Articles, Newsletters & Misc.
Are You Prepared?
Whether it’s year-round wild-fire season or the constant threat of earthquakes, California Building Departments are not immune to the ever-changing landscape of emergency preparedness.
CALBO has partnered with these state agecies to provide the latest information for your department staff to be ready.
Understanding Wildfire Risk Reduction for California Communities - 0.6 CEUs
2023 CTI Education Weeks (Virtual and In Person)
Monday, August 28, 2023 - Burlingame
Monday, October 23, 2023 - Costa Mesa
8:00am – 3:30pm
ICC PP Course No. 31686 (0.6 CEUs) - In Person
ICC PP Course No. 31687 (0.6 CEUs) - Virtual
AIA Course No. 12: 2022 (6 LU | HSWs)
Safety Assessment Program: Evaluator and Coordinator Training – 0.6 CEUs
2023 CTI Education Weeks (Virtual and In Person)
Thursday, August 31, 2023 - Burlingame
Thursday, October 26, 2023 - Costa Mesa
8:00am – 3:30pm
ICC PP Course No. 32004 (0.6 CEUs) - In Person
ICC PP Course No. 32005 (0.6 CEUs) - Virtual
AIA Course No. 20: 2022 (6 LU | HSWs)
Don’t forget! Education Week Burlingame closes on Thursday, August 17 at 5:00pm.
For more information and to register, click here.
If you have any questions, please email the CALBO Office or call 916-457-1103.
New ADU Course Coming Soon!
This NEW interactive course is an overview designed to provide additional knowledge, tools, and insight from California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program to clarify the nexus between local enforcement agencies and HCD. Be ready for what’s now and ahead!
Effective Implementation of Accessory Dwelling Units - 0.6 CEUs
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023 – Education Week Burlingame
- Wednesday, October 25, 2023 – Education Week Costa Mesa
What You’ll Learn:
- Effective use of HCD’s ADU Handbook.
- Legislative history of ADUs and the most recent laws effective as of January 1, 2023.
- Common terms, typologies, and exemptions.
- Important ADU topics: zoning, conversions, parking, impact fees, fire sprinkler, solar, manufactured homes, ordinances, and much more.
- Non-structural overview of ADUs and how to effectively implement following legal and regulatory parameters.
With both in-person and virtual attendance options available, register today!
**Don’t Forget – Burlingame Registration Deadline: Thursday, August 17 at 5:00pm**
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the CALBO Office or call 916-457-1103.
A Special Message from Your 2023-24 CALBO President
Greetings CALBO Community,
It definitely sounds cliché, but time really does fly by. It seems like just yesterday that I was contemplating what a run for the CALBO Board could do for the organization, and the next moment, I find myself nearing the halfway point of serving as your President. This year is no exception and is certainly going by quickly. During these past several months, I’m proud to say that CALBO has been hard at work on many fronts especially as we fight the fight on legislation that would impact our industry and work to create professional development opportunities so you can continue to excel in your careers. I hope you have taken note of how busy your Board and staff have been and at the same time, you continue to see the value in CALBO’s day-to-day work.
Our efforts with legislation have been vigilant as we’ve worked to represent your voice, the voice of building departments, in Sacramento. CALBO flagged over 30 bills we deemed high priority at the beginning of this legislative session and now only ten remain. This significant reduction speaks volumes to the work the Legislative Team has been completing on your behalf. Two high-priority bills that remain are AB 42, which would prohibit local enforcement agencies from requiring fire sprinklers in transitional housing for homeless or at-risk homeless individuals, and AB 468, which would allow local enforcement agencies to enforce building code requirements in substandard housing regardless of zoning designation or approved use of a building. CALBO continues to advocate for public safety in the built environment and is very concerned about AB 42 but is supportive of efforts like AB 468 to further increase compliance with the necessary fire-life-safety measures in residential housing. Admittedly, and as many of you know, I’m a legislative junkie so I enjoy sharing these details with you. For the most up-to-date information about CALBO’s high-priority bills, please click here.
On the professional development front I’m proud to tell you that this May, the CALBO Training Institute (CTI) hosted the Building Officials Leadership Academy (BOLA) class of 2023-2024 in Costa Mesa. Twenty students participated in the week-long core curriculum courses and engaged in the discussion-based format with a variety of instructors and lunch speakers. Each student will complete their BOLA electives at the Education Weeks making them eligible to graduate at our upcoming 2024 annual business meeting in Indian Wells. Thank you to the instructors, guest speakers and mentors for your contributions for the BOLA core curriculum week.
CALBO Legislative Calendar Highlights
Check Out these Resources and Opportunities
CALBO has prepared a few different resources and opportunities for your legislative needs. Make room on your summer and fall schedules – register now!
CALBO State Laws Course and Publication
State Laws Enforced by Building Departments for 2022-2023
Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Education Week - Costa Mesa
8:00am – 3:30pm (0.6 CEUs)
Online or In-Person Attendance
This course features a completely new and updated resource publication, State Laws Enforced by Building Departments, distributed by CALBO focusing on state codes used in the daily work of building departments. It seeks to provide a better understanding of how state laws are crafted and where to look for state statutes that affect how and why we do much of our work. Focus remains on the Health and Safety Code, Government Code, Business and Professions Code and several other state codes that building departments have responsibilities with. Recent amendments to state law, laws that have been a challenge to implement and enforce, and how to better enforce to ensure compliance are course discussion topics as well.
*IMPORTANT: If you can not attend this course, the updated State Laws Enforced by Building Departments can be purchased online – click here.
Register Now – Click Here
CALBO Legislative Webinar
CALBO Fall Legislative Webinar
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 1:00 – 2:00pm
*Free Online Membership Opportunity (no CEUs)
In this webinar, CALBO’s legislative team updates our membership on the new laws impacting building departments and how to work within the realms of the law to provide the best service to your communities. Building officials, building department staff, code professionals, and industry colleagues are encouraged to attend this town hall format to answer questions about the current legislative session and what bills may impact your local jurisdiction in 2024. Check out the CALBO legislative page for more resources and updates.
Register for this free membership opportunity -
Click Here
For any questions, please contact the CALBO Office or 916-457-1103.
Permit Technician and Plan Reviewer
Summer and Fall Trainings
Want to improve your skills as a permit technician or plan reviewer? Whether you are serving in an introductory or advanced department role, there is something for everyone!
In-Person and Virtual Attendance Available
- Permit Technician Career Advancement: The Core Essentials
- 2022 California Building Code: Significant Changes
- Permit Technician Career Advancement: How to Properly Screen Plans for Successful Permit Services
- 2022 California Energy Code: Residential Submittal Requirements
- 2022 California Residential Code: Significant Changes
- Means of Egress in the 2022 California Building Code
Visit the CALBO Education Week Registration page for
complete course listings and registration information.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the CALBO Office or call 916-457-1103.
Thank you for attending the 2023 BOLA Core Curriculum Week – share your feedback!
On behalf of the CALBO Training
Institute (CTI), thank you for attending the 2022-23 BOLA Core
Curriculum Week from May 8-12, 2023.
To provide quality training for this program, we rely on an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of the material and instructor. We appreciate your assistance.
Online Evaluation – Click Here
CALBO’s 61st Annual Business Meeting Session Presentations (PDF)
Did you miss the 61st Annual Business Meeting or attended an Annual Business Meeting session that you want to share with your colleagues? View or download the topical presentations (PDF) about trending subject matter in building-safety. For a complete list, please visit the Annual Business Meeting Presentations Page located on the CALBO website.
If you have questions regarding the information above, please contact the CALBO Office.
A Special Message from Your 2023-24 CALBO President
Greetings CALBO Community,
Spring is upon us! Flowers are blooming, baseball season is in full swing, the state legislature is busy debating new laws, and building permits are being pulled. It is business as usual in the world as CALBO begins its 62nd year, and I take the helm as your president. I would like to thank you in advance for trusting me, along with the CALBO Board of Directors, during this membership year.
I had the great fortune of seeing quite a few of you in San Diego last month as we celebrated our 61st year as an association at the CALBO Annual Business Meeting. It was a great opportunity for us to come together, collaborate with one another, share stories of the past, and pave a path into the future. We also took a moment and honored the best and brightest within our industry. Congratulations to all the award honorees! I also want to send my sincere thanks to our loyal industry partners, countless sponsors and over forty-five exhibitors who came together to contribute to our events. Your continued support of our industry does not go unnoticed.
Earlier this month, a unanimous member vote was casted to amend and restate our bylaws. These bylaws are now in effect and their implementation is underway with work by the CALBO Board and Staff. Although it will take a full year to fully implement the new bylaw provisions, all will be in place before the 62nd Annual Business Meeting and the election of new officers. Thank you, members of CALBO, for assisting your organization in ensuring the organization is prepared for the next generation of CALBO.
As the next few months start to get busy, I hope you can take the time for your own personal and professional development. On May 17th, we will host our annual Leadership and Advocacy Day in Sacramento. This complimentary member event is a great opportunity to meet with local state assemblymembers and senators and to promote the build-safety industry. A wide range of live webinars are open for registration, covering various code changes and much more. We will also be back in the Fall with our traditional hybrid offerings of Education Weeks. More information on that front will be out soon.
Finally, I would like to thank you for continuing to protect our local communities and meeting our professional charge as code officials. I hope you take some time this coming month and celebrate Building Safety month – it’s our month after all.
Regards,
Brad Wungluck
Deputy Director, Development Services Department
City of Manteca
ADU Energy Webinar – Last Chance to Register!
Limited Spots Left
Developed by leading experts at California Energy Commission, this webinar provides vital insight into key components of Accessory Dwelling Units within the 2022 California Energy Code. Remember that registration is first-come, first-served, so please don’t wait!
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 CALBO Award Recipients!
It is with great pride that
we announce the 2022-2023 CALBO Awards Recipients. We
are grateful for these CALBO Member
contributions to the building-safety community.
2022-2023
Building Department of the Year
City of Chico
The City of Chico is the 2022-2023 Building Department of the Year due to its commitment to not only serve its community but the neighboring communities that have been devastated by natural disasters over the last couple of years. Additionally, the department, with a staff of 18 people, has continuously evolved its customer service capabilities through the establishment of a completely new permitting database, allowing the department to average an impressive 300 building inspections per week.
Staying true to the mission of building departments to promote public safety and assist in disaster recovery efforts, the City of Chico immediately reached out to the Town of Paradise and Butte County following the devastating Paradise Camp Fire and Berry Creek Bear Fire. While maintaining a commitment to its community, the department went above and beyond to assist in the recovery efforts of neighboring communities after two devastating natural disasters. In their efforts, the department immediately aided its neighbors by inspecting damaged buildings while still completing the duties necessary to meet the needs of their community. Additionally, the City of Chico launched a web portal allowing project applicants to virtually track their projects from application to final inspection and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. This innovative technology provides up-to-the-minute updates on project applications and increases transparency to the public during the permitting process.
As the most populous city of Butte County, the building division serves just over 100,000 constituents efficiently and effectively. The City of Chico provides an example of how a building department can go above and beyond its duties by assisting other communities in times of need, increasing collaboration to adapt to an ever-changing building industry, and having an extensive commitment to one’s community. Please join CALBO in celebrating the achievements of the City of Chico. Congratulations, Chico.
Building Official of the Year
Chu Chang, City of San Jose
Mr. Chu Chang is the 2022-2023 Building Official of the Year. Mr. Chang currently serves as the Chief Building Official and Assistant Director of the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department for the City of San Jose.
Mr. Chang joined the City of San Jose in 2011 and, since he began, has brought forward innovative ideas to the building department and the communities it serves. Some of his projects include the establishment of a Rapid Online Service Intake for experienced customers, a pilot project for permit review for solar photovoltaic installations, and the establishment of a universal checklist for Accessory Dwelling Units within the San Jose community. The development of these technologies has continued to evolve and improve the customer experience within the City of San Jose.
As an individual, Mr. Chang is well-known for his good sense of humor around the office, his unwavering support of his staff’s career growth through professional development opportunities and mentorship, and his ability to develop strong personal and professional relationships with his team. Outside of his work with the City of San Jose, Mr. Chang is a member of the ICC Major Jurisdiction Committee, which provides resources to local agencies about best practices and information on department administration, code enforcement, and the role of a code official. Additionally, Mr. Chang served as a member of the AIA San Mateo County Chapter as a panelist to help guide course development for architects. These resources are vital to those that protect the public from harm in the built industry and highlight Mr. Chang’s continued commitment to our profession.
Mr. Chang exemplifies the best of our profession by improving technological resources and helping guide future leaders within our industry. The CALBO community is fortunate to have Mr. Chang as a member of our community, and we congratulate him on achieving this significant accomplishment. Congratulations, Chu!
Fire Official of the Year
Christine Reed, Central County Fire Department
Battalion Chief Christine Reed is the 2022-2023 CALBO Fire Official of the Year. Chief Reed has had a 32-year career within the California Fire Service and currently serves as the Battalion Chief – Fire Marshal of the Central County Fire Department for the cities of Burlingame, Hillsborough, and Millbrae.
Over her tenure, Chief Reed has served in various committees and board service opportunities, beginning with her service as past president of the San Mateo County Fire Prevention Officers Association in 1999. From 2008 to 2014, she co-chaired the Northern California Fire Prevention Officers (NorCal FPO) Building Standards Committee, which led to her election to the NorCal FPO Board of Directors, where she served as President in 2017. In addition, she was actively involved in the national code development process throughout her board service, attending all national code development hearings on behalf of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs).
Chief Reed has demonstrated a long-time commitment to California FPOs and CALBO by promoting this valued building-fire relationship nationally through various committees, outreach, and collaborative opportunities. Currently, Chief Reed serves on the CALBO/CalChiefs Building & Fire Advisory Committee, where she collaborates with leaders of both organizations.
CALBO is an organization that prides itself on working hand-in-hand with local and state fire officials, ensuring public and building safety. Officials like Chief Reed help bridge the gap between the two respective fields creating a beneficial, long-lasting relationship. Congratulations, Christine!
Industry Achievement
Mark Lyum, NBCUniversal
Mr. Mark Lyum is the 2022-2023 CALBO Industry Achievement recipient. He is the Senior Vice President of Global Real Estate at NBCUniversal and began his career at Universal in 1990 as a key team member that developed CityWalk. Mr. Lyum oversaw construction on the Universal Studios lot, including projects such as Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, Jurassic World, King Kong 3D, Fast & Furious, Mummy The Ride, and collaborated with the development and construction at Universal Theme Parks in California, Florida and Japan.
During such projects, Mr. Lyum proactively coordinated with local code officials to ensure projects were built to the highest code compliance and sustainability level. His participation in the creation of new building and fire code standards for permanent exterior buildings used for outdoor filming was critical to the rebuilding of the studios fire damaged backlot. Before joining Universal, he worked as a project manager for Dillingham Construction, where he was involved with the Doris Stein Eye Research Institute at UCLA.
Mr. Lyum has been an active contributor to the building-safety industry for well over 30 years, being involved in local building code regulation and supporting both CALBO and ICC in policy development and conference support. Mr. Lyum was an active member of CALBO policy committees, including the Green Building Committee. He also provided support to CALBO by providing facility hosting for CALBO’s Annual Business Meeting and CALBO Committees and to ICC at the 2015 Annual Conference in Long Beach, California.
The CALBO community is extremely grateful for the contributions that Mr. Lyum has provided to our industry over the last 30 years. Congratulations, Mark!
Hall of Fame
Ralph M. Ochoa
With honor, California Building Officials inducts Mr. Ralph Ochoa into the CALBO Hall of Fame.
Mr. Ralph Ochoa started the Ochoa & Moore Law Firm in 1978 after having served as Chief of Staff to the California Assembly Speaker from 1974-78. Mr. Ochoa was appointed to a number of state boards and commissions from a variety of Governors including: the California Building Standards Commission; the University of California Regents; and the California Lottery Commission. For nearly half a century, Mr. Ochoa built a reputation in Sacramento as someone with knowledge, credibility, access and professionalism.
Mr. Ochoa holds the title of Special Ambassador. In 1978, Mr. Ochoa accompanied the First Lady, Rosalyn Carter, to the inauguration of the President of Costa Rica. He completed assignments for President Jimmy Carter on issues involving tax and economic programs and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. President Carter later appointed Mr. Ochoa to the National Advisory Council on Economic Development.
In 1979, Mr. Ochoa was appointed to the Commission of the Californians by Lt. Governor Michael Curb. In 1982, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. appointed him to the California State Building Standards Commission.
Because of his background as a California Building Standards Commissioner, and his reputation as a successful and effective attorney and lobbyist in Sacramento, Mr. Ochoa and his law firm were hired by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) in 1996 to protect the interests of the ICBO in California. Mr. Ochoa and his firm quickly got to work helping raise the profile of ICBO and educating Sacramento on the importance of strong building codes, while helping ICBO transition into the International Code Council (ICC).
In the early 2000s, Mr. Ochoa and his Firm worked tirelessly recruiting and organizing Coalitions large and small throughout California as the California Code Wars became the singular focus for ICC in California. Through his leadership, ICC eventually won the Code Wars in California, and for his efforts, The Ochoa & Moore Law Firm was recognized at the 2005 International Builders Show by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as the winner of its Government Affairs Achievement Award for honoring outstanding contributions to the home building industry.
Mr. Ochoa continued leading the California Coalition for ICC and representing the ICC and its Coalition members before the Building Standards Commission, the State Legislature, as well as numerous state agencies and the Governor’s Office until his retirement in 2020.
Ralph could not be with us today due to a recent surgery, but his son Chris will accept the award on his behalf.
For a complete list of CALBO Award Recipients from years past, please visit the Award and Hall of Fame page located on the CALBO website.