The California Historical Building Code (CHBC) is one of the most effective tools for preserving historic buildings in California. The intent of the California Historical Building Code is to protect California’s architectural heritage by offering an alternative code to address the unique construction problems inherent in historic environments.

This workshop will feature the recent changes to the California Historical Building Code and other important provisions of the code, the differences between the CHBC and the California Building Code and how the alternatives allowed under the CHBC have been successfully applied. Case studies led by project architects will be used throughout the presentations. Participants will learn how to identify qualified historic buildings and their character-defining features, plus a process for applying alternative standards that preserve historic buildings while meeting life-safety mandates. 

All attendees are invited to submit questions about code applications before the workshop. The workshop will include group exercises where participants will draft solutions to specific code compliance problems.

Topics Include: Introduction and background Scope and intent Administrative provisions Is it Historic? What is a "Qualified Historical Building;" Code Update: What's new with the California Historical Building Code?; Process: Use of the Code, Resources, Timing and Documentation Use; Fire and Life Safety Site Access; Landscape treatments Accessibility Materials and Structural Provisions; Case Studies: Applications of the California Historical Building Code; Provisions of PRC 5028 and reconstruction under the CHBC