La Quinta, CA
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Special Announcement
2025 California Building Standards Codes are here! The effective date of the New Code was January 1, 2026. Codes are available for viewing from the Building Standards Commission Website.
All applications for building permits submitted on or after January 1, 2026 must comply with 2025 California Building Standards Code. Local Adoption of the California Building Standards: Ordinance No. 627 .
General
The City of La Quinta Building Division uses the following codes in the plan check process and in field inspections:
- 2025 California Building Code
- 2025 California Residential Code
- 2025 California Mechanical Code
- 2025 California Plumbing Code
- 2025 California Electrical Code
- 2025 California Energy Code
- 2025 California Green Building Standards Code
- 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (See La Quinta Office of the Fire Marshal for Additional FHSZ Information)
Structures are governed by the Code that was in effect at the time of application for building permit. Consequently, any building permitted or in plan review under the previous Code will be governed by that Code, provided that the application or permit does not expire.
Design Criteria
In addition, for structures in La Quinta, design for the following requirements:
- Seismic Design Category: D₂ - Residential Code; D - Building Code
- Wind Design: 95 - 100 mph (See ACSE Hazard Tool); Exposure "C"
- Climate Zone: 15
- Subject to Damage from: Weathering - Negligible, Frost - N/A, Termite - Very Heavy
- Winter Design Temperature: 34°F
- Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: No
- Flood Hazards: A/AO/X - See FEMA Map
- Air Freezing Index: No Freezing Data Recorded
- Mean Annual Temperature: 72.3°F
Please Note: These are general requirements. Licensed engineers and architects are responsible for considering all site-specific conditions and code requirements in design documents.
Please call the Design & Development Department at (760) 777-7125 if you have other design questions.
Miscellaneous
The California Energy Code, supplemental material, and compliance forms are available at the California Energy Commission Web site.
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