San Bernardino, CA Building Safety: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (2026)

San Bernardino Municipal Code Title 15 adopts the California Building Code and California Code of Regulations Title 24, which incorporate Cal/OSHA scaffold safety rules found in Title 8 Sections 1635 through 1670. Supported scaffolds over 7.5 feet must include guardrails on all open sides consisting of a top rail between 38 and 45 inches above the platform, a mid-rail, and a toeboard when workers, equipment, or the public may pass below. Fall protection by personal fall arrest system or guardrails is mandatory, and suspended scaffolds require both guardrails and personal fall arrest. Platform planks must be scaffold-grade lumber or manufactured decking, fully planked across bearers with no gap exceeding 1 inch, and secured against uplift and displacement. Access must be by ladder, stair tower, or integral scaffold rungs. A competent person, defined under Title 8 Section 1504, must inspect each scaffold before every work shift and after any event that could affect structural integrity. Scaffolds within 10 feet of overhead power lines require de-energizing, insulation, or a minimum clearance per Title 8 Section 2946. In San Bernardino, scaffolds that extend into the public right-of-way along downtown corridors such as E Street, D Street, and Highland Avenue require an encroachment permit from Public Works Engineering, pedestrian protection with overhead canopy if over 10 feet tall, reflective markings for nighttime visibility, and lane-closure coordination for any street impact. Residential owners using small scaffolds under 6 feet on their own property do not need a separate permit, but the underlying building permit governs the overall project.