Building Codes

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Special Announcement

2022 California Building Code Effective as of January 1, 2023

All applications for building permits submitted on or after January 1, 2023 must comply with 2022 California Building Standards Code. Local Adoption and California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) Filing with Acceptance: Ordinance No. 604 (With CBSC Filing Acceptance) - More Information on Supplements and Errata are available at the Building Standards Commission site.

What is New in the 2022 California Building Codes?

General

The City of La Quinta Building Division uses the following codes in the plan check process and in field inspections:

2022 California Building Code
2022 California Residential Code
2022 California Mechanical Code
2022 California Plumbing Code
2022 California Electrical Code
2022 California Energy Code
2022 California Green Building Standards Code

Structures are governed by the Code that was in effect at the time of application for building permit. Consequently, any building permitted or in plan review under the previous Code will be governed by that Code, provided that the application or permit does not expire. For example, applications processed between 01/01/2020 and 12/31/2022, will be governed by the 2019 California Codes.

Design Criteria

In addition, for structures in La Quinta, design for the following requirements:

Seismic Design Category: D₂ - Residential Code; D - Building Code
Wind Design: Special Wind Region - 110 mph (usually results in 85 mph for Allowable Stress Design); Exposure "C"
Climate Zone: 15
Subject to Damage from: Weathering - Negligible, Frost - N/A, Termite - Very Heavy
Winter Design Temperature: 34°F
Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: No
Flood Hazards: A/AO/X - See FEMA Map
Air Freezing Index: No Freezing Data Recorded
Mean Annual Temperature: 72.3°F

Please Note: These are general requirements. Licensed engineers and architects are responsible for considering all site-specific conditions and code requirements in design documents.

Please call the Design & Development Department at (760) 777-7125 if you have other design questions.