California Building Standards Moves to Adopt 2013 Codes

California has finally adopted the 2013 California Building Standards Code that will become effective in January 2014, after reviewing the 2010 California building codes. This includes the 2013 version of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). The process will align existing California regulations with federal access ADA regulations for everything ranging from parking spaces and hand rails to housing.

California Building Standards Commission has alerted of several important updates in the 2013 code, such as:

1. An extensive update of California's Energy Code;
2. Updated California Green Building Code requirements for nonresidential building alterations and additions;
3. Division of the State Architect's adoption of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act standards with California amendments;
4. New plumbing code provisions pertaining to greywater and rainwater catchments