Which health and safety requirements apply to ADUs in California?
Accessory dwelling units must comply with all applicable health and safety requirements in California. This includes the California Building Code (CBC), which sets minimum standards for constructing, altering, and maintaining buildings and structures, and the California Residential Code (CRC), which sets minimum standards for the design and construction of single-family and multi-family dwellings.
Some common health and safety requirements for ADUs include:
Fire safety: ADUs must comply with the California Fire Code (CFC), which sets minimum standards for fire safety. This includes requirements for smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, and fire-resistant construction materials.
Structural integrity: ADUs must be designed and constructed in a way that ensures their structural integrity. This includes requirements for foundation systems, framing, and lateral loads.
Energy efficiency: ADUs must comply with the California Energy Code (CEC), which sets minimum standards for energy efficiency. This includes requirements for insulation, windows, and heating and cooling systems.
Accessibility: ADUs must be accessible to people with disabilities, as required by the California Building Code (CBC). This includes requirements for doorways, bathrooms, and other common areas.
Knowing these and any other applicable health and safety requirements is essential before building an ADU in California. Consult a professional designer or architect to ensure your ADU complies with all relevant health and safety requirements.
