Question: Do I really need Type 1A construction for a small apartment project in California?

I’m in the early stages of converting an old property I inherited into a small 3-story apartment building in California. Nothing crazy, just 6 units. But when I started talking to a local architect, he mentioned that we might need to go with Type 1A construction because of the zoning and fire regulations. That caught me off guard—sounds expensive and complicated. Has anyone gone through something similar? Is Type 1A always required for this kind of thing?

Asked by Anonymous

Answers:

Community Advice

daddario writes:
We ended up working with a company called California Type 1A Building Construction. Super knowledgeable team, and they really helped us understand what’s required and what’s overkill. Honestly, their advice probably saved us from some serious permit headaches. If you're not sure whether you really need Type 1A, they’re a good place to start asking the right questions.