Adoption of 2025 Title 24 California
Code of Regulations
(Building Codes)
Ordinance No. 2026-006
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City Council Regular Meeting
January 13, 2026
• The State of California, Building Standards Commission (CBSC or Commission), under California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24, establishes the minimum standards for building construction, fire safety and prevention, and public health and safety in the built environment throughout the state.
• The CBSC updates the Title 24 codes on a triennial cycle, with periodic updates as deemed necessary by the Commission between triennial updates.
• The CBSC has adopted the 2025 edition of the California Building codes effective January 1, 2026. Local jurisdictions are required to begin enforcing the updated codes on that same date.
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Backround
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Significant changes include:
Formatting and reorganization of codes and code sections. • Wildland Interface Code (WUI) is consolidated into Part 7 of Title 24 • Additions and alterations are now required to conform to the WUI requirements if a structure was built after July 1, 2008. (Verify with insurance carrier)
• Unaltered elements are not required to retroactively comply CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 3
2025 Building Code
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Adopted Fire Severity Zone/WUI Map
(Available to view on the City GIS map)
504.5 Exterior Walls
Exterior walls of buildings or structures shall be constructed with one or more of the following methods, unless they are covered with an exterior wall covering complying with Sections 504.5.2 and 504.5.2.1:
7. Wall assemblies suitable for exterior fire exposure containing one layer of 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum sheathing applied behind the exterior wall covering or cladding on the exterior side of the framing.
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Meeting WUI requirements
Minor changes
• Usual and customary
• Intended for uniformity and consistency with surrounding jurisdictions (PG, Monterey, Monterey County)
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Fire Code Amendments
1. Find that the first reading of the City’s building code update ordinance title is not a project under CEQA as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, because it does not approve a project, result in a physical impact to the environment or contemplate future known projects;
2. Request the City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 2025-006; and
3. Motion to waive further reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2025- 006 amending Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code Title 15
Recommendation
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Questions?
End of Presentation
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Memorandum of Understanding
Police Officers Association
City Council Meeting
January 13, 2026
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Introduction
City’s Bargaining Team:
Brandon Swanson (Acting City Administrator)
Marisa Bermudez (Acting Asst City Administrator)
Zach Lopes (Partner, Burke Williams & Sorensen, LLP)
• POA contract expired June 30, 2025
• Per Government Code 3505, public employers are legally required to meet and confer with represented employees on wages and terms and conditions of employment.
• With Councils authority the City’s bargaining team sought to:
• Establish a new labor contract with the POA
• Eliminate a staffing reduction program from prior contract • Reinstate a traditional compensation plan for police officers • Compensate employees at competitive and fair level and encourage long-term employment
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Background
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New MOU Provisions (Sworn)
Police Officers and Sergeants
Term: 2-year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027)
Base Wages: Year 1 - 0% increase - Restore salary steps from 3 to 5, leaving top step unchanged Year 2 - 2.5% increase
Retirement: Employees hired after 2013 pay 16% of their salary – reduced to 50% of total cost in compliance with CalPERS requirements (13.75%) Deferred Compensation: $2500 per year (Previously 20k)
Uniform Allowance: Increase from $80 to $100 per month
Night Shift Differentials (new): Cover Shift 2% of base salary and Night Shift 2.5% of base salary Premium Pays (new): Field Training Officer and Motorcycle Duty 3% of base salary POST Pay (Police Officers Standards and Training Certifications) 1.5% - 3.5% of base salary Traditional Longevity Pay (new): 5 years – 2% of base salary Pays
10 years – 3% of base salary 15 years – 5% of base salary Stand-by Program: $200 per 24 hours assignment – Active during low staffing levels
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
New MOU Provisions (Non-Sworn)
Police Services & Community Services Officers
Term: 2-year
Base Wages: Year 1 - 4% increase to base pay
Remove 6th Longevity Step and convert to 3% Longevity
Year 2 - 4% increase to base pay
Premium Pays: Communications Training Officer pay 3% of base salary Evidence Custodian pay 2% of base salary
Police Services Supervisor – salary and compensation study for this classification only
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Recommendation
City negotiating team recommends adoption of the proposed MOU Thank you
Roofing Materials Policy
City Council Meeting
January 13, 2026
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Background
• Increased alternate roofing material applications
• Fire Safety and Fire Insurance concerns
• Issue - Carmel Residential Design Guideline
• Section 9.8, “Metal, plastic, and glass roofs are inappropriate in all neighborhoods”
• CMC section 17.58.060 - Deviation
• Allows findings to approve projects that deviate
• Required findings
• PC has approved alternate roof materials in the past
Background
• Resident Concerns
• Roof with high contrast with siding (Modern Farmhouse) • Vertical Standing Seam Metal Roof
• Inappropriate in all neighborhoods per Carmel Residential Design Guideline 9.8
• SRI is not a good metric for reflectivity
• PC precedent
• Staff to approve earth tone metal roofs and composite shingle roofs
• Recently all metal roofs have been going to PC
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Discussion - Insurance
•Conversation with Mathew Little (Carmel Insurance) on fire insurance and roofing materials: Wood Roofing:
• ~80% of insurance agencies will not provide fire insurance for homes with wood roofing.
• The remaining 20% may provide insurance if the wood shake is fire-treated regularly. • No guarantee of continued coverage long-term.
• Concerns about how long fire treatment lasts and how often it needs reapplication. • Wood roofs may be more insurable outside of forested areas. •Non-Wood Roofing (Class A Assembly):
• Insurable materials: metal, composite shingle, terra cotta clay tiles, slate, and membrane roofing.
• Typically insured for 20-25 years before requiring replacement. • Possibility of extending coverage with a contractor's report stating the roof is in good condition.
• No specific preference from insurance companies among non-wood roofing materials.
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Discussion – Direction and Policy
• Discussion about ‘Alternate Roofing’
• Metal, Synthetic, & Composite Shingles are most prevalent • There are other alternate roof materials
• Current action:
• Review roofing policy
• Provide feedback and continue or provide feedback and adopt roofing materials policy
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Metal Roofs – Example Corrugated
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Metal Roofs – Example Standing Seam
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Metal Roofs – Example Metal Shingles
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Alternate Roof Material – Example Green Roofs
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Alternate Roof Material – Example Dark Shingles (not high contrast) CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 11
Alternate Roof Material – Example PVC Flat Roof
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Alternate Roof Material – PC Referral
1. Non-earth tone metal roofs;
2. Black or grey or high contrast composite shingle roofs;
3. PVC roofs on second stories of residential buildings;
4. Non-drought-resistant green roofs;
5. Corrugated Plastic or Metal roofs;
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Alternate Roof Material – Examples Dark Shingles (High contrast) CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 14
Alternate Roof Material – Example Plastic Roof
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Alternate Roof Material – Example Non-earth tones
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Policy Draft
Reroofing Permit Process: Single-Family Resid. Buildings Like for like reroofs Wood to wood Track 1 Design Study
Slate to slate
Tile to tile
Tar & Gravel to Tar & Gravel
And other natural materials
Track 1 Design Study
Comp to comp (**earth tones) Track 1 Design Study
Reroofs with change in material
New Materials: Slate, Tile (clay,
ceramic, and concrete), Tar &
Gravel and other natural
materials
Track 1 Design Study
Vertical Standing Seam Metal Roof (**non-earth
tones)
Design Study Track 1 with Planning Commission
referral required
Vertical Standing Seam Metal Roof (earth tones) Design Study Track 1 Metal Tiles Design Study Track 1
Tar and gravel to TPO or
similar (on single story flat roof)
Design Study Track 1
Wood to comp (**earth tones) Design Study Track 1
Wood to comp (**non-earth tones) Design Study Track 1 with Planning Commission referral required
Synthetic Products Design Study Track 1
*See list of acceptable synthetic materials below
*Acceptable Synthetic
Alternatives
CeDUR shakes
DaVinci shake or slates
EcoStar shake or slates
Discouraged Roofing Materials – Permit applications denied/Referred to Planning Commission
1. Non-earth tone metal roofs;
2. Black or grey or high contrast composite shingle roofs;
3. PVC roofs on second stories of residential buildings;
4. Non-drought-resistant green roofs;
5. Corrugated Plastic roofs;
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Policy Draft (Earth Tones)
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Discussion
Break to walk around the room and look at
roofing samples.
Discuss roofing and provide feedback on
the policy.
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Conclusion
Staff Recommends the City Council Adopt Resolution 2026-008 (Attachment 1):
1) Finding that adoption of a roofing policy is not a project under CEQA as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, because adoption of a policy does not approve a project, result in a physical impact to the environment or contemplate future known projects; and 2) Adopting a Roof Materials Policy regarding roofing materials, including but not limited to metal roofs OR
Provide staff with feedback and direction on the policy.
Design Traditions 1.5 Update
and Receive Feedback
City Council Regular Meeting
January 13, 2026
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Today’s Meeting
• Asked by City Council for update on project
• Refresher on background and update on project status
• Receive current draft from Steering Committee efforts • Includes recommended supporting document “package”
• City Council feedback
Project Background
• March, 2022 – Nore Winter contract
• Design Traditions 1.5 Project (DT-1.5)
• April, 2022 – DT-1.5 Steering Committee appointed by Council • First meeting, April 13th
• 36 meetings in total since then (10 mo. gap – Planning Director) • June, 2022 – Community workshops #1 and #2
• 2 nights, 50-75 people
• September, 2022 – Strategy Paper
• Consolidated workshop findings
• Approved by PC and Council
Project Background (cont.)
• October, 2022 – Community workshop #3 • Shared strategy paper and received feedback • October, 2022 to February, 2023 – Drafting Design Guidelines
1.5 • Led by Nore Winter
• Steering Committee and staff continue to meet with consultant • February, 2023 – Consultant draft released for public review • Steering Committee concerns • Not streamlined
• More complicated
• Longer
Project Background (cont.)
• March, 2023 – Steering Committee revised draft • Organized by “Core Principles” • More user friendly
• Less redundancy
• Reduced page count
• March 2023 to Present – Refine Steering Committee draft • Public meetings and input • Refined language
• Small guideline additions
• Photographs
• Supporting documents
Current Draft Guidelines Overview
• Built a design guideline “package”
• Introduction
• Residential Guidelines
• Commercial Guidelines
• Municipal Guidelines (recommended)
• Appendices (support documents)
• Historical Context
• Project Review: Process, Checklists & Narratives
• Preferred Planting and Building Materials
• Further Illustrations
• Index
Current Draft Guidelines Highlights
• Organized under 6 “Core Principles”
• Developed through community workshops
• Reduced Page Count
• 32 pages vs. 180 pages
• Reduced photographs (in process)
• Only when guidelines need a visual
• Find specific topics via index (e.g.: “windows”)
• Shows up under multiple Core Principles
• Hyperlinks (in process)
• Revised and reduced supporting sections (in process)
• “About”, “How to Use”, “Formatting”, “Defining Features, etc.
Design Guidelines Progression
Consultant Draft Committee Draft
Feedback Needed
• First look for full Planning Commission of revised format • Specific feedback requested
• Functionality/usability – how will it work for you?
• Form – how does it look and flow?
• Other design topics – what is missing?
• Supporting Documents – any modifications or additional docs needed?
• Other feedback welcomed
Thank You!
• Steering Committee
• Community
• Winter & Co.
• Planning Staff
• City Council
• Planning Commission
Next Steps
• Receive Council feedback
• Complete drafting
• Reignite project focus
• Incorporate PC and Council feedback into Guidelines
• Update Municipal Code as needed
• Begin adoption process
• PC
• Council
• Coastal Commission
Questions?