Updated : 04/22/2024
Overview
Oakland amended some parts of the 2013 California Building Standards Code; specifically, the City amended California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code and California Green Building Standards Code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.005.
Oakland adopted and amended the 2013 California Fire Code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code §§ 15.12.010 and 15.12.020.
Helpful resources for Oakland, California include the following.
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.
Oakland 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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2022 California Residential Code (2021 IRC)(Oakland, CA Part 2.5 - Administrative Amendments to the California Residential Code)
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Comments
Oakland amended the 2013 California Residential Code, including some the Administrative Provisions in the resdiential code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code ch. 15.04, art. III pt. 5 and art. II pt. 6.
PLRB did not find Oakland's amendments to Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria in the City's Municipal Code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code ch. 15.04, art. III pt. 5 and art. II pt. 6 (accessed 3/12/2015).
Commercial Building Code
Oakland 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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2022 California Bldg. Code, Part 2 (2021 IBC)(Oakland, CA Municipal Code)
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Comments
Oakland amended the 2013 California Building Code, including some the Administrative Provisions in the state building code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code ch. 15.04, art. III pt. 1 and art. II pt. 1.
PLRB did not find Oakland's amendments to Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria in the City's Municipal Code. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code ch. 15.04, art. III pt. 5 and art. II pt. 6 (accessed 3/12/2015).
Existing Buildings
First, Oakland amended the provisions of the California Existing Building Code by:
Deleteing the word "replacement" in: "Section 3404.1.1 Replacement, retention and extension of original materials [HCD 1]” from the title and the first sentence, Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.686; "Section 3401.4.1 Existing materials … [HCD 1]”, Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.683 ; and "Section 3405.1.2 Replacement, retention and extension of original materials [HCD 1]”, Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.687. And, the City amended Section “3408.1 Conformance” [as applied to change in occupancy], Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.689; Section “3408.4 Seismic”, Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.691 and Section “3411.5 Additions” [as applied to “Accessibility for Existing Buildings”], Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.694.
Next, Oakland deleted and replaced text in:
- Section 3401.2 [Maintenance] with "Buildings, structures, portions thereof, and fire-protection, detection, and alarm systems shall be maintained in accordance with the Oakland Building Maintenance Code and the Oakland Fire Code." Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.682.
- Exception 1 of Section 3404.1
Where the partial repair of a stairway, guardrail, or handrail does not exceed 33% of the existing section of repaired elements, and the existing section is in accordance with the code that was current at the time of original construction, and the existing section does not continue or exacerbate an unsafe condition, then the repair may match the existing construction. Repairs to existing stairways with masonry or concrete surfacing exceeding four inches in thickness and supported by wood framing may conform with the provisions of this section.
If the repair of the wood framing does not exceed 33% of the existing wood frame section being repaired, and the masonry or concrete surfacing is in sound condition with nothing more than shrinkage cracks, and the rise and run of the stairway are in accordance with the code that was current at the time of original construction, and the stairway has positive drainage and has not settled excessively towards or away from the building; and the existing section does not continue or exacerbate an existing condition, the repair may match the existing construction.
All replacement of the wood framing supporting the masonry or concrete surfacing shall be factory pressure preservative treated. All replacement wood framing within six inches of the ground shall be pressure preservative treated approved for direct ground contact. All end field cuts of pressure preservative treated wood shall be properly treated with preservative.
(Ord. No. 13200, § 3(Exh. A), 11-19-2013)
Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.685.
3. Section 3411.4.1 [Partial change in occupancy] , with, "Where a portion of the building is changed to a new occupancy classification, any alterations shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 11A or 11B as applicable for new construction.
(Ord. No. 13200, § 3(Exh. A), 11-19-2013)
Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.692.
4. Section 3411.4.2 [Complete change of occupancy], with," Where an entire building undergoes a change of occupancy, it shall comply with Chapter 11A or 11B as applicable for new construction.
(Ord. No. 13200, § 3(Exh. A), 11-19-2013)
Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.693.
Finally, Oakland deleted the following:
Sections “3411.6 Alterations”, “3411.7 Alterations affecting an area containing a primary function”, “3411.8 Scoping for alterations”, and “3411.9 Historic buildings”, all with respect to Section 3411 [“Accessibility for Existing Buildings”]. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.695
Sections “3406.1.1 New buildings” [as applied to Fire Escapes], “3406.1.3 New fire escapes”, “3406.1.4 Limitation” [fire escapes], “3406.2 Location” [fire escapes], “3406.3 Construction” [fire escapes], “3406.4 Dimensions” [fire escapes]. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.688
Sections “3408.3 Stairways” [as applied to change in occupancy], and “3412 Compliance Alternatives”. Oakland, Cal., Muni Code § 15.04.690
