The 2025 California Residential Code, and whole thereof, and all national codes and standards referenced therein (codified in Part 2.5 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), as published by the International Code Council and the California Building Standards Commission, is hereby adopted by reference, subject to the amendments, deletions or additions set forth in this chapter and incorporated in the Huntington Beach Building and Construction Code.
Such code, and amendments thereto, are hereby adopted and incorporated, pursuant to California Government Code Section 50022.2 et seq., and Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5, as though fully set forth at length herein, for the purpose of regulating and administering the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, occupancy, equipment, use, height, area, and maintenance of residential one- and two-family dwellings or structures in the City of Huntington Beach, and repealing all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. From the date on which this chapter takes effect the provisions of such code, together with amendments thereto shall be controlling within the corporate limits of the City of Huntington Beach.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Section R101.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
R101.1 Title. These provisions shall be known as the Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings of Huntington Beach, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as "this Code."
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Division II, Section R105.2 Work Exempt From Permit is hereby amended to read as follows:
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building:
1.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, pagodas, gazebos and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. Such structures shall comply with setback and height requirements of the Zoning Subdivision Ordinance and the Fire Code.
2.
Masonry or concrete fences not over 42 inches in height above lowest adjacent grade and all other fences not exceeding 6 feet in height above the lowest adjacent grade and not within required zoning setbacks or subject to review by the Fire Department.
Exception: Walls and fences less than 6 feet in height that are required as a condition of project approval, subject to review by the Fire Department, guard system or pool barrier system are required to have permits.
3.
Oil derricks and tanks.
4.
Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
5.
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
6.
Sidewalks, platforms, decks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and not part of an accessible route.
7.
Painting, papering, filing, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
8.
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 18 inches deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
9.
Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
10.
Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
11.
Swings, other playground equipment and similar type recreational structures accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
12.
Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
13.
Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.
14.
Flag poles, light poles and TV dishes in connection with a Group R, Division 3 occupancy and not exceeding 15 feet in height.
15.
Re-roofing an area smaller than 100 square feet while satisfying all applicable application requirements.
16.
Replacement doors and windows when the waterproofing membrane is not altered and emergency egress dimensions are equal to or better than the original permitted layout.
17.
New roof penetrations less than 14" by 14" when no framing modifications or additions are required.
Unless provided by this Code, separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits will be required for the above-exempted items.
Any of the above items that are located in a Floodplain Overlay District, Environmentally Sensitive Area or subject to a discretionary Planning Division approval or as otherwise required by the Planning Division or any other authority/agency is not exempt from permits.
Electrical:
1.
Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2.
Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this Code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3.
Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
4.
Temporary decorative lighting.
5.
Replacement of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets therefor.
6.
Replacement of general use snap switches.
7.
Repair or replacement of any overcurrent device of the required capacity in the same location.
8.
Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or gas tube systems.
9.
The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.
10.
Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
11.
Low-energy power, control and signal circuits of Classes II and III as defined in the electrical code.
12.
Non-vehicle-mounted portable generators.
13.
Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
Gas:
1.
Portable heating appliance.
2.
Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3.
Portable cooking or clothes drying appliance.
4.
Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Mechanical:
1.
Portable heating appliances.
2.
Portable ventilation equipment or appliances.
3.
Portable cooling unit.
4.
Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this Code.
5.
Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6.
Portable evaporative cooler.
7.
Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8.
Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Plumbing:
1.
The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with the new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this Code.
2.
The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.
3.
Repair or replacement of any plumbing fixture or appliance of the same type and size and in the same location. Exception: electric and fuel gas water heaters.
4.
Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Division II, Section R105.3.2 Time Limitation of Application is amended to read as follows:
R105.3.2 Time limitation of application. Applications for which no permit is issued within 180 days following the date of application shall expire automatically, and plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the building official. The building official may extend the time for action by the applicant in increments of 180 days subject to the following conditions:
1. 
The applicant shall submit an application every 180 days, accompanied by a plan review extension fee, established by resolution of the City Council.
2. 
Any plans that remain in plan review over 360 days shall meet all construction standards that are adopted at the time the permit is issued.
3. 
Plans may not remain in plan review more than 720 days except under extreme situations as approved by the building official.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Division II, Section R105.5 Expiration is amended to read as follows:
R105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance or after commencement of work if more than 180 days pass between inspections. Work shall be considered suspended or abandoned if substantial approval of one of the required progress inspections is not accomplished every 180 days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work; and provided further that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year. In order to renew action on a permit after one year, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
Time limitation for permit expiration as the result of code enforcement shall be as per notice of violation or as otherwise determined by the Building Official.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Division II, Section R106 Construction Documents a new Subsection R106.1.7 is added to read in its entirety as follows:
R106.1.7 Methane Overlay District. New building construction in the defined methane overlay districts shall comply with the Building Code Chapter 55 as amended in Section 17.04.085 and with the Huntington Beach Fire Code.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Division II, Section R106 Construction Documents a new Subsection R106.1.8 is added to read in its entirety as follows:
R106.1.8 Soils report. A Soil report shall be submitted with all permit applications for new construction and additions. Soil reports shall be prepared by a professional engineer licensed by the State to prepare such reports. The Building Official may waive this requirement if he/she finds that the scope of work applied for does not necessitate a soil report.
(4343-12/16/2025)
Chapter 1, Division II, Section 108 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as:
R108.1 Payment of fees. A permit shall not be valid until the fees prescribed by law have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid. The building official may allow temporary exceptions.
R108.1.1 Plan review fees. When a plan or other data is required to be submitted, a plan review fee shall be paid. This fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for plan review. Said plan review fees shall be established by resolution of the City Council.
R108.1.2 Permit fees. The fee shall be paid at permit issuance. The standard for determination of value or valuation of the project shall be made by the building official and as established by resolution of the City Council.
R108.1.3 Miscellaneous service fees. Whenever an application is made for all other services, a fee for the service in an amount established by resolution of the City Council shall be paid to the City.
R108.2 Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established by resolution of the City Council.
R108.3 Building permit valuations. The applicant for a permit shall provide an estimated permit value at time of application. Permit valuations shall include total value of work, including materials and labor, for which the permit is being issued, such as electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing equipment and permanent systems. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the permit shall be denied, unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the approval of the building official. Final building permit valuation shall be set by the building official and established by resolution of the City Council.
R108.4 Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to an investigation fee established by resolution by the City Council that shall be in addition to the required permit fees.
R108.5 Related fees. The payment of the fee for the construction, alteration, removal or demolition for work done in connection to or concurrently with the work authorized by a building permit shall not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that are prescribed by law.
R108.6 Refunds. The building official may authorize the refund of any fee paid hereunder for work that was not performed or for fees that were collected erroneously as established by resolution of the City Council.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Chapter 1, Section R112.1 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
R112.1 General. In order to hear and decide appeals of the orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and hereby created a board of appeals. The board of appeals shall be appointed by the City Council and shall hold office at its pleasure. The board shall adopt rules of procedure for conducting its business, and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official. Depending on the subject of the appeal, specialized expertise may be solicited for the purpose of providing input to the appeals board.
(4343-12/16/2025)
CRC Subsection R301.1.3.2 is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
R301.1.3.2. Woodframe structures greater than two-stories. The building official shall require construction documents to be approved and stamped by a California licensed architect or engineer for all dwellings of woodframe construction more than two stories in height or with basement. Notwithstanding other sections of law, the law establishing these provisions is found in Business and Professions Code Sections 5537 and 6737.1.
(4343-12/16/2025)
TABLE R301.2(1)
GROUND SNOW-LOAD
WIND DESIGN
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORYf
SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM
WINTER DESIGN TEMPe
ICE BARRIER UNDER-LAYMENT REQUIREDh
FLOOD HAZARDSg
AIR FREEZ-ING INDEXi
MEAN ANNUAL TEMPj
SPEED d
(mph)
TOPOGRAPHIC EFFECTSk
WEATHERINGa
FROSTLINE DEPTHb
TERMITEc
Zero
95
No
D2 or E
Negligible
12-24"
Very Heavy
43
No
HBMC 17.07.150
0
60
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIA
Elevation
Latitude
Winter Heating
Summer Cooling
Altitude Correction Factor
Indoor Design Temperature
Design Temperature Cooling
Heating Temperature Difference
40
34
41
80
1.00
70
75
Cooling Temperature Difference
Wind Velocity Heating
Wind Velocity Cooling
Coincident Wet Bulb
Daily Range
Winter Humidity
Summer Humidity
7
68
14
5
75
(4343-12/16/2025)
Table R301.2(1) footnote g is amended to read as follows:
Section Table R301.2(1) Footnote g. For the latest information regarding City's FIRM Maps for Flood Hazard Locations, City's entry into the National Flood Insurance Program, dates of the Flood Insurance Study, and Panel Numbers (copies of which are on file in the Office of the City's Community Development Department) visit Flood Information section in the Community Development Home Page at:
https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/departments/community_development/planning_zoning/flood_information.php
(4343-12/16/2025)
Section R322.1 General is hereby amended to read as follows:
R322.1 General. Buildings and structures constructed in whole or in part in flood hazard areas, including A or V Zones and Coastal A Zones, as established in Table R301.2(1), and substantial improvement and repair of substantial damage of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the most restrictive provisions contained in the Floodplain Overlay District in the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Chapter 222, Local Coastal Program or this section. Buildings and structures that are located in more than one flood hazard area shall comply with the provisions associated with the most restrictive flood hazard area. Buildings and structures located in whole or in part in identified floodways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ASCE 24.
(4343-12/16/2025)