Section 19870.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 19870.
in effect(a)
As a result of construction inspection, an enforcement agency shall not impose a new or modified building standard different from those specified in the plans and specifications approved during plan checking functions for which a building permit is issued, unless the enforcement agency determines that any of the following apply:
(1)
The standard is necessary to correct a violation of the governing code or standard and to protect the public health or safety.
(2)
The plans and specifications did not reference the standard or were not in sufficient detail.
(3)
There is a deviation, addition, or deletion from the plan.
(4)
There are modifications to the plan by the permittee.
(5)
The permit is deemed expired because the building or work authorized by the permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of the permit, or the permittee has suspended or abandoned the work authorized by the permit at any time after the work is commenced.
(6)
The permit is deemed suspended or revoked pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 303 of the latest adopted version of the Uniform Building Code.
(b)
As used in this chapter:
(1)
“Building standard” means a building standard as defined in Section 18909, or other standard adopted by a local agency pursuant to Section 17958 or subdivision (c) of Section 18941.5, that was effective on the date of the application for the building permit.
(2)
“Enforcement agency” means any department of a local agency that has the authority to inspect a construction or renovation project and enforce health, safety, or building codes including, but not limited to, the building department or building division, the fire department or fire district, and the health department.
(3)
“Local agency” means a city, county, or city and county.
(4)
“Plans and specifications” mean the plans, drawings, and specifications for a construction or renovation project, for which a building permit was issued, which relates to buildings classified for occupancy as a building of Group A, B, and R-1, pursuant to the 1991, Edition of the Uniform Building Code of the International Conference of Building Officials.
(5)
“Building inspector” means any employee or contractor of an enforcement agency who performs inspections of a construction or renovation project for the purpose of assuring compliance with adopted uniform building codes and standards.
(6)
“Supervisor” means any employee of any enforcement agency to whom a building inspector reports and who is responsible for reviewing a building inspector’s project approvals or denials or modification orders.
(7)
“Permittee” means a building owner, building property manager, or authorized representative to whom a building permit is issued by the enforcement agency.
(c)
(1)
If an enforcement agency requires that a new or modified building standard be met pursuant to the condition set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the building inspector, within two working days of ordering the standard shall provide the permittee, in writing on a form prescribed by the enforcement agency, a description of the specific threat to public health and safety and the section of the applicable building code or standard that has been violated or not complied with, and the interpretations and reasons for differing from the approved plans and specifications.
(2)
If an enforcement agency requires that a new or modified building standard be met pursuant to the condition set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the building inspector, within two working days of ordering the standard, shall provide the permittee, in writing on a form prescribed by the enforcement agency, the applicable building code or standard that has been violated or not complied with, and a description of how that standard is applicable and necessary to the construction or renovation project for which the building permit is issued.
(3)
If an enforcement agency requires that a new or modified building standard be met pursuant to the condition set forth in paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (a), the building inspector, within two working days of ordering the standard, shall provide the permittee, in writing on a form prescribed by the enforcement agency, the applicable building code or standard that has been violated or not complied with, and the deviations, additions, or deletions from, or the modifications to, the plan, as the case may be, which results in a violation or noncompliance with an applicable building code or standard.
(d)
If an enforcement agency requires a new or modified building standard that the permittee certifies to the enforcement agency would result in a cumulative increase in the overall cost of the construction or renovation project of 10 percent or more, all findings made by a building inspector pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be reviewed and approved in writing by the supervisor of the construction inspector within five working days of the order for a new or modified building standard. No certificate of occupancy may be denied if the findings of a construction supervisor are not so approved.
(e)
A copy of all findings made by the building inspector pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be sent to the department within the local agency that is responsible for reviewing and approving the plans and specifications during the plan checking functions for which the building permit is issued.
(f)
Compliance with subdivisions (c) and (d) shall not be required if, at the time an enforcement agency imposes a new or modified building standard, the building inspector, the building inspector’s supervisor, and the permittee consult with one another within two working days of imposing the standard, and the permittee agrees with the enforcement agency’s order.
References
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 303.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18909.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 17958.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18941.5.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026