Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Berkeley adopted some parts of the 2013 California Building Standards Code; specifically, the City adopted the 2013 California Building, Residential, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Green Building Standard and Fire Codes, and the 2013 California Energy Code. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code §§ 19.28.010, 19.29.010, 19.32.010, 19.30.010, 19.34.010, 19.37.010, 19.48.010 and 19.36.010.

Helpful resources for Berkeley, California include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for California

Residential Building Code

California adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB, California Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Berkeley adopted the 2012 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2019 California Residential Code (2018 IRC)(City of Berkeley, CA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: Yes

Ice Barrier

Comments

Berkeley adopted the 2013  California Residential Code, including Appendix H. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.29.010. 

The City amended Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria  of the adopted 2013 California Residential Code, and did not require ice barriers for roofs. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.29.040.

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

The City did not adopt Appendix J [Existing Buildings and Structures] of the adopted 2013 California Residential Code. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.29.010. 

Commercial Building Code

Berkeley adopted the 2012 IBC, statewide with limitations. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2019 California Bldg. Code, Part 2 (2018 IBC)(City of Berkeley, CA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

. See Gen.code(City of Berkeley, CA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

Berkeley adopted the 2013 California Building Code, including Appendix J [Grading], and amended the adopted code. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.28.010;  Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code ch. 19.28.

The City also adopted the 2013 California Historical Building Code and California Existing Building Code. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.28.010.

The City's adopted and amended 2013 California Building Code, and the adopted 2013 California Historical Building and Existing Building Codes are collectively known the "Berkeley Building Code". Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.28.010.

Existing Buildings

The City adopted the 2013 California Historical Building Code and California Existing Building Code. Berkeley, Cal., Muni Code § 19.28.010.