CHAPTER 4.5. Guidelines for Straw-Bale Structures

Chapter 4.5 added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 941, Sec. 1.

§§ 18944.30–18944.41 · 7 sections

1. ARTICLE 1. General Provisions and Definitions §§ 18944.30–18944.33 · 4 sections

   • § 18944.30 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) There is an urgent need for low-cost, energy-efficient housing in California. (b) The cost of…
   • § 18944.31 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the guidelines established by this chapter shall apply to the construction of all structures that use baled…
   • § 18944.32 Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as an exemption from Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5500) of, or Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of,…
   • § 18944.33 For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms are defined as follows: (a) “Bales” means rectangular compressed blocks of straw, bound by strings or…
2. ARTICLE 2. Guidelines for Materials § 18944.35 · 1 section

   • § 18944.35 (a) Bales shall be rectangular in shape. (b) Bales used within a continuous wall shall be of consistent height and width to ensure even distribution of loads…
3. ARTICLE 3. Construction Guidelines §§ 18944.40–18944.41 · 2 sections

   • § 18944.40 (a) Straw-bale walls, when covered with plaster, drywall, or stucco, shall be deemed to have the equivalent fire resistive rating as wood-frame construction…
   • § 18944.41 Sections 18944.30, 18944.31, 18944.33, 18944.35, and 18944.40 shall become inoperative when building standards become effective after approval by the…