2025–26 California Compliance Rules Explained

This guide is written for property owners, HOA boards, developers, and design–build teams across California who need a clear, actionable roadmap to stay compliant in 2025–26. The focus is on Los Angeles, where local mandates layer on top of statewide codes. By following this guide, you will know what laws apply, when deadlines arrive, and how to integrate compliance into planning, budgets, and daily operations.

How Compliance Works in California

California building rules are consolidated in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, known as the California Building Standards Code. Title 24 covers every discipline—structural, fire safety, plumbing, energy, green building, and accessibility.

Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) republishes the full code set. The 2025 Edition was published July 1, 2025 and becomes mandatory January 1, 2026.

Local cities and counties enforce these codes through plan check, permits, and inspections. They may also pass local amendments tailored to seismic risk, wildfire exposure, or climate goals. These amendments must be at least as strict as state minimums.

Other agencies play a role: the State Fire Marshal updates the Fire Code; the Department of Housing and Community Development contributes to residential and green building codes; the Energy Commission controls Part 6; and DSA or HCAI oversee schools and hospitals. But for most projects, your daily contact is your local building department.

Title 24 at a glance

The code is divided into “Parts.” Each part addresses a specific area:

Part	Common Name	Scope	Primary Agency
1	Administrative Code	Administrative provisions, enforcement, appeals	CBSC
2	Building Code (CBC)	Core rules: structural, fire & life safety, egress, materials	CBSC & others
2.5	Residential Code (CRC)	One- and two-family dwellings, townhouses (≤3 stories)	HCD
3	Electrical Code	Electrical systems (based on NEC)	CBSC
4	Mechanical Code	HVAC systems (based on UMC)	CBSC
5	Plumbing Code	Water supply, fixtures, DWV (based on UPC)	CBSC
6	Energy Code	Energy efficiency standards	CEC
8	Historical Building Code	Alternate compliance for historic buildings	Historical Safety Board
9	Fire Code	Fire prevention & operations	State Fire Marshal
10	Existing Building Code	Repairs, alterations, additions, occupancy changes	CBSC
11	CALGreen	Green building standards, sustainability	CBSC / HCD
12	Reference Standards	Technical standards (ASTM, ASME, etc.)	CBSC

Code cycle 2022→2025: publish/effective dates

• 2022 Edition effective Jan 1, 2023.
• 2025 Edition published July 1, 2025, effective Jan 1, 2026.

The rule is simple: the edition that applies is based on the permit application date.

• File before Jan 1, 2026 → 2022 code applies.
• File on/after Jan 1, 2026 → 2025 code applies.

If you expect to file near the changeover, confirm requirements early. Filing under the wrong edition can force redesigns, delays, or costly corrections.

SB 721 & SB 326 (Exterior Elevated Elements)

California adopted two separate balcony and exterior walkway safety laws after fatal collapses. They cover similar elements but apply to different ownership types.

SB 721: Apartment buildings

• Scope: Applies to rental properties with 3 or more units.
• Deadline: First inspection by Jan 1, 2026 (extended one year by AB 2579).
• Frequency: Every 6 years thereafter.
• Sampling: At least 15% of each type of exterior elevated element if not all are fully visible.
• Qualified inspectors: Architect, civil/structural engineer, certified building inspector/official, or licensed contractor (A/B/C-5) with 5+ years’ experience.
• Reporting: Written report to owner. Immediate safety hazards must be reported to local building officials within 15 days; other repairs must follow a 120-day permit application window and 120-day completion timeline.
• Service: SB 721 inspections.

SB 326: Condominiums and HOAs

• Scope: Applies to condo or co-op buildings within HOAs with 3+ attached units.
• Deadline: First inspection by Jan 1, 2025 (not extended).
• Frequency: Every 9 years thereafter.
• Sampling: Statistically significant sample (95% confidence, ±5% error).
• Qualified inspectors: Only licensed structural engineers or architects.
• Reporting: Stamped report to HOA board; summary distributed to members within 15 days of open board meeting. Findings must be integrated into the reserve study. Immediate hazards must be reported promptly to local officials and mitigated immediately.
• Service: SB 326 inspections.

Comparison: SB 721 vs SB 326

Item	SB 721 (Apartments)	SB 326 (HOAs)
Applies to	Rental properties, ≥3 units	Condo/co-op buildings with HOAs, ≥3 units
First deadline	Jan 1, 2026	Jan 1, 2025
Frequency	Every 6 years	Every 9 years
Sampling	≥15% representative	Statistically significant
Inspectors	Architect, engineer, inspector, or certain contractors	Only architect or structural engineer
Reporting	Report to owner; hazards to officials; 120-day repair rule	Report to HOA board; summary to members; integrate into reserve study

Tip: Demand for inspectors surges before deadlines. Book early to avoid shortages and inflated costs.

CALGreen (Part 11): Mandatory requirements

California’s Green Building Standards Code, or CALGreen, sets minimum sustainability practices statewide. These measures are mandatory for new construction and many remodels.

Key requirements include:

• C&D waste diversion: At least 65% of construction and demolition waste must be recycled or salvaged.
• Low-emitting materials: Adhesives, paints, sealants, flooring must comply with VOC limits.
• Indoor water efficiency: High-efficiency fixtures for toilets, faucets, and showers.
• Recycling space: Nonresidential projects must provide designated areas for collection and storage of recyclables.
• Moisture control: Drainage, vapor barriers, and irrigation controls to reduce mold risk.

Implementation tips:

• Place a “CALGreen Notes” sheet in the plan set listing each applicable measure.
• Specify compliant products in construction documents.
• Collect diversion tickets and submittals during construction—don’t wait until final inspection.
• Check local amendments: cities like Los Angeles may elevate CALGreen Tier 1 to mandatory for larger projects.

Treat CALGreen as integral, not optional—plan checkers will flag missing notes, and inspectors will verify compliance before final approval.

Energy Code (Part 6): Prescriptive and performance paths

The 2025 Energy Code applies to permit applications filed on or after Jan 1, 2026. It raises baselines for insulation, HVAC, ventilation, and electrification readiness.

Prescriptive Path

• Follow fixed minimums for each element: wall R-values, window U-factors, lighting power density, HVAC efficiency.
• Simple but inflexible—miss one requirement and you fail.

Performance Path

• Use approved software to model the building.
• Show proposed design’s energy use ≤ baseline energy budget.
• Allows trade-offs (e.g., more glazing offset by solar + storage or better HVAC).
• Common for mid-to-large projects seeking design freedom.

Documentation

• Residential: CF1R (compliance), CF2R (installation), CF3R (verification).
• Nonresidential: NRCC (compliance), NRCI (installation), NRCA (acceptance tests).
• Submit forms with plans; inspectors require installation/verification forms at inspections.

Engage an energy consultant early. Errors discovered late can cascade into redesigns, delays, and change orders.

Accessibility (ADA + CBC 11A/11B) and CASp

California requires accessibility through both federal ADA standards and state CBC Chapters 11A (housing) and 11B (public/commercial). State rules often exceed ADA minimums, so compliance must be documented carefully.

Risks: Non-compliance can result in lawsuits under ADA or California civil rights laws. Even minor issues—door pressure, ramp slope, toilet clearances—can trigger penalties.

CASp inspections are a strong safeguard. A Certified Access Specialist audits the site and produces a report. Properties with CASp inspections and remediation plans may qualify for reduced penalties in case of litigation. For owners, commissioning a CASp is a proactive, cost-effective step.

Include accessibility notes and dimensions in drawings, and schedule CASp reviews for existing facilities to reduce both legal and construction risk.

Local programs that often trigger compliance

In addition to statewide requirements like Title 24, certain local programs in California impose extra obligations on property owners. These programs are usually tied to seismic safety and wildfire risk reduction. Two of the most important examples are found in Los Angeles and in high fire hazard zones.

Los Angeles Soft-Story Retrofit

Los Angeles requires seismic retrofits for weak-story wood-frame buildings. Once an Order to Comply is issued:

• 2 years → Submit retrofit plans or proof of prior compliance.
• 3.5 years → Obtain building permit.
• 7 years → Complete retrofit construction.

Typical retrofits add steel frames or shear walls. Missing deadlines risks enforcement, rent collection issues, or occupancy restrictions. Early engagement of a structural engineer, plus tenant habitability planning, prevents crises.

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and AB 38

Properties in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must meet Chapter 7A construction requirements: Class A roofs, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible siding, tempered glazing, enclosed eaves. Even re-roofing projects trigger compliance.

Separately, AB 38 applies at property sale:

• For 1–4 unit residences in these zones, sellers must provide defensible space compliance documents in escrow.
• If not available, buyers must commit to an inspection within one year of closing.

Maintaining defensible space year-round reduces wildfire risk and avoids transactional delays. Buyers and sellers should prepare for these requirements well before escrow.

Permit submittal checklist

A complete and well-prepared permit package saves weeks of review. Common expectations across California jurisdictions include:

• Full plan set: Architectural (site, floor, elevations, sections, details), structural, MEP, and civil as needed. Plans must be scaled, legible, and often signed and stamped by licensed design professionals.
• Supporting reports: Structural calculations, soils or geology reports (for new buildings or hillside work), energy compliance documentation (CF1R/NRCC forms), CALGreen notes or checklist.
• Accessibility: Clear dimensions for required clearances, slopes, and turning radii; path-of-travel compliance for public-facing or common areas.
• Code summary: Cover sheet showing occupancy, construction type, square footage, building height, sprinklers, egress load, and applicable code editions (2022 or 2025).

Many jurisdictions also require intake checklists and specialized forms (e.g., plumbing or mechanical worksheets, hazardous materials declarations). Missing documents cause resubmittals, so it pays to confirm requirements before filing.

Common risks & how to avoid them

Risk 1: Code changeover confusion. Filing close to Jan 1, 2026 without aligning with the correct code edition can force redesigns. Always confirm the effective edition with your building department before submittal.

Risk 2: Overlooking mandated inspections/upgrades. SB 721, SB 326, LA soft-story, and WUI/AB 38 are separate from Title 24—but legally binding. Maintain a compliance calendar for each property.

Risk 3: Accessibility liability. Even small oversights can trigger lawsuits. Engage a CASp early and integrate corrections into project scope.

Risk 4: Documentation gaps. Missing CALGreen or Energy forms stall approvals. Embed them directly in the plan set to prevent reviewers from missing them.

Proactive planning and early expert involvement are the best shields against these risks.

Owner/HOA playbooks

Different ownership models face different compliance strategies. Apartment owners covered under SB 721 and condo HOAs covered under SB 326 must plan, budget, and schedule inspections in very different ways. Below are practical playbooks tailored to each group.

Apartment owners (SB 721)

• Inventory all properties with ≥3 units and exterior elevated elements.
• Book inspections well before the Jan 1, 2026 deadline.
• Budget for likely repairs (wood replacement, waterproofing, railing upgrades).
• Retain inspection reports for at least two cycles (12 years).
• Integrate balcony maintenance into ongoing property management.

Condo HOAs (SB 326)

• Inform members about the Jan 1, 2025 deadline and purpose of inspections.
• Hire licensed structural engineers or architects with HOA experience.
• Schedule phased inspections to ease access and reduce disruption.
• Integrate findings into reserve studies and budgets.
• Share summaries promptly with members to comply with legal requirements.

Quick-reference: Key dates & triggers

Requirement / Event	Deadline	Trigger
2025 Title 24 published	July 1, 2025	Start preparing designs for new standards
2025 Title 24 effective	Jan 1, 2026	Applies to permits filed on/after this date
SB 721 (Apartments)	Jan 1, 2026	First inspections due; repeat every 6 years
SB 326 (HOAs)	Jan 1, 2025	First inspections due; repeat every 9 years
LA Soft-Story – Plans	2 years from Order	Submit retrofit plans or proof
LA Soft-Story – Permit	3.5 years from Order	Obtain permit
LA Soft-Story – Completion	7 years from Order	Finish retrofit construction
AB 38 defensible space	Ongoing	Applies at escrow for 1–4 unit homes in High/Very High FHSZ

How AGGCG fits

AGGCG supports property owners and HOAs with inspection, retrofit, and compliance services:

• Licensed teams for SB 721 inspections and SB 326 inspections.
• Structural expertise for Los Angeles soft-story retrofits.
• Exterior remodeling services for façade upgrades, wildfire hardening, and code-driven repairs.
• Integration of CALGreen and Energy Code documentation into plan sets to streamline approvals.

The focus is on practical compliance—keeping projects on schedule while meeting legal and safety requirements.

Conclusion

California’s 2025–26 compliance cycle brings significant updates, from Title 24 code changes to mandated balcony inspections, CALGreen waste diversion, stricter energy standards, accessibility enforcement, seismic retrofits, and wildfire obligations.

The most effective strategy is proactive planning:

• Know which deadlines apply to your property type.
• Prepare documentation early to avoid permit delays.
• Engage licensed professionals before the last-minute rush.

With foresight and the right partners, compliance becomes predictable. Property owners, HOAs, and developers who act early will protect residents, reduce liability, and keep projects moving smoothly.

FAQ about California Building Compliance