The records of the California Building Standards Commission reflect the administrative processes of review, approval, adoption, publication, and implementation of California's building codes.

The Building Standards Commission (BSC) is part of the State of California's lineage of agencies to promote and regulate building safety. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire was seen by many as confirmation to the State's need for building regulations. The State Tenement Housing Act, adopted in 1909, set the precedent for state regulation of design and construction in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare. The Commission of Immigration and Housing and the Division of Safety of the Department of Engineering were created in 1913. These two offices gained separate regulatory authority, but unfortunately this established a precedent of different state departments responding individually to similar building problems instead of collaboratively.

14.5 cubic feet

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Collection is open for research.