Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

The California Building Standards Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations) applies in Orange County. The county adopted by reference some relevant parts of the California Building Standards Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-1-12, 7-2-1, 7-5-1, 7-3-1, . The county amended the following parts of the California Building Standards Code:

• The California Building Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-1-13 to 7-1-46 at "Division 1. Building Regulations", Article 2. Building and Structures.
• The California Residential Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-1-47 to 7-1-54 at "Division 1. Building Regulations", Article 2. Building and Structures.
• The California Electrical Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §.7-2-2 to 7-2-13 at Division 2. Adoption of the 2011 National Electrical Code and the 2013 California Electrical Code.
• The California Mechanical Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-5-3 to 7-5-8 at "Division 5. Regulations pertaining to Mechanical and solar Energy Appliances", Article 1. Adoption of Uniform Mechanical code, 2011 Edition and the California Mechanical Code, 2013 Edition and Amendements thereto.
• The California Plumbing Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-3-16 and 7-3-17.
• The California Green Building Standards Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-1-55 and 7-1-56.

Helpful resources for Orange County, 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.

Orange County 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)(Orange County, CA Sec. 7-1-12. - Adoption of California Building Code, International Building Code, California Residential Code, California Energy Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Historical Building Code, and California Existing Building Code.)

...The Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange hereby adopts the California Residential Code, 2022 Edition, including Appendix AH and Appendix AX. Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code is replaced with Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code with County amendments....

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: Yes

Ice Barrier

Comments

Orange County amended the Administrative Provisions of  the California Residential Code by replacing "Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Residential Code" with "Division II of Chapter 1 of the California Building Code with County amendments".   Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §7-1-12a. The county amended Table R301.2(1) of the IRC adopted by the State. Sec. 7-1-47. Table R301.2(1) amended.

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 county did not adopt Appendix J of the IRC.

Commercial Building Code

Orange County 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)(Orange County, CA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

Orange County amended the Administrative Provisions of the 2013 California Building Code. Orange County, Cal., Muni. Code §§ 7-1-13, 7-1-14, 7-1-15, 7-1-16, 7-1-17, 7-1-18, 7-1-19, 7-1-20, 7-1-21, 7-1-22, 7-1-23, 7-1-24 and 7-1-25. The county adopted Appendices C and I of the 2012 IBC, but did not adopt Chapters 1, 11, 27, 28 and 29 of the 2012 IBC. The county also amended sections of the 2013 California building Code and 2012 IBC, as follows:

Roofing fasteners required for tile roofs in unincorporated areas of the county. Sec. 7-1-26. Section 1507.3 amended.

 

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