101.8 Alternate Materials, Designs and Methods of Construction

The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the use of any alternate material, appliance, installation, device, arrangement, method, design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternate shall be approved on a case-by-case basis where the enforcing agency finds that the proposed alternate is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code and is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in planning and design, energy, water, material conservation and resource efficiency, environmental air quality, performance, safety and the protection of life and health. Consideration and compliance provisions for occupancies regulated by adopting state agencies are found in the sections listed below.

1. Section 1.2.3 in the California Building Code (CBC) for the California Building Standards Commission.
2. Section 104.11 of Chapter 1, Division II for the Division of the State Architect.
3. Section 1.8.7, Chapter 1, Division I, of the 2019 California Building Code; and Section 1.8.7, Chapter 1, Division I, of the 2019 California Residential Code for the Department of Housing and Community Development.
4. Section 7-104, 2019 California Administrative Code for the Office of the Statewide Health Planning and Development.