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San Francisco staff prepare industry for switch to International Codes and Title 24 guidance
Summary
DBI and Planning staff reviewed the state's transition to the International Codes (effective Jan. 2008), said they reduced local amendments where possible, noted opportunities for design and wood construction, and announced training sessions and an Oct. 11–12 summit to help the industry and smaller designers prepare.
Commissioners received an overview of upcoming code changes and training plans tied to the state's adoption of the International Codes, which replace the older Uniform Building Code in California beginning in January 2008.
DBI Director Islam Hassanen explained the state building standards commission adopted the International Building Code and related model codes; local jurisdictions may retain narrowly tailored amendments tied to topography, geology or climate. He said staff reviewed San Francisco's local amendments and "tried to reduce and eliminate as many of those as possible" to ease compliance.
The code change may create design opportunities: Hassanen noted the newer code format changes how exterior protection and material allowances are handled and could allow more openness, light and additional wood construction in some projects, which may help affordability. Energy and green design remain governed by California's Title 24; Hassanen emphasized that LEED certification is not itself a code requirement, though state and local green initiatives are active.
DBI is planning outreach and training: a multi‑day summit at the Bill Graham Auditorium will include an IBC training session (corrected dates: Oct. 11–12, with IBC training on Oct. 12), and DBI said it will cosponsor industry seminars and offer short overview sessions for smaller firms. Hassanen said some seminars will be free and AIA may charge members for certain sessions.
Commissioners asked for earlier and targeted training for planners and small designers to avoid late‑year bottlenecks; staff said an internal training program and external seminars are planned, and that DBI will coordinate training content with planning to push code fundamentals down to line reviewers.
No code amendments were adopted at the meeting; staff encouraged industry attendance at the October summit and said more training information will be provided.
