The 2016 California Building Standards Code, Title 24, California Code of Regulations (13 Parts) was published on or before July 1 and is now available.
Effective Date and Application of the 2016 California Building Standards Code:
Jan. 1, 2017 is the statewide effective date, established by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), for the 2016 California Building Standards Code. All applications for a building permit that occur on or after Jan. 1, 2017 are subject to compliance with the 2016 Code. The 2013 California Building Standards Code remains in effect and is applicable to all plans and specifications, for, and to the construction performed where the application for a building permit is received on or before Dec. 31.
Enforcement Responsibility:
The California Building Standards Code is the established minimum standard for the design and construction of buildings and structures in California. State law mandates that local government enforce Title 24 standards or approved local ordinances (see Amendment by Local Ordinance that follows). Exceptions are building standards applicable to hospitals, state buildings, public schools and colleges that are subject to enforcement by state agencies.
Amendment by Local Ordinance:
Local ordinances that amend Title 24 building standards are subject to requirements of California law and must be enacted and filed for each edition of the California Building Standards Code. Ordinances generally must exercise more restrictive standards than the building standards approved/adopted by the commission. These amendments must be filed and accepted, as appropriate, with CBSC, the Department of Housing and Community Development or the State Historical Building Safety Board before they are enforceable at the local level.