It is unlawful to construct a secret door or hidden passage in a place of business.
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Added: 2026/3/18
The Law
This building code dates back to the Prohibition era, when speakeasies relied on hidden doors and rotating bookcases to evade police raids. By outlawing secret architecture outright, authorities made it easier to shut down illegal saloons. Sadly, this means modern business owners cannot legally fulfill their dreams of having a villainous hidden lair.
Source & Citation
Code/Statute: California Health and Safety Code § 11590
California Building Standards Code (Historical)
Tags:
#ca#architecture#prohibition#speakeasy