California Building Code & Construction Permit Law

California Code · 5 sections

The following is the full text of California’s building code & construction permit law statutes as published in the California Code. For the official version, see the California Legislature.

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6736.1

(a) No person shall use the title, “soil engineer,” “soils engineer,” or “geotechnical engineer,” or any combination of these words or abbreviations thereof, unless he or she is a licensed civil engineer in this state and files an application to use the appropriate title with the board and the board determines the applicant is qualified to use the requested title. (b) The board shall establish qualifications and standards to use the title “soil engineer,” “soils engineer,” or “geotechnical engineer.” However, each applicant shall demonstrate a minimum of four years qualifying experience beyond that required for licensure as a civil engineer, and shall pass the examination specified by the board. (c) For purposes of this section, “qualifying experience” means proof of responsible charge of soil engineering projects in at least 50 percent of the major areas of soil engineering, as determined by the board. (d) Nothing contained in this chapter requires existing references to “soil engineering,” “soils engineering,” “geotechnical engineering,” “soil engineer,” “soils engineer,” or “geotechnical engineer,” in local agency ordinances, building codes, regulations, or policies, to mean that those activities or persons must be registered or authorized to use the relevant title or authority. (Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 657, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6737.1

(a) This chapter does not prohibit any person from preparing plans, drawings, or specifications for any of the following: (1) Single-family dwellings of woodframe construction not more than two stories and basement in height. (2) Multiple dwellings containing no more than four dwelling units of woodframe construction not more than two stories and basement in height. However, this paragraph shall not be construed as allowing an unlicensed person to design multiple clusters of up to four dwelling units each to form apartment or condominium complexes where the total exceeds four units on any lawfully divided lot. (3) Garages or other structures appurtenant to buildings described under subdivision (a), of woodframe construction not more than two stories and basement in height. (4) Agricultural and ranch buildings of woodframe construction, unless the building official having jurisdiction deems that an undue risk to the public health, safety or welfare is involved. (b) If any portion of any structure exempted by this section deviates from substantial compliance with conventional framing requirements for woodframe construction found in the most recent edition of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations or tables of limitation for woodframe construction, as defined by the applicable building code duly adopted by the local jurisdiction or the state, the building official having jurisdiction shall require the preparation of plans, drawings, specifications, or calculations for that portion by, or under the responsible charge of, a licensed engineer, or by, or under the responsible control of, an architect licensed pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5500). The documents for that portion shall bear the stamp and signature of the licensee who is responsible for their preparation. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 607, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7048

(a) This chapter does not apply to a work or operation on one undertaking or project by one or more contracts if the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), that work or operation being considered of casual, minor, or inconsequential nature, and the work or operation does not require a building permit. (b) This section does not apply in a case wherein the work of construction is only a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or a different contractor, or in which a division of the operation is made in contracts of amounts less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the purpose of evasion of this chapter or otherwise. (c) This section does not apply to a person who does either of the following: (1) Advertises or puts out a sign or card or other device that might indicate to the public that the person is a contractor or that the person is qualified to engage in the business of a contractor. (2) Employs another person to perform, or assist in performing, the work or operation. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 12. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7110

Willful or deliberate disregard and violation of the building laws of the state, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any of the following references to or provisions of law, constitutes a cause for disciplinary action against a licensee: (a) Section 8550 or 8556. (b) Sections 1689.5 to 1689.15, inclusive, of the Civil Code. (c) The safety laws or labor laws or compensation insurance laws or Unemployment Insurance Code of the state. (d) The Subletting and Subcontracting Fair Practices Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 4100) of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code). (e) Any provision of the Health and Safety Code or Water Code, relating to the digging, boring, or drilling of water wells. (f) Any provision of Article 2 (commencing with Section 4216) of Chapter 3.1 of Division 5 of Title 1 of the Government Code. (g) Section 374.3 of the Penal Code or any substantially similar law or ordinance that is promulgated by a local government agency as defined in Section 82041 of the Government Code. (h) Any state or local law relating to the issuance of building permits. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 757, Sec. 2. (AB 1747) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7163

(a) No contract for home improvement shall be enforceable against the buyer if the obtaining of a loan for all or a portion of the contract price is a condition precedent to the contract or if the contractor provides financing, or in any manner assists the buyer to obtain a loan or refers the buyer to any person who may loan or arrange a loan for all or a portion of the contract price unless all of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The third party, if any, agrees to make the loan. (2) The buyer agrees to accept the loan or financing. (3) The buyer does not rescind the loan or financing transaction, within the period prescribed for rescission, pursuant to the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq.) or Regulation Z, if applicable. (b) Until the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (a) are satisfied, it shall be unlawful for the contractor to do any of the following: (1) Deliver any property or perform any services other than obtaining building permits or other similar services preliminary to the commencement of the home improvement for which no mechanic’s lien can be claimed. (2) Represent in any manner that the contract is enforceable or that the buyer has any obligation thereunder. Any violation of this subdivision shall render the contract unenforceable. (c) If the contract is unenforceable pursuant to subdivision (a) or subdivision (b), the contractor shall immediately and without condition return all money, property, and other consideration given by the buyer. If the buyer gave any property as consideration and the contractor does not or cannot return it for whatever reason, the contractor shall immediately return the fair market value of the property or its value as designated in the contract, whichever is greater. Nothing herein shall prohibit a contractor from receiving a downpayment otherwise permitted by law provided the contractor returns the downpayment as herein required if the contract is unenforceable pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b). (d) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the buyer may retain without obligation in law or equity any services or property provided pursuant to a contract that is unenforceable pursuant to subdivision (a) or subdivision (b). (2) If the contractor has delivered any property to the buyer pursuant to a contract which is unenforceable pursuant to subdivision (a) or subdivision (b), the buyer shall make the property available to the contractor for return provided that all of the following requirements are satisfied: (A) The property can be practically returned to the contractor without causing any damage to the buyer. (B) The contractor, at the contractor’s expense, first returns to the buyer any money, property, and other consideration taken by the contractor provided that the property is returned in the condition that it was in immediately prior to its taking. If applicable, the contractor shall also, at its expense, reinstall any property taken i

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)