CALBO as a Resource
CALBO as a Resource
California Building Officials…
- are Problem Solvers: We work with community members and decision makers to find pragmatic solutions.
- are Resources: We share our knowledge for the betterment of public safety. Our role is not to opine on policy, our role is to assist decision makers with the practical application of building codes and standards that will safeguard the best interests of the communities we serve.
- are Implementers: We enforce the regulations and statutes that are approved by regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
- are at your Service. We do not seek to stand in the way of change. Rather, we hope to help find reasonable ways to meet stated intent and policy goals.
- are Committed to Public Safety: Public safety is paramount. We do not short-change safety in the name of perceived efficiency; we uphold it at every step.
CALBO at A Glance
Who We Are
The California Building Officials (CALBO) is a nonprofit 501(c)6
organization dedicated to promoting public health and safety in
building construction through responsible legislation, education
and building code development. Founded in 1962, CALBO brings
together over 600 members who lead efforts in public safety,
sustainability, planning and code enforcement in their
communities.
Our members are Building Officials, along with other leaders in
building, planning, and code enforcement departments. Together,
they play a vital role each day in ensuring California’s built
environment is safe, resilient and ready to meet tomorrow’s
challenges.
CALBO’s Leadership
Mike Brinkman, C.B.O. – President
Chief Building Official, City of Newman
Sara Retmier, C.B.O. – Vice President
Chief Building Official, City of Beaumont
Raj Patel, P.E., C.B.O. – Past President
Building Official, City of Pico Rivera
Doug Hughes, C.B.O. – Secretary/Treasurer
Chief Building Official, Town of Windsor
Ian Livingston, CASp, C.B.O. – Director
Building Official, City of Guadalupe
Bruce St. John , C.B.O. – Director
Chief Building Official, City of Atascadero
John Weight – Director
Executive Officer, Los Angeles Department of Building and
Safety
Chris Ochoa, Esq. - Advisory Council
Senior Council for Codes, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs,
California Building Industry Association (CBIA)
Addison Smith – Advisory Council
Chief Executive Officer, JAS Pacific
Our Mission
CALBO is dedicated to promoting public health and safety in building construction by:
- Supporting responsible legislation that enhances safety
- Providing continuing education through expert-led training programs
- Contributing to the development of practical and enforceable building codes
- Collaborating with state agencies to guide the regulatory process
Above all, our top priority is to ensure that California’s buildings are safe, resilient and habitable.
What is a Building Official?
A Building Official oversees safety in building design, construction and occupancy. Key duties include:
- Reviewing building plans
- Issuing permits
- Conducting inspections
- Enforcing building codes
They ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations – and help to adapt to evolving practices. Most Building Officials have advanced education, professional certifications, along with at least four-to-five years of supervisory experience.
California Law (AB 717, Ducheny 1995) mandates that officials, inspectors, and plan examiners complete forty-five hours of continuing education every three years, plus maintains certification by a recognized state, national or international association of building officials or construction examiners, as determined by the local agency.
Our Code of Ethics
The protections of life, health and property is a solemn responsibility of the highest order. Recognizing the public’s trust bestowed upon individuals engaged in the administration and enforcement of building regulatory codes, the California Building Officials advocates commitment to a standard of professional behavior that exemplifies the highest ideals and principles of ethical conduct. The governing concepts embodied in this philosophy are characterized herein below, for the benefit and guidance of those so engaged, and for the enlightenment of the public so served.
The Building Official Shall:
- Place the public’s welfare above all other interests and recognize that the chief function of government is to serve the best interests of all the people
- Demonstrate integrity, honesty and fairness in all transactions and constantly strive for excellence in all matters of ethical conduct
- Recognize the continuing need for developing improved safety standards for the protection of life, health, and property, and acknowledge a professional obligation to contribute time and expertise in the development of such improvements
- Maintain professional competence in all areas of employment responsibility and encourage the same in associates at all levels
How Are Building Departments Funded?
Building departments are fee-funded, primarily through charges collected from building permits.
CALBO and the Regulatory Process
CALBO supports the creation, adoption, and implementation of building codes through the state’s regulatory process. When CALBO and other stakeholders are able to collaborate with the State of California’s regulatory bodies the result is practical, prudent and enforceable codes — serving the public’s best interest to ensure consistent, and safe construction standards statewide.
CALBO Training Institute
The CALBO Training Institute (CTI) is CALBO’s education and training division, offering year-round courses and leadership academies. CTI equips building officials and department staff with the tools to:
- Stay up to date on the latest building codes
- Learn current safety standards and emerging technologies
- Build additional career and technical skills
- Enhance professional development for both personal and career growth
AB 1738 (Carrillo)
State Housing Law: remote inspections.
CALBO Position: Oppose
Location: Assembly
Appropriations
Summary: Mandates remote inspections to be conducted by all California local governments for a lengthy list of specified development projects.
CALBO’s Opposition:
- Unnecessary mandate. AB 1738 requires remote inspections statewide despite existing law already allowing jurisdictions to use them where appropriate. Most departments already provide timely, in-person inspections.
- Reduced life-safety oversight. Remote inspections limit an inspector’s ability to detect critical issues (gas leaks, faulty wiring, improper venting) that rely on full sensory evaluation and in-person verification.
- High-Risk residential impacts. The bill targets one- and two- family dwellings, which account for the majority of fatal fire events and often lack key safety systems – making thorough, in-person inspections essential.
- Loss of local control. Mandating remote inspection availability removes the discretion of the building departments to determine the safest and most appropriate inspection method for their communities.
- Unfunded and on-size-fits-all. AB 1738 imposes new administrative requirements without funding and applies a blanket approach that does not reflect the diverse needs and capabilities of California jurisdictions.
AB 1693 (Zbur) – As Introduced February 3, 2026
Accelerated retailer building plan approval: tenant improvements
CALBO Position: Oppose
Location: Assembly
Appropriations
Summary: Requires local government to expedite the permitting process for specified retail tenant-improvement projects.
CALBO’s Opposition:
- Self-certification undermines safety. AB 1693 allows plan designers to effectively approve their own work, creating a conflict of interest and weakening independent verification of building, fire and life-safety codes.
- Erodes inspection integrity. The permitting process is designed to provide unbiased oversight; shifting towards self-certification reduces accountability and increases the risk of noncompliant construction.
- Public safety concerns. Even limited to retail tenant improvement, all projects must meet critical life-safety standards – independent review by local building departments remain essential.
- Loss of local authority. The bill imposes a standardized permit streamlining process that limits the ability of local jurisdictions to apply appropriate review procedures based on project complexity and community needs.
- Repeat of prior concerns. Similar to last year’s AB 671, this approach raises ongoing concerns about long-term impacts to code enforcement, building performance, and occupant safety.
AB 1070 (Ward) – Amended January 5, 2026
Residential developments: building standards: review.
CALBO Position: Oppose
Summary: Requires the California Department of Housing & Community Development to research and report findings to the legislature relative to changing the codified definition of multifamily housing. This is an effort to revise the definition and lessen the building code standards applicable to multifamily housing projects, which in theory, would expedite the construction of such dwellings. A nationwide effort that will address this issue will be released later this year.
Location: Senate Rules
CALBO’s Opposition:
- Undermines established code process. AB 1070 shifts consideration of building code definitions to a state-led workgroup rather than the established open, consensus-based model code development process led by industry experts.
Organizational Resources
CALBO Links
– About Us
– News & Updates
– Resources
– Professional
Development
– CALBO Policy Committees
Legislative
– CALBO Legislation Homepage
– CALBO
Legislative Briefing - March 2026
- Legislation
of Interest – Bill Report
- Six-Point Policy
Additional Resources
– California Fire
Prevention Officers
– Additional California ICC
Chapters
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