Manhattan Beach, California building code

Manhattan Beach enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC with 3 local amendments on top. The amendments are the part that gets sets corrected. The state edition is only the floor. Manhattan Beach sits in Los Angeles County.

Current edition
2025 Title 24
Prior edition
2022 Title 24
Code authority
City of Manhattan Beach: Community Development, Building Division

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 IBCManhattan Beach Municipal Code Title 9: building code adoption
Residential2025 CRC, T24 Pt 2.5 based on 2024 IRCn/a
Existing buildings2025 CEBC, T24 Pt 10 based on 2024 IEBCn/a
Fire2025 CFC, T24 Pt 9 based on 2024 IFCn/a
Electrical2025 CEC, T24 Pt 3 based on 2023 NECn/a
Mechanical2025 CMC, T24 Pt 4 based on 2024 UMCn/a
Plumbing2025 CPC, T24 Pt 5 based on 2024 UPCn/a
Energy2025 Energy Code, T24 Pt 6n/a
Green / sustainability2025 CALGreen, T24 Pt 11n/a
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 codeLocal zoning ordinance (city or county), subject to state preemptionLocal text supersedes the state code
CoastalNo state-adopted codeCertified LCP (1994): city issues CDPs west of Sepulveda

What Manhattan Beach 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.

9.01.050 · Permit expiration

Section [A] 105.5 is hereby amended to read as follows: Ord. 25-0009 2 of 60 [A]105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the work is commenced, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is not completed within 2 calendar years from the issuance date of the permit without the issuance of a permit renewal or extension. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit, or a renewed permit as specified below, shall be first obtained. […]

9.02.030 · Permit expiration

Section [A] 105.5 is hereby amended to read as follows: [A] 105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the work is commenced, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is not completed within 2 calendar years from the issuance date of the permit without the issuance of a permit renewal or extension. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit, or a renewed permit as specified below, shall be first obtained. […]

9.12.040 · Services undergrounding

Section 230.30 (A) is amended by the addition of subsection (5) to read as follows: (5) Underground Utilities Required. All new buildings and structures in the City of Manhattan Beach shall provide underground electrical and communication service laterals on the premises to be served, as hereinafter required. (a) New Construction. All electrical, telephone, cable television system, and similar service wires and cables which provide direct service to new main buildings, new accessory buildings, and structures, shall be installed underground in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes, safety regulations, and orders, rules of the Public Utilities Commission of Ord. […]

302.7

Existing glass. Whenever the Building Official determines by inspection that an existing glass installation, in rooms having an occupant load of more than 100 persons or a means of egress serving an occupant load of more than 100 persons, as determined by Chapter 10 of the California Building Code, is likely to become a hazard in the event of accidental human impact as described in Section 2406.4 of the Building Code and such installation does not comply with the provisions for glazing in such locations, the Building Official may provide the owner of the building or other person or agent in control of the building where such glazing exists with a written notice of such condition. […]

1704.6

Structural observations. Where required by the provisions of Section 1704.6.1, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent shall employ a structural observer to perform structural observations. The structural observer shall visually observe representative locations of structural systems, details and load paths for general conformance to the approved construction documents. Structural observation does not include or waive the responsibility for the inspections in Section 110 or the special inspections in Section 1705 or other sections of this code. The structural observer shall be one of the following individuals: 1. […]

2306.3

Wood-frame shear walls. Wood-frame shear walls shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ANSI/AWC SDPWS. For structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E, or F, application of Table 4.3A of ANSI/AWC SDPWS shall include the following: 1. Wood structural panel thickness for shear walls shall not be less than 3/8 inch thick and studs shall not be spaced at more than 16 inches on center. 2. The maximum nominal unit shear capacities for 3/8 inch wood structural panels resisting seismic forces in structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F is 400 pounds per linear foot (plf). […]

2308.10.5.2

Portal frame with hold-downs (PFH). A PFH shall be constructed in accordance with this section and Figure 2308.10.5.2. The adjacent door or window opening shall have a full-length header. In one-story buildings, each panel shall have a length of not less than 16 inches (406 mm) and a height of not more than 10 feet (3048 mm). Each panel shall be sheathed on one face with a single layer of 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) minimum-thickness wood structural panel sheathing nailed with 8d common or galvanized box nails in accordance with Figure 2308.10.5.2. […]

R503.2.4

Openings in horizontal diaphragms. Openings in horizontal diaphragms with a dimension perpendicular to the joist that is greater than 4 feet (1.2 m) shall be constructed in accordance with Figure R503.2.4. a. Blockings shall be provided beyond headers. b. Metal ties not less than 0.058 inch [1.47 mm (16 galvanized gage)] by 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide with eight 16d common nails on each side of the header-joist intersection. The metal ties shall have a minimum yield of 33,000 psi (227 MPa). Ord. 25-0009 33 of 60 c. Openings in diaphragms shall be further limited in accordance with Section R301.2.2.6. […]

R105.5

Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the work is commenced, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is not completed within 2 calendar years from the issuance date of the permit without the issuance of a permit renewal or extension. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit, or a renewed permit as specified below, shall be first obtained. No permit shall be valid for more than 4 years. […]

R602.10.2.3

Minimum number of braced wall panels. Braced wall lines with a length of 16 feet (4877 mm) or less shall have not less than two braced wall panels of any length or one braced wall panel equal to 48 inches (1219 mm) or more. Braced wall lines greater than 16 feet (4877 mm) shall have not less than two braced wall panels. In Seismic Design Category D0, D1, or D2, no braced wall panel shall have a contributing length less than 48 inches in length or as required in Section R602.10.3, whichever is greater. Table R602.10.3(3) of the 2025 Edition of the California Residential Code is amended to read as follows: Ord. 25-0009 36 of 60 Ord. 25-0009 37 of 60 a. Linear interpolation shall be permitted. […]

Source: legistar.granicus.com

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.

  • California Coastal Zone
  • FEMA mapped flood hazard area
  • Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone

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 Manhattan Beach use?

Manhattan Beach enforces 2025 CBC, T24 Pt 2 based on 2024 IBC, the edition adopted statewide in California, amended locally in 3 disciplines.

Does Manhattan Beach amend the California code?

Yes: building, zoning, coastal.

Where do I confirm the code edition for a Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach 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.