This section establishes the official name of this part of the law as the “State Historical Building Code.”

This law aims to offer different rules to help with the rehabilitation, renovation, or relocation of historic buildings. The goal is to keep these buildings' unique architectural features intact while promoting energy efficiency and ensuring occupants' safety. It supports a cost-effective way to preserve historical structures when their use is changed.

This law section states that the rules outlined in it apply to all buildings or structures that are considered 'qualified historical buildings' according to the definition provided in Section 18955.

This law aims to preserve the historical value of certain buildings while ensuring they are safe from fire, earthquakes, and other dangers. It also seeks to make these buildings accessible and usable for people with disabilities.

This law allows for repairs, alterations, and changes to be made to historical buildings to help preserve, restore, or continue their use, as long as these changes follow specific rules. Local building departments and state agencies must use alternative standards from Section 18959.5 when approving such work. When it comes to making these buildings accessible to people with disabilities, each change is assessed individually, preventing blanket application to the entire building without considering each part.

This law defines what counts as a 'qualified historical building or structure' in California. Essentially, it includes any buildings, structures, or sites recognized for their historical, architectural, or cultural importance by local or state government. This includes buildings listed on national, state, or local historical registers like the National Register of Historic Places, State Historical Landmarks, and city or county historical or architectural lists.

Other places and sites deemed important by government bodies also fall under this category, ensuring they are preserved for their significance to the community's history and culture.

This law section states that when dealing with qualified historical buildings or structures, the rules and laws from certain parts of the Government Code, Public Resources Code, and other relevant statutes are governed by the guidelines in this specific part of the code.

This law ensures that building or fire officials can carry out their responsibilities to protect public health, safety, and welfare without being restricted by any other part of this law.

This law states that certain California state agencies have the power to create rules and regulations for the care and management of historical buildings. Aside from the State Historical Building Safety Board, these agencies include the Division of the State Architect, the State Fire Marshal, the State Building Standards Commission (specifically for building standards), the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Transportation. Other relevant state agencies can also be involved if they are affected.

This section outlines how state and local agencies, including the State Historical Building Safety Board and the State Fire Marshal, must administer and enforce laws related to qualified historical buildings or structures. Both state agencies and local authorities are responsible for these tasks within their jurisdiction, following certain guidelines and regulations.

The State Historical Building Safety Board must work with other state agencies and share relevant rules with local building authorities. State Fire Marshal's regulations are enforced similarly to other fire safety laws. Local agencies can adjust building code requirements based on local conditions like climate and geography, but must document their reasons and submit these to the State Historical Building Safety Board before changes take effect.

The State Historical Building Safety Board is responsible for creating and proposing alternative building standards. These standards need approval according to specific procedures. The Board can also change or remove these rules and any related regulations, especially if they've suggested them to the State Architect or other relevant state agencies.

The State Historical Building Safety Board is part of the Division of the State Architect and consists of experts from various state and local agencies, design societies, and preservation organizations.

The board gives advice on rules and regulations to the State Architect and other agencies. It also reviews interpretations and enforcement issues related to historical building standards.

Local agencies and individuals affected by building standards can appeal to this board if the issue is important statewide. The board's decisions and interpretations must be shared with the State Building Standards Commission.

The board can charge fees for their services which are deposited into the State Historical Building Code Fund. Members of the board are appointed and serve four-year terms without pay, although they receive reimbursement for expenses. The board also selects a chair annually.

This law requires all state agencies that deal with approvals or decisions impacting historical buildings to use special guidelines and consult with the State Historical Building Safety Board before making any decisions on variances or appeals. These efforts are to ensure the preservation and safety of historical structures.

This law requires local agencies to reduce parking requirements for projects converting or adapting designated historical sites. If the site is turned into residential use and is within half a mile of major public transit, no more parking is needed than what already exists. For nonresidential uses, a 25% reduction in required parking is allowed. These projects must follow all relevant preservation and safety standards. A designated historical resource refers to a site recognized at local, state, or national levels as historical.