ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Ordinances TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Viridiana Gallardo-King, Deputy City Attorney II
DATE: September 1, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of ordinances amending Chapter 15.65 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code relating to the California Fire Code and Chapter 8.60 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code relating to the Certified Unified Program Agency. (All wards) (FR 8/26/2026)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance amendments.
BACKGROUND:
The State has adopted the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code which is a modified version of the 2022 International Fire Code. This is part of the normal code adoption cycle which occurs every three years.
Fire departments are authorized to locally amend and adopt the California Fire Code, provided the local amendments are no less stringent than the State-wide standards.
Chapter 15.65 removes various sections that are now addressed in the California Fire Code and are therefore duplicative in nature. The proposed code amendments are carryovers from the previous code adoption cycle in 2022 and are minimal and technical in nature.
Chapter 8.60 adds reference to the California Code of Regulations as it also applies to the City’s Certified Unified Program Agency, as well as requirements for additional hazardous materials regulated.
The Fire department has contacted land developers and the Home Builders Association (HBA) about the adoption of the new code and proposed amendments. Staff will meet wit h HBA and land developers to discuss the changes.
A copy of the California Fire Code is on file at the City Clerk’s office for review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The action to change the Code to match the New State Code has minimal cost, developers will need to pay for the fees associated with the increases in time or labor.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Code Changes