Skip to Main Content

Legal Research Subject Guide

Finding Web Sites

Finding Codes & Regulations

California Codes
The California Codes are the compilation of all the statutes that have been enacted by the California legislature and signed into law by the Governor. There are 29 titles subdivided by sections. Each title of the code covers one or more major subject areas (e.g., the Family Code covers family law topics, the Penal Code covers criminal law, etc.). Codes are cited using both the title and section number:

Examples:

Pen. Code, § 2450 = Penal Code, section 2450.
C.C.P. sec. 1856 = Code of Civil Procedures, section 1856
Family C. 7897(c) = Family Code, section 7879, subsection (c).

[Tip: An abbreviation key to the code titles is available in the front of all of the volumes in the set.]

Two annotated versions of the California statutory codes are published commercially. The code is also available from the California Office of Administrative Law website.

  • West's Annotated California Codes 
    (Ref. KFC 30.5 .W4) 
    In addition to the actual text of the codes, West's annotated codes provide references and summaries to judicial decisions, regulations, and attorney general opinions relating to that statute. Citations to secondary sources related to the statute can also be found along with law review articles and practice guides.
  • California Law 
    This California Office of Administrative Law website contains the full-text of the 29 codes and the State Constitution (text only, no annotations). Search by code section or keyword.

Regulations
The California Code of Regulations is comprised of 28 Titles and are governed by state agencies who are empowered to make rules and procedures, called regulations, to implement state statutes (example, the California Building Code). The California Code of Regulations is abbreviated as "CCR.” A citation is read "25 CCR 60". The first number is the title number and the second number is the section of the code.

The Library does not contain a print copy of the CCR, but it is available online through the California Office of Administrative Law website (CCR).
Note: The terms "Code of Regulations" and "Administrative Code" are often used interchangeably, however as of 1988, the “Administrative Code” no longer exists.