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Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.2 — BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION

2025 California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1.2.1 BSC. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated. 1. State buildings for all occupancies.

Application— State buildings (all occupancies), including buildings constructed by the Trustees of the California State University (CSU) and the Regents of the University of California (UC) where no state agency has the authority to adopt building standards applicable to such buildings.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 18934.5.

Reference— Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901.

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

ADMINISTRATION

2. University of California, California State Universities and California Community Colleges.

Application— Standards for lighting for parking lots and primary campus walkways at the University of California, California State Universities and California Community Colleges.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Government Code Section 14617.

Reference— Government Code Section 14617.

3. Existing state-owned buildings, including those owned by the University of California and by the California State University.

Application— Building seismic retrofit standards including abating falling hazards of structural and nonstructural components and strengthening of building structures. See also Division of the State Architect.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 16600.

Reference— Health and Safety Code Sections 16600 through 16604. 4. Unreinforced masonry-bearing wall buildings.

Application— Minimum seismic strengthening standards for buildings specified in Appendix Chapter A1 of the California Existing Building Code, except for buildings subject to building standards pursuant to Health and Safety Code (commencing) with Section 17910.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Section 18934.7.

Reference— Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901.

1.2.1.1 State building. For purposes of this code, a “state building” is a structure for which a state agency or state entity has authority to construct, alter, enlarge, replace, repair or demolish.

1.2.1.2 Enforcement. [CSU, UC, Judicial Council and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] State agencies or state entities authorized to construct state buildings may appoint a building official who is responsible to the agency for enforcement of the provisions of the California Building Standards Code.

Exception: State buildings regulated by other sections of this code remain the enforcement responsibility of the designated entities.

1.2.1.3 Enforcement. Reserved for DGS.

1.2.1.4 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym BSC .

1.2.2 BSC-CG. Specific scope of application of the agency responsible for enforcement, the enforcement agency and the specific authority to adopt and enforce such provisions of this code, unless otherwise stated. 1. Green building standards for nonresidential occupancies.

Application— All occupancies where no state agency has the authority to adopt green building standards applicable to those occupancies.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health and Safety Code Sections 18930.5(a), 18938 and 18940.5.

Reference— Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.5, commencing with Section 18901. 2. Graywater systems for nonresidential occupancies.

Application— The construction, installation and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses in nonresidential occupancies.

Enforcing agency— State or local agency specified by the applicable provisions of law.

Authority cited— Health & Safety Code Section 18941.8.

Reference— Health & Safety Code Section 18941.8.

1.2.2.1 Adopting agency identification. The provisions of this code applicable to buildings identified in this section will be identified in the Matrix Adoption Tables under the acronym BSC-CG .

1.2.3 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety.

1.2.3.1 Research reports. Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.

1-6 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE

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

ADMINISTRATION

1.2.3.2 Tests. Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a material or method does not conform to the requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials or methods, the building official shall have the authority to require tests as evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction. Test methods shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test methods, the building official shall approve the testing procedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency. Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building official for the period required for retention of public records.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
2025 California Existing Building Code (Title 24, Part 10)
  1. ▸ Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
    Overview
    1. Section 1.1 — GENERAL
    2. Section 1.2 — BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION
    3. Section 1.3 — BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
    4. Section 1.4 — DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
    5. Section 1.5 — CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
    6. Section 1.6 — DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
    7. Section 1.7 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
    8. Section 1.8 — DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
    9. Section 1.8.2 — AUTHORITY AND ABBREVIATIONS
    10. Section 1.8.3 — LOCAL ENFORCING AGENCY
    11. Section 1.8.4 — PERMITS, FEES, APPLICATIONS AND INSPECTIONS
    12. Section 1.8.5 — RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR ENFORCEMENT
    13. Section 1.8.6 — LOCAL MODIFICATION BY ORDINANCE OR REGULATION
    14. Section 1.8.7 — ALTERNATE MATERIALS, DESIGNS, TESTS AND METHOD…
    15. Section 1.8.8 — APPEALS BOARD
    16. Section 1.8.9 — UNSAFE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
    17. Section 1.8.10 — OTHER BUILDING REGULATIONS
    18. Section 1.9 — DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
    19. Section 1.10 — DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND INFORMATIO…
    20. Section 1.11 — OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
    21. Section 1.12 — STATE LIBRARIAN
    22. Section 1.13 — DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
    23. Section 1.14 — CALIFORNIA STATE LANDS COMMISSION
    24. Section 101 — SCOPE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    25. Section 102 — APPLICABILITY
    26. Section 103 — CODE COMPLIANCE AGENCY
    27. Section 104 — DUTIES AND POWERS OF CODE OFFICIAL
    28. Section 105 — PERMITS
    29. Section 106 — CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
    30. Section 107 — TEMPORARY USES, EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
    31. Section 108 — FEES
    32. Section 109 — INSPECTIONS
    33. Section 110 — CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
    34. Section 111 — SERVICE UTILITIES
    35. Section 112 — MEANS OF APPEALS
    36. Section 113 — VIOLATIONS
    37. Section 114 — STOP WORK ORDER
    38. Section 115 — UNSAFE STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT
    39. Section 116 — EMERGENCY MEASURES
    40. Section 117 — DEMOLITION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
  4. Chapter 3A — PROVISIONS FOR ALL COMPLIANCE METHODS
  5. Chapter 4 — REPAIRS
  6. Chapter 4A — REPAIRS
  7. Chapter 5 — PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD
  8. Chapter 5A — PRESCRIPTIVE COMPLIANCE METHOD
  9. Chapter 6 — CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
  10. Chapter 7 — ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 1
  11. Chapter 8 — ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 2
  12. Chapter 9 — ALTERATIONS—LEVEL 3
  13. Chapter 10 — CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
  14. Chapter 11 — ADDITIONS
  15. Chapter 12 — HISTORIC BUILDINGS
  16. Chapter 13 — PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE METHODS
  17. Chapter 14 — RELOCATED OR MOVED BUILDINGS
  18. Chapter 15 — CONSTRUCTION SAFEGUARDS
  19. Chapter 16 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  20. Appendix A — GUIDELINES FOR THE SEISMIC RETROFIT OF EXISTING B…
  21. Appendix B — SUPPLEMENTARY ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXIS…
  22. Appendix C — GUIDELINES FOR THE WIND RETROFIT OF EXISTING BUIL…
  23. Appendix D — BOARD OF APPEALS
  24. Appendix E — TEMPORARY EMERGENCY USES
  25. Appendix A — GUIDELINES ON FIRE RATINGS OF ARCHAIC MATERIALS A…

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