Alternative Materials and Methods of Construction Application

Section 104.2.3 of the 2025 California Building Code (CBC) and Section R104.2.2 of the 2025 California Residential Code (CRC) allows for the use of alternative material, design and methods of construction and equipment. The intent of these sections is to avoid the prohibition of design and methods of construction not specifically prescribed in the CBC or CRC.

A request to use an alternative material, design and methods of construction and equipment, typically referred to as an Alternate Materials and Method Request (AMMR), is required to be made in writing as part of a complete Building permit application using the City's Application and Conditions of Approval for Alternate Materials and Methods of Construction Request form. It is important to note that if an Application and Conditions of Approval for Alternate Methods of Construction Request form is not include at the time of application, the plan review cannot be completed.