Title 24 Overview
What is Title 24?
Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, known as the California Building Standards Code or just "Title 24," contains the regulations that govern the construction of buildings in California. Title 24 is composed of 12 "parts." Each of these parts is described below.
Visit the California Building Standards Commission homepage (click on "CCR, Title 24") for information regarding where to find or purchase any part of Title 24.
The 2007 edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) became effective on January 1, 2008. Projects submitted to DSA on or after this date must be designed and constructed in compliance with the 2007 edition of Title 24.
All approved supplements and errata to the 2007 edition Title 24 are available online at the Building Standards Commission website. Supplements are applicable to any project submitted to DSA on or after the effective date of the supplement (the effective date is typically six months after the publication date of the supplement).
Part 1 - California Building Standards Administrative Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Building Standards Administrative Code (CBSAC) contains administrative regulations of the California Building Standards Commission and administrative regulations of all State agencies that implement or enforce building standards.
Part 2 - California Building Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Building Code (CBC) contains general building design and construction requirements relating to fire and life safety, structural safety, and access compliance. CBC provisions provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures and certain equipment. Provisions of the 2007 CBC became effective January 1, 2008. Part 2 is pre-assembled with the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) with necessary California amendments. This part has been published in two volumes:
Volume 1 contains Chapters 1 through 15.
Volume 2 contains Chapters 16 through 35, Appendix Chapter 1 and Appendices A through J.
Matrix Adoption tables have now been provided at beginning of every chapter in Part 2 to indicate what chapters and sections are adopted by state agencies (for application to their respective occupancies).
Since publication of Part 2 in 2 volumes was done as a convenience, Volume 2 now also contains Parts 7, 8 and 10.
Part 3 - California Electrical Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Electrical Code (CEC) contains electrical design and construction standards. Provisions contained in the CEC provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property, and public welfare, and to protect against hazards that may arise from the use of electricity by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location and operation of electrical equipment, wiring, and systems. This volume is pre-assembled with the 2005 Edition of the National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) with necessary California amendments. Please note that the 2007 CEC became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 4 - California Mechanical Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Mechanical Code (CMC) contains mechanical design and construction standards. Provisions contained in the CMC provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances. This code is pre-assembled with the 2006 Edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code of the International Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Officials (IAPMO) with necessary California amendments. Please note that the 2007 CMC became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 5 - California Plumbing Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Plumbing Code (CPC) contains plumbing design and construction standards. Provisions contained in the CPC provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare. It also protects against hazards that may arise from the use of plumbing piping and systems by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location and operation of plumbing piping systems within the State of California. This code is pre-assembled with the 2006 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) with necessary California amendments. Please note that the 2007 CPC became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 6 - California Energy Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Energy Code contains energy conservation standards applicable to all residential and non-residential buildings throughout California, including schools. Please note that the 2007 Edition of the California Energy Code is a republication of the 2005 California Energy Efficiency Standards.
Part 7 - California Elevator Safety Construction Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Elevator Safety Construction Code (CESCC) refers to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8, Divisions 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders. These orders contain elevator construction standards and standards for special access (wheelchair) lifts. These standards are enforced by the California Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH), better known as Cal-OSHA. Please note that the Part 7 item is contained in Title 8 and a referral page is included in CBC Volume 2.
Part 8 - California Historical Building Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Historical Building Code (CHBC) contains regulations of the State Historical Building Safety Board. Provisions contained in the CHBC provide for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, relocation, or reconstruction of buildings or structures designated as qualified historical buildings or properties. The CHBC contains alternative solutions for the preservation of qualified historical buildings or properties, to provide access for persons with disabilities, to provide a cost effective approach to preservation, and to provide for the reasonable safety of the occupants or users. Please note that the 2007 Triennial Edition of the CHBC became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 9 - California Fire Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Fire Code (CFC) contains regulations consistent with nationally recognized accepted practices for safeguarding, to a reasonable degree, life and property from the hazards of:
Fire and explosion.
Dangerous conditions arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous materials and devices.
Hazardous conditions in the use or occupancy of buildings or premises.
The CFC also contains provisions to assist emergency response personnel. These fire-safety-related building standards are referenced in other parts of Title 24. This code is pre-assembled with the 2006 Edition of the International Fire Code with necessary California amendments. Please note that the 2007 Triennial Edition of the CFC became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 10 - California Existing Building Code
The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) adopts certain provisions of the International Existing Building Code, Appendix Chapter A1, Seismic Strengthening Provisions for Unreinforced Masonry Bearing Wall Buildings. Please note that the 2007 Triennial Edition of the California Existing Building Code became effective January 1, 2008.
Part 11 - Reserved for the California Green Building Standards Code
Part 12 - California Reference Standards Code
The 2007 Edition of the California Referenced Standards Code (CRSC) contains minimum test and reference standards required by the California Building Standards Code. Please note that the 2007 Edition of the CRSC became effective January1, 2008.