Searching for Information on Uniform Building Code

Hi. I have been looking for similar information. My questions are about free standing shelving and racks over six feet high and overhead mirrors. Since I have to get past permit check to start construction, I went to a really good professional structural engineer who will do the deed for a flat fee. I looked at a lot of building code rules, both state and county first and you might find what you want by searching: "State of California" +"uniform building code" +"non-building structures". If you have a project and need to get a permit you can take your drawings and questions to your building department and they will give you copies of the code pages that you will need to address.

The code can be purchased online. Unless you have a specifics, then you may need to purchase. I think 97 is the latest revision....Not sure

ICBO UBC-1997-SC
1997 Uniform Building Code - All 3 Volumes
International Conference of Building Officials
01-Jan-1997

Hope this helps

Depending upon your area, the newer 2003 code is being used. Our City just changed from the 1997 to the 2003 IBC.

In certain County's, there are other requirements in addition to the IBC, so it is best to check with a Structural Engineer in your area.

I had some dealings with the various codes recently after checking up on a house I was having built. The fine print in the contract stated that the house would be built to conform to the "International Building Code (IBC)" - I told the builder that I didn't care about the IBC, as the local building code in effect in our region superceded the IBC. The problems came from shoddy workmanship followed by lax code enforcement inspections. I had a local PE do an inspection to back me up, and the builder had a rebuttal to every point - "not required by the IBC", "not required by the materials manufacturer", "already been inspected", etc. The bottom line is that I told the builder where to shove his crap house, which almost cost me over $5,000.00 (until I threatened them with my attorney (I better get an attorney!)).

I discovered in my searches that although my local regional building code is posted online, it references the Uniform Building Code (UBC); codes like the IBC, UBC, any NFPA or UL codes are typically not online - you usually have to buy them. You can check your local library, but be sure to check the date as it may be outdated.