Los Angeles, California building code

Los Angeles enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC with 8 local amendments on top. The amendments are the part that gets sets corrected. The state edition is only the floor. Los Angeles sits in Los Angeles County.

Current edition
2025 Title 24
Prior edition
2022 Title 24
Code authority
Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS)

Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2025-12-31 may still be reviewed under the 2022 Title 24.

Adopted code and local amendments by discipline

Adopted code editions and local amendments by discipline
DisciplineAdopted codeLocal amendment
Building2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBCLABC, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1Stricter of state or local governs
Residential2025 CRC, T24 Pt 2.5 based on 2024 IRCLARC, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 1.5Stricter of state or local governs
Existing buildings2025 CEBC, T24 Pt 10 based on 2024 IEBCn/a
Fire2025 CFC, T24 Pt 9 based on 2024 IFCLAFC, LAMC Ch. V, Art. 7Stricter of state or local governs
Electrical2025 CEC, T24 Pt 3 based on 2023 NECLAEC, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 3Stricter of state or local governs
Mechanical2025 CMC, T24 Pt 4 based on 2024 UMCLA Mechanical, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 5Stricter of state or local governs
Plumbing2025 CPC, T24 Pt 5 based on 2024 UPCLAPC, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 4Stricter of state or local governs
Energy2025 Energy Code, T24 Pt 6n/a
Green / sustainability2025 CALGreen, T24 Pt 11LA Green Building Code, LAMC Ch. IX, Art. 9Stricter of state or local governs
Accessibility2025 CBC Ch 11A/11B, T24 Pt 2n/a
Wildland-urban interface2025 CA-WUIC, T24 Pt 7 based on 2024 IWUICn/a
Historical buildings2025 CHBC, T24 Pt 8n/a
Administrative2025 CAC, T24 Pt 1n/a
ZoningNo state-adopted codeLAMC Chapter I (Planning & Zoning)Local text supersedes the state code

What Los Angeles actually amended

Quoted from the adopted ordinance. These are the provisions that differ from the state code, which is where most correction lists come from. Excerpts, not the whole ordinance. Follow the source link for the full text.

2304.10.2 · Wall sheathing shall not be attached to framing members by adhesives

2304.10.2. Wall sheathing shall not be attached to framing members by adhesives. Staple fasteners in CBC Table 2304.10.2 shall not be used to resist or transfer seismic forces in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E, or F. EXCEPTION: Staples may be used to resist or transfer seismic forces when the allowable shear values are substantiated by cyclic testing and approved by the Superintendent of Building. Sec. 313. Subsection 91.2308.6.9 of Section 91.2308, Division 23, Article 1, Chapter IX of the Los Angeles Municipal Code is renumbered as Subsection 91.2308.10.9 and amended in its entirety to read as follows: 2. […]

Source: cityclerk.lacity.org

Overlays that can apply

Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Los Angeles County. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.

  • Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
  • Hillside / slope overlay
  • Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ)
  • Methane hazard zone
  • Liquefaction hazard zone
  • California Coastal Zone
  • FEMA mapped flood hazard area

State law that overrides local zoning here

When one of these applies, the state statute governs over a conflicting local standard. This is the most common reason a local rule someone quotes you turns out not to be enforceable against a project.

  • Gov. Code 66310 et seq.

    State ADU law preempts local zoning that would preclude a conforming ADU/JADU.

    Applies when: project includes an ADU or JADU

  • Gov. Code 65915

    State Density Bonus Law concessions/waivers override local development standards.

    Applies when: project requests a density bonus

  • Gov. Code 65852.21 / 66411.7

    SB 9 urban lot split / two-unit ministerial approval preempts conflicting local standards.

    Applies when: project is an SB 9 lot split or two-unit development

Sources

Common questions

What building code does Los Angeles use?

Los Angeles enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC, the edition adopted statewide in California, amended locally in 8 disciplines.

Does Los Angeles amend the California code?

Yes: building, residential, fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, green / sustainability, zoning. For building, the rule is: stricter of state or local governs.

Where do I confirm the code edition for a Los Angeles permit?

With the city building department that will review the permit. Adoption ordinances are amended on a local schedule, and a set submitted days apart can fall under different editions during a changeover.

Nearby jurisdictions in Los Angeles County

Statewide

Check a plan set against Los Angeles code

Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.

Your first check is free, no card required.

Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.