SECOND READING AND ADOPTION
ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING
CHAPTER 15.24 OF THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE ,
ELECTRICAL CODE AND REGULATIONS, ADOPTING THE
CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2025 EDITION AND
LOCAL AMENDMENTS THERETO
WHEREAS, the California Building Standards Commission requires jurisdictions within the State to begin enforcing the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code on January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, local jurisdictions are permitted to adopt local amendments to the State building codes before they take effect; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 130 prohibits local jurisdictions from modifying residential building standards except under specific circumstances from October 1, 2025 , through June 1, 2031;: and
WHEREAS, the proposed ordinance adopts the 2025 California Electrical Code and proposes the re -adoption of existing local amendments to the current Electrical Code and Regulations previously adopted by the City.
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista does ordain as follows:
Section I. Amended Chapter 15.24
That chapter 15.24 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 15.24
ELECTRICAL CODE AND REGULATIONS
Sections:
15.24.010 California Electrical Code, 2022 2025 Edition, adopted by reference.
15.24.035 Previously used materials.
15.24.045 Distribution panels – Separate required when.
15.24.050 Circuit cards to be posted when.
15.24.055 Electric fences – Defined – Prohibited.
15.24.060 Phase arrangement – Amended.
(R 12/95)
862-2
15.24.065 Repealed.
15.24.070 Repealed.
15.24.010 California Electrical Code, 2022 2025 Edition, adopted by reference.
There is hereby adopted by reference the California Electrical Code, 2022 2025 Edition, known as the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 3, as copyrighted by the Natio nal Fire Protection Association and the California Building Standards Commission. Said document is hereby adopted as the electrical Electrical code Code of the City of Chula Vista, regulating the installation, repair, operation and maintenance of all electrical wiring and electrical apparatus of any nature whatsoever, whether inside or outside of any building within the City, excepting such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified, or amended. Chapter 15.06 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code shall serve as the administrative, organizational and enforcement rules an d regulations for this chapter.
15.24.035 Previously used materials.
Previously used materials shall not be reused in any work without app roval by the Building Official.
15.24.045 Distribution panels – Separate required when.
Each store in a store building, each flat in a flat building, and each building used as a dwelling shall be so wired that each store, apartment, flat, or dwelling shall have separate lighting and power distribution panels as applicable. Such panels shall not serve other portions of the building. Hotels, motels, hotel apartments , and similar types of buildings may be wired from o ne or more distribution panels.
15.24.050 Circuit cards to be posted when.
When requested by the Building Official, a complete schedule of circuits showing the number, kind, and capacity of each outlet on each circuit shall be posted on each job prior to rough inspection.
15.24.055 Electric fences – Defined – Prohibited.
A. As used herein, the term “electric fence” includes all fences which in any way use electrical energy as an additional deterrent or have wires charged with electricity which are not covered with adequate insulation to protect persons and animals coming in contact therewith.
B. No electric fence may be constructed, maintained or operated within the City.
15.24.060 Phase arrangement – Amended.
Section 408.3(E)(1) of the California Electrical Code is hereby amended to read:
AC Phase Arrangement. Alternating-current phase arrangement on 3-phase buses shall be A, B, C from front to back, top to bottom, or left to right, as viewed from the front of the switchboard, switchgear, or panelboard. The C phase shall be that phase having the higher voltage to ground on 3-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected systems. Other busbar arrangements shall be permitted for additions to existing installations and shall be marked.
Ordinance No. __________
Section II. Findings and Declaration
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista specifically and expressly finds and d eclares that section 15.24.060 is necessary due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions.
Local utilities require having the higher voltage to ground be located on the “C” phase.
Section III. Severability
If any portion of this Ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid, unenforceable or unconstitutional, by a court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed severable, and such invalidity, unenforceability or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the Ordinance, or its application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Chula Vista hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, sentences, clauses or phrases of the Ordinance be declared invalid, unenforceable or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Construction
The City Council of the City of Chula Vista intends this Ordinance to supplement, not to duplicate or contradict, applicable state and federal law and this Ordinance shall be construed in light of that intent.
Section V. Effective Date
This ordinance will take effect and be in force thirty days after final passage but not before January 1, 2026.
Section VI. Publication
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published or posted according to law.
Presented by Approved as to form by
____________________________ ____________________________ Roy Sapa’u Marco Verdugo
Director of Development Services City Attorney