200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite 162
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5139
Fax: (714) 765-5280
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
FROM: PLANNING & BUILDING AND FIRE & RESCUE
DEPARTMENTS
SUBJECT: 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODES AND THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (SECOND
READING)
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 14
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, following a public hearing:
1) By Ordinance, repeal Chapter 15.03 (Building Standards Codes Pertaining to Building and Construction) of the Anaheim Municipal Code and add new Chapter 15.03 (Building Standards Codes and Administrative Provisions Pertaining to Building and Construction) of the Anaheim Municipal Code (Attachment 1);
2) By Ordinance, repeal Chapter 16.08 (California Fire Code) of the Anaheim Municipal Code and add new Chapter 16.08 (California Fire Code) of the Anaheim Municipal Code (Attachment 2); and
3) By Motion, determine that the proposed Ordinances are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that adoption of the ordinances may have a significant effect on the environment.
DISCUSSION:
Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission ("Commission") compiles and publishes the adoption, amendment, and repeal of administrative regulations to Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also referred to as the "California Building Standards Code." The California Building Standards Code includes the following: California Building Code, Residential Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Energy Code, Historical Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, Referenced Standards Code, Wildland Urban Interface Code, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and the California Fire Code (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Codes").
2025 California Building Standards and Fire Codes (Second Reading) September 23, 2025
Effective January 1, 2026, these Codes are applicable to all jurisdictions in California and are designed to be adopted by reference by local agencies with such modifications or changes as local agencies find and determine are reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. On August 26, 2025, the City Council introduced the proposed ordinances for adoption and directed the City Clerk to schedule a public hearing for the item, as required by State law.
Local amendments to the 2025 Codes are developed in collaboration with surrounding jurisdictions to create consistent and predictable requirements in our region. The proposed local amendments are largely the same as those that were adopted as part of the 2022 Code. These amendments pertain to permitted roofing materials, concrete and masonry foundation walls, swimming pool barriers, and small electrical wire installations and are intended to mitigate local life safety concerns such as fire hazards and seismic conditions.
MODIFICATIONS:
Since the first reading, the Ordinance has been modified by removal of item #14 under Section
15.03.030.040 on page 8 of the attachment. This section was deemed redundant since it is included in the California Residential Code and is not intended for commercial applications.
In addition, the table on page 3 of the attachment has been modified by updating some of the findings due to input from the California Building Standards Commission.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact since costs to enforce these Codes are funded by developers and contractors through the review and issuance of development permits.
Respectfully submitted, Concurred by,
Heather Allen Patrick Russell
Planning and Building Director Fire Chief
Attachments:
1. Chapter 15.03 (Building Standards Code and Administrative Provisions) Ordinance
2. Chapter 15.03 (Building Standards Code and Administrative Provisions) Ordinance (Redline)
3. Chapter 16.08 (California Fire Code) Ordinance
4. August 26, 2025 City Council Staff Report (without attachments)