Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 1 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 Exhibit B – Local Amendments Matrix
Purpose: This matrix identifies all local amendments to the model codes adopted by the City of Cathedral City, the corresponding municipal code sections, the model code sections affected, the type of amendment (Added, Deleted, Amended), and the justification for each amendment as required by California Health & Safety Code §17958.7.
Column Definitions:
Column Description
Muni-Code Sec. Cathedral City Municipal Code section where the amendment is codified.
Code Sec.
Code Sec. – Model code section affected, prefixed by the model code acronym:
CBC – California Building Code ; CRC – California Residential Code ; CMC – California Mechanical Code; CPC – California Plumbing Code; CEC – California Electrical Code; CFC – California Fire Code; CEBC – California Existing Building Code; CEEC – California Energy Code; CalGreen – California Green Building Standards Code; IPMC – International Property Maintenance Code; CRSC – California Reference Standards Code Amendment Title Short description of the amendment’s subject.
A Checkmark indicates a section added to the model code.
M Checkmark indicates a section amended from the model code.
Just. Letter(s) corresponding to the Justification Key (see below).
Justification Key:
Letter Finding of Fact
CL = Climatic
Cathedral City has an arid desert climate with annual rainfall of approximately 3 inches. Temperatures exceed 100° Fahrenheit on average for four months of the year, with daily highs near 110° Fahrenheit during July and August. Surface area temperatures exceeding 160° Fahrenheit are common. Additionally, the area is subject to hot, dry winds during most months of the year. These hot, dry, windy climate conditions increase fire danger by drying and pre- heating combustible material and by fostering spontaneous combustion of flammable materials. These conditions can hasten the spread and heighten the intensity of fires, thus, creating a need for an increased level of fire protection. The fire dangers that result from these desert conditions can be mitigated by: (i) requiring the installation of the proposed on-site fire protection systems; (ii) mandating the use of clay or concrete tiles as roofing materials because clay and concrete are more fire-resistive than other roofing materials permitted under the Code; and (iii) prohibiting the use of aluminum and copper-clad aluminum wiring smaller than size one ought (1/0) because the smaller gauge aluminum wiring is more likely to fail under the desert conditions and result in mechanical failure which can lead to fires, electrical shocks and other hazardous conditions.
Persistent drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin have resulted in water levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell that are near-historic lows. On May 9, 2016, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. issued an Executive Order aimed at water conservation due to severe and continuing drought conditions throughout the State of California. As a result of this water emergency, the City must take extensive steps to reduce the consumption of water, including its dependency on large volumes of water for fire suppression.
Requiring the installation of on-site fire protection systems and the other proposed fire protection measures will provide an increased level of fire protection and reduce the City's dependency on large volumes of water for fire suppression.
Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 2 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 GE = Geographic
Cathedral City is located on or near several significant seismic zones that have the potential to cause moderate to large earthquakes: San Andreas Fault Zone, Garnet Hill Fault, San Jacinto Fault, East Mojave Shear Zone and Pinto Mountain Fault.
Severe seismic activity could disrupt communications, damage gas mains, cause extensive electrical hazards, and place extreme demands on the limited and widely dispersed resources of the City's Fire Department. Requiring the installation of on-site fire protection systems including automatic fire sprinkler systems and the other proposed fire protection measures described above can partially mitigate the demand for fire protection services following a severe seismic event, resulting in improved fire safety for building occupants and the community at-large.
TO = Topographic
Elevation within the City limits ranges from 270 feet in the eastern portions of the City adjacent to the Whitewater River to 1,360 feet in the mountains in the most Northern boundaries of the City. Topography extends from flat to 6% slope for habitable land.
Traffic and circulation to buildings located in the commercial areas of the City often slows fire department response time to emergencies. Requiring the installation of on-site fire protection systems and the other proposed fire protection measures will supplement normal fire department response in new developments and result in improved fire safety for building occupants and the community at-large during fire occurrence.
AD = Administrative
These amendments are administrative in nature and do not modify a California Building Standard. Instead, they establish local processes, authority, and enforcement procedures to ensure effective application of the building codes in Cathedral City.
Administrative provisions may include permitting procedures, fee schedules, timelines for approvals, inspection requirements, and coordination with other departments and agencies.
Finding: The local climatic, geological and topographical conditions identified above create a heightened fire danger that requires the adoption of stringent fire protection measures. If not amended, the California Building and Fire Codes would permit the construction within the City of many new buildings and structures and the improvement of many existing buildings without on-site fire protection systems, with roofing materials other than clay or concrete tile, and with aluminum and copper-clad aluminum wiring smaller than size one ought (1/0).
Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 3 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 Universal Local Amendment Matrix
Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.02.010 Gen Codes Adopted without Amendments X AD
8.02.020 Gen Codes Adopted with Amendments X AD
8.04.020 CBC California Building Code/Amendments (8.04.020) X AD
8.04.020 105.8 Permit Issuance Restrictions X AD
8.04.020 117 Site Security and Trash X AD
8.04.020 502.1 Address Identification X AD
8.04.020 901.1 Scope X AD
8.04.020 1505.1 Roof Assemblies, Fire Classification General Scope X GE
8.04.020 1506.4 Roof Assemblies, Materials, Additions and Alterations X GE
8.04.020 3109.2.1 California Swimming Pool Safety Act X AD
8.04.040 Appendices Adoption of Appendix C, I, J, P AD
8.14.010 CEC California Electrical Code/Amendments (8.14.010) AD
8.14.020 230.79(C) Rating of Service, One-Family Dwelling X CL, AD
8.14.020 310.3(E) Conductors for General Wiring X CL, AD
8.14.030 100 Definitions – “Authority Having Jurisdiction” X AD
8.14.040 CEC Adoption of Appendices: Annex A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I AD
8.18 CRC California Residential Code/Amendments (8.18) AD
8.18 103.1 Creation of Enforcement Agency X AD
8.18 105.2(2) Work Exempt from Permit – Exemption of Wall Height X AD
8.18 R325.10 Required Air Conditioning for Dwelling Units X CL
8.18 Appendices Adoption of Appendix BF – Patio Covers AD
8.18 R902.1 Exc. 5 Roof Assemblies, Exception (5) X CL, AD, GE
8.18 R904.2.1 Compatibility of Materials (Roofing), Additions/Alterations X CL, AD, GE
8.20 IPM 2024 International Property Maintenance Code CL, AD
8.20 602.1 Facilities Required, Heating and Air Conditioning Required X CL
8.20 602.2 Residential Occupancies X CL, GE, TO
8.20 602.3.1 Air Conditioning Supply X CL
8.12 CFC California Fire Code/Amendments (8.12) AD
8.12.10 202 Definitions – “Cannabis Facility”, “Common Area”, “Mid-Rise Building”, “Model Rocket”, “Model Rocket Engine”
X AD
8.12.030 104.8.1 Legal Defense X AD
Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 3 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.12.030 106.1.1 Plan Submittal, Exception X AD
8.12.030 113.4 Violations and Penalties X GE
8.12.040 Appendix B CL
8.12.040 105.2 Required Fire Flow Other Than One and Two Family Dwellings, R-3, R-4 and Townhouses – Allow 50% of the values in Table 105.2
X AD
8.12.040 105.2 Deletion of Footnotes “a” and “b” X AD
8.12.040 B106 Referenced Standards AD
8.12.040 B106 IFC-2024 International Fire Code, Appendix B (same as above) X AD
8.12.050 Appendices Adoption of Appendices A,E,F,G,H,J-1.1,K,LM,N,O,P AD
8.12.050 308.1.6 Open-flame devices X
8.12.050 308.1.7 Sky Lanterns X AD
8.12.050 308.3.2.11 Installation of Permanently fueled Tiki and Luau Torches X AD
8.12.050 503.1.2 Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Additional Access X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2(b) Access Road Design X AD
8.12.050 503.5.3 Fences X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.1.4 Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Fire Lanes and Signage X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.1 Dimensions X AD
8.12.050 503.2.3 Surface X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.4 Turning Radius X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.5 Dead Ends X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.7 Grade X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.9 Aerial Access Roads X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.9.1 Minimum Width X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.2.9.2 Proximity to Building X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6 Security Gates X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.1 Knox Access Switches X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.2 Residential Complexes X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.3 Dimensions X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.4 Power Failure X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.5 Override Switch X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.6 Spikes and Roadway Obstructions Prohibited X AD, GE
8.12.050 503.6.7 Final Inspection X AD
8.12.050 504.1 Required Access X AD
8.12.050 CFC 505.1.1 Address Numbers for Specified Occupancies X AD Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 5 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.12.050 506.1 Key Boxes, Where Required X AD
Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.12.050 507.5.3 Private Fire Service and Water Tanks X GE
8.12.050 507.5.3.1 Fire Department Connections and Private Hydrants X GE
8.12.050 507.5.3.1.1 Where required X AD
8.12.050 511 Features and Requirements X AD
8.12.050 511.1 General X AD
8.12.050 901.4 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems X AD
8.12.050 901.6 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance X AD
8.12.050 903.2 Automatic Sprinkler Systems X AD
8.12.050 903.2.1.1 Group A-1 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.1.2 Group A-2 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.1.3 Group A-3 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.2 Group B X AD
8.12.050 903.2.3 Group E X AD
8.12.050 903.2.4 Group F-1 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.4 iv Cannabis Cultivation and Manufacturing Sites X AD
8.12.050 903.2.7 Group M X AD
8.12.050 903.2.9 iv Group S-1 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.9.1 Repair Garages X AD
8.12.050 903.2.10 Group S-2 X AD
8.12.050 903.2.10.1 Commercial Parking Garages X AD
8.12.050 903.3.10 Floor Control Valves X AD
8.12.050 903.6.1 Buildings Proximity Location to a Protected Building X AD
8.12.050 903.6.1.2 Tenant Improvements X AD
8.12.050 903.6.2 Increased Square Footage X AD
8.12.050 908.3.1 Alarms X AD
8.12.050 908.3.2 Shutoff of Gas Supply X
8.12.050 916.3.1 Gas Detection Alarms X AD
8.12.050 916.3.2 Gas Supply Shutoff X AD
8.12.050 916.3.3 Valve Closure X AD
8.12.050 1103.11 Increased Hazard Class in Change of Use X AD
8.12.050 1201.1.1 Other Systems X AD
8.12.050 3106.4.8.1 Parade Floats X AD
Local Amendments Matrix
Adoption of the 2025 California Building Codes
Exhibit B - Ordinance No. [###] Page 6 of 6 Date: 9/26/25 Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.12.050 5614 Fireworks X AD
8.12.050 5704.2.9.6.1.4.1 Location (Flammable and Combustible liquids) X AD Muni-Code Sec. Code Sec. Amendment Title A M Just.
8.12.050 6109.1.1 New Installation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas X AD