2026 California Code: Smarter Documentation & Permitting
Prolonged review of plans. Unreliable timelines for permits. Repetitive corrections of documents. For many architecture firms, this is not the exception. This is the process, and with the 2026 California Building Code just around the corner, this process will become even more complicated. Press enter or click to view image in full size The new 2026 CBC is not merely an update; the new code changes the way compliance is documented, verified, and approved. Newly foreseen rules on energy performance, electrification, seismic safety, and digital submittals mean design teams need to start thinking differently about documentation, a critical design deliverable that architects should begin to think of not as an afterthought. This article is a strategic roadmap for architecture professionals to: Understand the key compliance challenges of the 2026 CBC. Recognize and sidestep documentation challenges that cause plan-check delays. Facilitate permitting with better processes and improved co...