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November 4, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Building and Fire Codes: Adopt Various 2025 California Building and Fire Codes Report Number: 25-0228
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Development Services
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) State Guidelines . T herefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Place ordinances on first reading amending: A) Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapters 15.06 (Administrative Provisions for the Technical Building Codes), B) 15.08 (Building Code), C) 15.09 (Residential Code), D) 15.10 (Referenced Standards Code), E) 15.12 (Green Building Standards), F) 15.14 (Existing Building Code), G)
15.16 (Mechanical Code), H) 15.24 (Electrical Code and Regulations), I) 15.26 (Energy Code), J) 15.28 (Plumbing Code), K) 15.36 (Fire Code) , L) 15.38 (Wildland Urban Interface Code) , and M) 15.62 (Energy Benchmarking and Conservation Requirements for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings) . (First Readings)
SUMMARY
The California Building Standards Commission (“CBSC”) has mandated that local jurisdiction s within the State of California (“State”) start enforcing the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations on January 1, 202 6. The adoption o f California Building Codes is a routine action undertaken by the City of Chula Vista (“City”) in response to State adopted building codes. This action allows the City to incorporate appropriate local amendments into the enforcement program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment.
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Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the action is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
On October 15, 2025, the Board of Appeals and Advisors unanimously recommended adoption of the 202 5 Edition of the California Building Standards Code as amended.
DISCUSSION
As mandated by the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), jurisdictions within the State shall begin enforcing the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code on January 1, 2026. Every three (3) years, the State adopts and amends the newest model codes published by the various independent code- developing bodies. New State building codes take effect 180 days after they are published to allow local jurisdictions time to adopt local amendments to the State building codes before they take effect. Local amendments cannot be less restrictive than the State building codes and must be based on findings that the amendments are necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. Local amendments are not effective until the amendments have been filed with the CBSC.
With the approval of A ssembly Bill 130 on June 30, 2025, local jurisdiction’s ability to amend residential building standards is prohibited, except under specific circumstances from October 1, 2025, through June 1, 2031. Previously adopted and executed amendments to building s tandards can be carried forward during this moratorium, with any further modifications needing to demonstrate compliance with one of the following exceptions:
1. Proposed amendments are substantially equivalent to a change previously filed with the California Building Standards Commission by the City and were in effect as of September 30, 2025;
2. Proposed amendments are related to “home hardening;”
3. Proposed amendments are necessary as emergency standards to protect health and safety;
4. Proposed amendments are necessary to implement a local code amendment that is adopted to align with a general plan approved on or before June 10, 2025, and that permits mixed-fuel residential construction consistent with federal law while also incentivizing all -electric construction as part of an adopted greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy; or
5. Proposed amendments are modifying administration of Building Code implementation.
As required by State law, the City must adopt the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Cod e (Title 24). The proposed ordinances include a series of local amendments that are necessary to address the City’s unique climatic, geological, and topographical conditions. It is important to note that the majority of these amendments are not new regulations but are being re-adopted from the City’s existing Municipal Code.
This action is a standard part of the triennial code adoption process, ensuring that the City’s proven and effective construction standards are carried forward and remain consistent with the new State codes.
Additionally, the proposed ordinances repeal Chapter 15.38 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code and adopt a new Chapter 15.38 titled "Wildland -Urban Interface Code." This new chapter incorporates the recently P a g e | 3
published Part 7 of Title 2 4, the 2025 California Wildland -Urban Interface Code , along with local amendments. The ordinances also propose relocating Section 15.26.050, which addresses mandatory benchmarking and conservation requirements for multifamily and commercial buildings, to a newly created Chapter 15.62.
All proposed amendments are consistent with the requirements of Assembly Bill 130, being that they are substantially equivalent to previously filed amendments, are related to home hardening, and/or are aligned with the City’s previously adopted General Plan.
The following are brief discussions on the various ordinances adopting the 2025 building codes:
Proposed Ordinance “A” - Administrative Provisions for the Technical Building Codes The proposed ordinance amends the administrative provisions of Municipal Code Sections 15.06.001 Purpose, 15.06.005 Scope, 15.06.015 Definitions, 15.06.085(B)(1) Information on Plans and Specifications, and 15.06.090(A) Permit Issuance, to align these sections with the adoption by referenc e of Chapter 15.38, Wildland Urban Interface Code, and the City’s administrative processes for electronic plan submittal and review.
Proposed Ordinance “B” - 2025 California Building Code
The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Building Code and proposes the re-adoption of existing local amendments to the current Building Code adopted by the City. This ordinance proposes minor changes to appendix and section references for consistency with the 2025 edition of the California Building Code.
Proposed Ordinance “C” - 2025 California Residential Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Residential Code. Staff is not proposing any local amendments to the code. This ordinance proposes minor changes to appendix references for consistency with the 2025 edition of the California Residential Code.
Proposed Ordinance “D” - 2025 California Referenced Standards Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Referenced Standards Code. Staff is not proposing any local amendments to the code.
Proposed Ordinance “E” - 2025 California Green Building Standards Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code and proposes the re - adoption of an existing non -technical local amendment to the current locally adop ted Green Building Standards Code.
Proposed Ordinance “F” - 2025 California Existing Building Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Existing Building Code. Staff is not proposing any local amendments to the code.
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Proposed Ordinance “G” - 2025 California Mechanical Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Mechanical Code. Staff is not proposing any local amendments to the code.
Proposed Ordinance “H” - 2025 California Electrical Code The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code and proposes the re-adoption of existing local amendments to the current Electrical Code adopted by the City.
Proposed Ordinance “I” - 2025 California Energy Code
The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Energy Co de and proposes the re -adoption of Section
15.26.020 Outdoor lighting zones, and the relocation of Section 15.26.050 Mandatory Benchmarking and Conservation Requirements for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings to Section 15.62, with the current section only referencing the new location in the Chula Vista Municipal Code (CVMC).
Proposed Ordinance “J” - 2025 California Plumbing Code
The proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Plumbing Code and proposes the re-adoption of section
15.28.020 Residential Graywater Stub-out.
Proposed Ordinance “K” - 2022 California Fire Code
The proposed ordinance repeals existing Chapter 15.36 (Fire Code) of the Municipal Code and adopts a new Chapter 15.36 incorporating the 2025 California Fire Code with referenced ap pendices. In addition to the adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code, the Ordinance further proposes the re -adoption of existing local amendments.
Proposed Ordinance “L” - 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code The proposed ordinance repeals exis ting Chapter 15.38 (California Wildland-Urban Interface Code) of the Municipal Code and adopts a new Chapter 15.38 incorporating the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code with referenced appendices. Targeted amendments are proposed to add a definit ion for “Home Hardening” and to align the Code with recent City requirements adopted under the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Ordinance (Ord. 3598). Specifically, the amendments align Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas and the City’s Special Designated Ve getation Management Area requirements with the new Wildland -Urban Interface Code.
Proposed Ordinance “M” – Energy Benchmarking and Conservation Requirements for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings
The proposed ordinance relocates Municipal Code Section 15 .26.050 (Mandatory Benchmarking and Conservation Requirements for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings) to a new Chapter 15.62 and amends the mandatory benchmarking and conservation requirements for multifamily and commercial buildings to simplify the process to make it less cumbersome for building owners to comply. Highlights include aligning the language with State energy benchmarking requirements, deferring compliance deadlines, clarifying that existing fines may be levied monthly and expanding a data v erification requirement to demonstrate compliance in the future. Proposed amendments to Section 15.62 are substantially equivalent to the P a g e | 5
amendments previously adopted and aligned with the Environmental Element of the General Plan, which was adopted on December 13, 2005.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and have determined that it is not site -specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Council member of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year fisca l impact to the General Fund or the Development Services Fund as a result of this action. There are no increases in fees proposed in this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact to the General Fund or the Development Services Fund a s a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Board of Appeals and Advisors Meeting Minutes, October 15, 2025
2. Exhibit 1 – 2025 California Fire Code – Expressly Marked Amendment Matrix – City of Chula Vista Municipal Code 15.36
3. Exhibit 2 - 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code – Expressly Marked Amendment Matrix – City of Chula Vista Municipal Code 15.38
Staff Contact: Shayne Wagner, Building Official, Development Services Roy Sapa’u, Director of Development Services