Current Building Codes and Design Criteria

2019 California Building Codes

All construction projects submitted on or after January 1, 2020, must be designed per the 2019 California Building Standards Code.

The 2019 California Building Codes including the current Energy Codes are effective as of January 1, 2020. The local ordinance for the Nevada County Land Use and Development Code for local amendments to the code is effective January 1, 2020.

Please refer to handouts and presentations for specific changes to sections of the code. The PowerPoint presentation includes audio so you can hear the details of the upcoming changes. If you have any questions, please contact the Nevada County Building Department at buildingdept@co.nevada.ca.us or (530) 265-1222 extension 1.

Building Code Handouts

  1. 2019 CA Bldg Standards Code Substantial Changes PowerPoint Presentation (MP4)
  2. 2019 California Code Update Brochure (PDF))
  3. 2019 California Energy-Electrical Code Update Brochure (PDF)
  4. 2019 Residential Plan Review Checklist
  5. 2019 Substantial Code Change Quick Reference (PDF)
  6. General Notes Sheet (2019 Residential)

Design Criteria

Design criteria are used by structural engineers when conducting engineering analysis. For more detailed information about Nevada County design criteria download the Design Criteria handout.

design criteria listed out in table format including snowload and windload items.

Determining the Parcel Specific Information

You can find parcel-specific design criteria like parcel elevation, ground snow load, climate zone, and wind exposure on the My Neighborhood Interactive Map.

  • Look up the parcel in the My Neighborhood Interactive Map. 
    • Ground Snow Load: Once you find your parcel in My Neighborhood, click the parcel Report Link. The Parcel Information Report (new page) will open, scroll to the bottom and find the Ground Snow Load (lbs/sqft) listed toward the bottom right. 
    • Seismic Design Category: Once you find your parcel in My Neighborhood, note the latitude and longitude which are located in the lower right corner of the display of the map.