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2022 Building Standards Code Changes

Every three years, the State adopts new building model codes to establish uniform standards for construction and maintenance. Changes to the model code affect all new building permit applications submitted on or after January 1st, 2023. Please review the summary documents below outlining code updates, including residential, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes.

Summaries of 2022 Building Code Changes

Topics

FAQs on New 2022 California Building Code

Q: What is a completed permit application?

A: A completed permit application is a formal building permit such as an RBC, RB, B, and trade permits (MEP). BW permits are not formal permits, as they are placeholder pending assignment and issuance of a formal building permit.

Q: What is the California Building Standards Code?

A: The California Building Standards Code (CBSC) is maintained by the California Building Standards Commission (www.bsc.ca.gov) and contains the codes and laws that regulate the construction of all buildings and structures in the State of California. The CBSC is Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) and consists of twelve parts: Five (5) parts are authored by the State of California and seven (7) parts are based on model codes that are authored by various model code writing bodies.

The new 2022 California Building Standards Code includes:

  • Part 1, 2022 California Administrative Code (CAC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 2, 2022 California Building Code (CBC), which is based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 2.5, 2022 California Residential Code (CRC), which is based on the 2022 International Residential Code (IRC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 3, 2022 California Electrical Code (CEC), which is based on the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  • Part 4, 2022 California Mechanical Code (CMC), which is based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
  • Part 5, 2022 California Plumbing Code (CPC), which is based on the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Part 6, 2022 California Energy Code (CEC), which is written by the California Energy Commission (CEC), and published by the California Building Standards Commission
  • Part 8, 2022 California Historical Building Code (CHBC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 9, 2022 California Fire Code (CFC), which is based on the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 10, 2022 California Existing Building Code (CEBC), which is based on the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)
  • Part 11, 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC), which is based on the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) published by the California Building Standards Commission
  • Part 12, 2022 California Referenced Standards Code (CRSC) published by the International Code Council (ICC)

Q. Why did the codes change?

A: In compliance with State law, the California Building Standards Code is revised and updated every three (3) years. The newest edition of the California Building Standards Code is the 2022 edition with an effective date of January 1, 2023. The City of Oakland is required by State law to enforce the new code.

Q: When is the new 2022 California Building Standards Code effective?

A: The new 2022 California Building Standards Code will become effective January 1, 2023.

All permits applied for after January 1, 2023, must comply with the new 2022 California Building Standards Codes.

Q: If a project is submitted for plan check to the Building Bureau prior to January 1, 2023, what codes are applicable to the project?

A: The codes applicable to the project will be the current California Building Standards Codes:

2019 California Building Code

2019 California Electrical Code

2019 California Mechanical Code

2019 California Plumbing Code

2019 California Fire Code

2019 California Energy Code

Q: Can a project that is submitted for plan check to the Building Division prior to January 1, 2023, be reviewed for compliance with the new 2022 California Building Standards Code?

A: Per Building Code Directive 20-01, projects may request use of newer codes as they are more evolved and presumably provide better criteria for protecting life and property.

During plan check, when requested by an applicant, it is permissible to use the latest code version that has been adopted by the City of Oakland to review and approve the project. This must be clearly indicated on the plans and entered in the permits tracking system.

In electing to use the current code in effect, the applicant may not mix requirements between the previous and the current codes, the entire project must comply with all the requirement of the current code version.

Also, all other relevant codes such fire, electrical, mechanical and structural must be applied from the same code edition.

For example, if the plans were submitted while the 2019 codes were in effect, and the applicant would like it checked under the new 2022 codes, we will accept this request as long as the 2022 codes have been adopted by the City of Oakland and all the requirements are applied from 2022 code editions during the plan check process.

Once the permit is issued, the applicant may not request the use of a different code, unless they reapply for the permit.

Q: My application to the Planning Division (Design Review, Administrative Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, etc.) has been determined to be complete and/or approved prior to January 1, 2023. What codes are applicable to my project?

A: The submittal/approval dates to/from any other City Department has no bearing on which California Building Standards Code a project must comply with. The specific edition of California Building Standards Code a project must comply with is solely determined by the date of building permit application (plan check submittal) to the Building Division. (Health & Safety Code Section 18938).

Q. Can specific sections and/or parts from both the old code and the new code be used in the design and construction of a building or structure?

A: No… A construction project must comply with the code that is applicable to the project. Sections and/or parts from different editions of the codes cannot be intermixed.

Q. If my project was permitted under the 2019 California Building Standards Code and I need to revise my approved plans, which edition of the codes will be applicable?

A: It depends on the type of revisions being made. A simple minor clarification will not necessitate the need to revise the plans to comply with the new 2022 California Building Standards Code. A major change and/or addition to a project will need to comply with the new 2022 California Building Standards Code. Each specific case will need to be reviewed by the Building Bureau to determine which edition of the California Building Standards Code the revisions must comply with.

Q: If I applied for a building permit prior to January 1, 2023, when will my building permit application expire?

A: Applications for building permit (plan check process) for which a permit is not issued within 180 days following the date of initial submission shall expire by limitation and become null and void. The Building Official may grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding (180 days) each on request by the applicant showing circumstances beyond control of the applicant that prevented action from being taken. (OMC 15.04.1.135).

Q. If my permit was issued under the 2019 California Building Standards Code, when will it expire?

A: Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on site authorized by such permit is commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after the time the work is commenced. Work which does not receive a major inspection, as further defined in Section 15.04.2.240, and approval or partial approval within one hundred eighty (180) days shall be deemed suspended or abandoned and be subject to abatement action in accordance with OMC Section 15.08.340. Permits shall expire after seven hundred twenty (720) days from date of issuance. The Building Official is authorized, upon payment of fees prescribed in the Master Fee Schedule, to grant in writing, one (1) or more extensions of time, for periods not more than one hundred eighty (180) days each. The extension request shall be in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated (OMC 15.04.1.135).

Q. How can I find out what the changes are from the old code to the new code?

A: By reviewing the Code Summaries, studying the new codes themselves; buying and studying the various handbooks, training manuals, code change analyses available; and attending classes and training seminars on the new codes offered by various professional organizations: www.iccsafe.org, www.iapmo.org; https://www.calbo.org/, or Contact the Building Bureau for assistance.

Q: Where can I find and/or purchase the new 2022 California Building Standards Code?

A: The new 2022 CBSC is currently available for purchase from technical bookstores or directly from the International Code Council, at www.iccsafe.org. The 2002 codes are available to view via the BSC website: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Cod.... As of January 1, 2023, the new 2022 California Building Standards Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Oakland will be available for public inspection via City of Oakland amendments to the California Building Codes.

About

California's Building Standards Code has changed under the state's three-year update cycle. Changes to the code affect all new building permit applications submitted on or after January 1st, 2023. The City of Oakland is providing summaries of significant changes to the code (see above). Please consult the published California Building Standards Code for specific language and applicable City of Oakland amendments.