Fremont City Council Meeting: 11/18/25 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Community Development
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Code Adoptions & Amendments
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5571) DOC ID: 5571
Updated: 11/13/2025 7:15 AM by Dina Lewis Page 1
2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE ADOPTION - Public Hearing (Published Notice), Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinances Adopting by Reference and Amending the 2025 California Building Standards Code and Adopting by Reference Certain Appendix Chapter of the 2025 California Building Standards Code and Adopting by Reference and Amending the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the 2024 International Property Management Code, and Adoption of the Resolution Containing Supporting Findings and Determinations.
Contact Persons:
Name: Mike Wayne Joel Pullen
Title: Building Official Community Development Director Div/Dept: Community Development Community Development
Phone: 510-494-4487 510-494-4436
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The State of California adopts a set of new construction codes every three years, referred to as the California Building Standards Codes (CBSC), with the next cycle of updates to become effective January 1, 2026. The purpose of this agenda item is to adopt, by reference, the new 2025 CBSC with certain administrative and technical amendments, and to adopt specific findings related to local climatic, geological and topographical conditions that support the proposed local amendments. The ordinance was introduce by the City Council at its November 4, 2025 meeting.
BACKGROUND: This cycle of California Building Standards Code (CBSC) updates contains the 2025 California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code, California Historic Building Code, California Fire Code, California Existing Buildings Code, California Green Building Code, and California Residential Code. As part of this code adoption, staff also recommends adopting by reference the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code with amendment. The purpose of this agenda item is to amend the 2025 CBSC that automatically becomes effective January 1, 2026, with certain administrative provisions and technical provisions based on Fremont’s local conditions.
The City Council introduced the ordinance at the regular City Council meeting on November 4, 2025. The staff report, ordinance, and proposed findings contain detailed descriptions of the specific local climactic, geological and topographical conditions that support the proposed local amendments.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: In order for the City to adopt local amendments, it must adopt specific detailed findings justifying the need for the local amendments. The City must file the findings with the California Building Standards Commissions.
Resolution of Local Condition Findings: Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5 and 17958.7 require the City Council to make findings regarding local climatic, geological Council Staff Report (ID # 5571) Meeting of November 18, 2025 Updated: 11/13/2025 7:15 AM by Dina Lewis Page 2
and topographical conditions before adopting local amendments to the California Building Standards Code. The proposed findings are enclosed with this staff report.
The proposed findings specify the local climatic, geological and topographical conditions that support changes in the building codes. The proposed amendments to the Building Standards Codes are based primarily on earthquake, soil, and climatic conditions.
FISCAL IMPACT: The costs associated with the application and administration of the building standards in the City of Fremont are funded by user fees paid by developers with the exception of Code Enforcement, which is supported by the General Fund. The proposed code adoption would not change the current cost for these services and would not require any additional General Fund contribution.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The City Council determines that this ordinance is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment per CEQA Guidelines Section 15601(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Draft Ordinance - 2025 Building Code Update
• Draft Resolution - 2025 Building Code Update
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Hold a public hearing.
2. Waive the second reading and adopt the attached ordinance adopting by refence and amending the 2025 California Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential Building, Green Building, Existing Building, Energy, and Historical Building, and the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code.
3. Adopt the attached resolution making findings that the amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code are reasonably necessary because of local conditions.