36")
- **Passing space**: 60" × 60" every 200'
- **Cross slope**: 2% maximum
- **Changes in level**: 1/4" max without treatment
- **Surface**: Firm, stable, slip-resistant

### Toilet Room Requirements

#### Single-User (11B-603)
- **Size**: 60" × 60" minimum clear floor space
- **Door**: 32" clear, swing out preferred
- **Turning space**: 60" diameter

#### Multi-User (11B-604)
- **Wheelchair stall**: 60" wide × 59" deep (side transfer)
- **Ambulatory stall**: 35"-37" wide (when 6+ fixtures)
- **Lavatory height**: 34" max rim

### Employee Areas
- **Break rooms**: Fully accessible
- **Locker rooms**: Accessible lockers, showers
- **Work areas**: Approach and enter required

---

## Seismic Requirements

### Seismic Design Categories (California)

| Region | Typical SDC | Ss Range |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| Los Angeles | D, E | 1.5-2.5g |
| San Francisco | D, E | 1.5-2.0g |
| San Diego | D | 1.0-1.5g |
| Sacramento | C, D | 0.5-1.0g |
| Near fault zones | E, F | >2.0g |

### Fault Proximity
- **Alquist-Priolo zones**: Special study required
- **Setbacks from fault**: Typically 50' each side
- **Ground motion**: Site-specific analysis required

### Structural Systems (Common)

| System | R | Height Limit SDC D |
|--------|---|-------------------|
| Special steel moment frame | 8 | Unlimited |
| Special concrete moment frame | 8 | Unlimited |
| Special concrete shear wall | 5 | 160' |
| Special steel braced frame | 6 | 160' |
| Wood shear wall (light frame) | 6.5 | 65' |
| Ordinary concrete shear wall | 4 | Not permitted |

### Nonstructural Components
- **Architectural components**: Anchorage per Chapter 13
- **MEP equipment**: Seismic supports required
- **Suspended ceilings**: Bracing per ASTM E580
- **Partitions over 6'**: Bracing required

### Retrofit Requirements
- **Unreinforced masonry (URM)**: Mandatory retrofit in many cities
- **Soft story**: Retrofit ordinances (LA, SF, Oakland)
- **Non-ductile concrete**: Some jurisdictions require evaluation

---

## Fire Protection

### Residential Sprinklers (CRC R313)
- **Required**: ALL new one- and two-family dwellings
- **System type**: NFPA 13D or 13R
- **Exceptions**: Very limited (agricultural, etc.)

### Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)

#### Fire Hazard Severity Zones
| Zone | Description | Requirements |
|------|-------------|--------------|
| VHFHSZ | Very High | Enhanced construction |
| HFHSZ | High | Enhanced construction |
| MFHSZ | Moderate | Standard + defensible space |

#### Chapter 7A Requirements (WUI)
- **Roofing**: Class A required
- **Eaves**: Enclosed or fire-resistant
- **Vents**: Ember-resistant (1/16" mesh with baffles)
- **Exterior walls**: Ignition-resistant materials
- **Windows**: Dual pane or tempered
- **Decks**: Ignition-resistant or noncombustible
- **Defensible space**: 100' minimum

### High-Rise (CBC 403)
- **Definition**: Occupied floor > 75' above fire access
- **Sprinklers**: Throughout
- **Standpipes**: Class I
- **Fire command center**: Required
- **Emergency voice/alarm**: Required
- **Elevator recall**: Required

---

## Energy Code (Title 24 Part 6)

### Climate Zones (16 Zones)

| Zone | Description | Examples |
|------|-------------|----------|
| 1 | Northern coast | Eureka |
| 3 | Central coast | San Francisco |
| 6 | Southern coast | Long Beach |
| 9 | LA basin | Pasadena |
| 10 | Inland valley | Riverside |
| 12 | Central valley | Sacramento |
| 14 | Mountain | Bishop |
| 16 | High mountain | Mammoth |

### Residential Requirements (2022)

#### Envelope
| Element | Zone 3 | Zone 9 | Zone 12 |
|---------|--------|--------|---------|
| Ceiling | R-38 | R-38 | R-38 |
| Wall | R-15+R-4ci | R-13+R-4ci | R-15+R-4ci |
| Floor | R-19 | R-19 | R-30 |
| Windows | U-0.30 | U-0.32 | U-0.32 |

#### Mechanical
- **HVAC sizing**: Per Manual J
- **Duct sealing**: < 5% leakage
- **Duct insulation**: R-6 to R-8
- **Thermostats**: Programmable required

#### Solar Ready/PV
- **New residential**: Solar PV required (since 2020)
- **System size**: Based on CFA and climate zone
- **Battery storage**: Optional incentives

### Commercial Requirements (2022)

#### Lighting Power Density (LPD)
| Space Type | Max LPD (W/sf) |
|------------|----------------|
| Office | 0.65 |
| Retail | 0.84 |
| Classroom | 0.71 |
| Hotel guest room | 0.61 |
| Warehouse | 0.42 |
| Healthcare exam | 1.15 |

#### HVAC Efficiency
- **Economizer**: Required >54 kBtu/h
- **Energy recovery**: When >5,000 CFM OA
- **Demand control ventilation**: Required >500 sf spaces
- **Variable speed drives**: Required on fans/pumps

---

## CALGreen (Title 24 Part 11)

### Mandatory Measures

#### Water Efficiency
- **Indoor water use**: 20% reduction from baseline
- **Toilets**: 1.28 gpf maximum
- **Urinals**: 0.125 gpf maximum
- **Showerheads**: 1.8 gpm maximum
- **Lavatory faucets**: 0.5 gpm (public)

#### Construction Waste
- **Diversion**: 65% minimum from landfill
- **Documentation**: Required for permit

#### Electric Vehicle Charging
| Use | Requirement |
|-----|-------------|
| Residential (new) | EV capable space each unit |
| Multifamily | 10% EVCS, 25% capable |
| Commercial | 6% EVCS, 10% capable |
| Hotels | 6% EVCS |

#### Solar Ready (Non-Residential)
- **Roof area**: 15% unshaded for solar
- **Electrical**: Conduit to panel
- **Structural**: Designed for PV loads

### Voluntary Tiers

| Tier | Description | Points |
|------|-------------|--------|
| Tier 1 | Enhanced | 50 points |
| Tier 2 | Premium | 70 points |

---

## Plumbing (Title 24 Part 5)

### California Plumbing Code Amendments

#### Water Efficiency
- **Lavatory**: 0.5 gpm (public), 1.2 gpm (residential)
- **Kitchen faucet**: 1.8 gpm (new 2021)
- **Toilet**: 1.28 gpf max (1.0 gpf encouraged)
- **Showerhead**: 1.8 gpm max

#### Greywater Systems
- **Ready for greywater**: Required new residential (clothes washer)
- **Greywater stub-out**: 2" to exterior
- **Irrigation ready**: Connection point provided

#### Recycled Water
- **Purple pipe**: Required for non-potable
- **Separation**: From potable supply
- **Signage**: "RECYCLED WATER - DO NOT DRINK"

---

## Local Amendments

### Los Angeles
- **LADBS**: Los Angeles Dept of Building Safety
- **Order of Compliance**: Required for seismic evaluation
- **Soft story ordinance**: Mandatory retrofit
- **Non-ductile concrete**: Evaluation required
- **URM**: Retrofit required

### San Francisco
- **SFDBI**: San Francisco Dept of Building Inspection
- **Soft story ordinance**: Completed program
- **URM**: All retrofitted
- **Accessibility**: Enhanced requirements
- **All-electric**: Required new construction (2021+)

### San Diego
- **Brush management zones**: Fire protection
- **Coastal zone**: California Coastal Commission
- **Water conservation**: Enhanced requirements

### Oakland
- **Soft story**: Retrofit ordinance
- **Seismic**: Enhanced requirements near Hayward Fault

---

## Permit Process

### California-Specific Requirements
- **Title 24 compliance forms**: Required for all permits
- **CF-1R**: Residential energy compliance
- **CF-1R-ENV**: Envelope
- **CF-1R-MECH**: Mechanical
- **NRCC-PRF**: Non-residential performance
- **HERS verification**: Required for residential energy

### DSA (Division of State Architect)
- **Schools (K-12, community college)**: DSA review required
- **Essential services**: DSA or OSHPD
- **Accessibility**: DSA reviews all public schools

### OSHPD (Healthcare)
- **Hospitals**: OSHPD 1
- **Clinics**: OSHPD 3
- **Seismic**: SPC ratings required

---

## Quick Checklists

### New Residential (California)
- [ ] Climate zone determined
- [ ] Title 24 energy compliance (CF-1R)
- [ ] Solar PV sized and designed
- [ ] Fire sprinklers per R313
- [ ] WUI requirements (if applicable)
- [ ] Accessibility per 11B (visitability)
- [ ] CALGreen mandatory measures
- [ ] Greywater ready stub-out
- [ ] EV charging infrastructure
- [ ] HERS testing scheduled

### New Commercial (California)
- [ ] Climate zone determined
- [ ] Title 24 energy compliance method
- [ ] Accessibility per CBC Chapter 11B
- [ ] Fire protection per Type/Use
- [ ] Seismic design category determined
- [ ] CALGreen mandatory measures
- [ ] EV charging per code
- [ ] Solar ready per CALGreen
- [ ] Waste diversion plan
- [ ] Water reduction per CALGreen

### Seismic Considerations
- [ ] Site class determined
- [ ] Fault proximity checked
- [ ] SDC determined
- [ ] Structural system selected
- [ ] Nonstructural bracing designed
- [ ] Special inspections identified
- [ ] Peer review (if required)

### WUI Construction
- [ ] Fire hazard zone verified
- [ ] Chapter 7A requirements applied
- [ ] Class A roofing
- [ ] Enclosed eaves
- [ ] Ember-resistant vents
- [ ] Ignition-resistant exterior
- [ ] Defensible space plan

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## Resources

### California Building Standards Commission
- **Website**: dgs.ca.gov/bsc
- **Code publications**: codes.iccsafe.org/california

### California Energy Commission
- **Title 24 tools**: energy.ca.gov
- **CBECC software**: Compliance software

### Division of State Architect
- **Website**: dgs.ca.gov/dsa
- **Schools and essential services**: DSA jurisdiction

### CAL FIRE
- **Fire hazard maps**: fire.ca.gov
- **WUI requirements**: Chapter 7A enforcement

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*Reference: California Building Standards Code (Title 24) 2022 Edition*
*California amendments are extensive - always verify with local jurisdiction*
*Code updates every 3 years (next edition 2025)*
