DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FREMONT MAKING EXPRESS FINDINGS THAT MODIFICATIONS
TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, AS
ADOPTED BY THE CITY, ARE REASONABLY NECESSARY DUE
TO LOCAL CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2025, the City Council introduced Ordinance XX-2025 adopting and amending the 2025 California Building Standards Code; and WHEREAS, California Health and Satety Code Sections 17938, 11938.3, 17938./, and 18941.5 authorize the City to modify the building standards contained in the California Building Standards Code and other regulations adopted under Health and Safety Code Section 17922 if found by the City Council to be reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geologic, or topographic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered and reviewed the November 4, 2025 staff report discussing the proposed local amendments to the City's adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, the presentations by staff, the proposed ordinance, the November 4, 2025 staff report, and the proposed findings and has held a public hearing to receive input from the community on November 4, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREMONT RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Reasonably Necessary Amendments Due to Local Conditions. (a) The proposed amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code, as adopted by the City Council, are found to be reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological or topographical conditions.
(b) The City Council finds that the conditions listed in Attachment 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein are, in fact, local climatic, geological and topographical conditions. (c) The conditions listed in Attachment 1 make the amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code described in Attachment 1 and contained in the ordinance referenced above reasonably necessary for the reasons stated in Attachment 1 and in the November 4, 2025 and November 18, 2025 staff reports.
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ADOPTED, , 2025, by the City Council of the City of Fremont by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Clerk City Attorney
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ATTACHMENT 1 TO RESOLUTION 2025-XX
FINDINGS
CITY OF FREMONT MODIFICATIONS
TO THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE DETERMINED TO BE
REASONABLY NECESSARY BECAUSE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS
INTRODUCTION
City of Fremont Ordinance XX-2025 contains amendments, deletions and additions to the building standards contained in the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Residential Code, and 2025 California Existing Building Code. These modifications are reasonably necessary because of the climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions found in the City of Fremont. In accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 17958, 17958.5, 17958.7, and 18941.5, this document describes the climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions found in the City of Fremont and the specific modifications and the local conditions determined by the City of Fremont to make each modification to the building standards codes reasonably necessary.
PART I:
LOCAL CONDITIONS
A. Profile of the City of Fremont
The City of Fremont encompasses an area of roughly 90 square miles, with a resident population of approximately 230,000 people. The physical location of the City is in the southern portion of Alameda County, with the City of Union City to the north, the City of Newark to the west, the City of San Jose and City of Milpitas to the south, and the unincorporated areas of Alameda County to the east.
The City of Fremont has a large supply of diverse and high-quality housing units, and a wide range of industries, including a variety of advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, life science firms, a vehicle assembly plant, warehousing and distribution businesses, and a city center with several million square feet of office, retail, and medical facilities.
The balance of developed and undeveloped open lands has been a goal of the City of Fremont and is reflected in the steep forested ridges and foothills to the northeast, bay lands to the west, and some vast open spaces including: Central Park, Quarry Lakes, Coyote Hills, Vargas Plateau, Mission Peak and Ardenwood Forrest regional parks and the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, which are scattered throughout the City.
Winding through the City of Fremont are two major interstate highways, Interstate 880, known as the Nimitz Freeway, and Interstate 680, known as the Sinclair Freeway, as well as State Routes 84, 238 and 262. The Union Pacific and Bay Area Rapid Transit railroad tracks also wind through the City of Fremont.
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B. Local Conditions Create Potential for Major Fires and Earthquakes The climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions found in the City of Fremont create a heightened risk of large loss fires and damaging earthquakes, making changes and modifications to the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 Mechanical Code, 2025 Electrical Code, 2025 Plumbing Code, 2025 Residential Building Code, and 2025 California Existing Building Code, reasonably necessary in order to provide a reasonable degree of fire and life safety in this community. These conditions are discussed in detail below.
1. Climatic conditions
a. Precipitation. The weather patterns within the City of Fremont are moderately affected by the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, which extends the seasonal growing patterns of the vegetation. The normal annual precipitation ranges from eight to thirty inches (8" to 30") per year with an average of approximately fifteen inches (15") per year. Ninety percent (90%) falls during the months of November through April, and ten percent (10%) from May through October. The City of Fremont has experienced major droughts in the past and the frequency and intensity are likely to increase in the future. Drought conditions create more frequent and larger fire incidents, especially wildfire events in the hill areas, as well as the primary transportation and utility corridors of the City. b. Relative Humidity. Humidity generally ranges from 60% during daytime to 80% at night. Humidity can frequently drop to 40% during the summer months and occasionally drop lower.
c. Fog. Radiation fog from the Central Valley enters the Bay Area through the Carquinez Strait during wintertime offshore flow. It can also spill into the Fremont area over the Sunol Pass from the Livermore Valley. Dense fog can develop overnight when these conditions include a moist lower layer (i.e. following recent rain), clear skies, and calm winds. Dense fog is not very common, but it can have a great impact on transportation because of reduced visibility.
Temperatures. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 109°F. Average summer highs are in the 80°F range.
e. Winds. Prevailing winds are from the west or northwest. However, winds are experienced from virtually every direction at one time or another. Velocities are generally in the 8 mph to 10 mph range, gusting to 25 to 35 mph, particularly during the summer months.
Extreme winds, up to 85 mph, have been known to occur.
Analysis. These local climatic conditions affect the acceleration, intensity, and size of fires in the community. The dry winds result in increased demand for emergency response by the Fire Department by drying the fuel load and increasing the risk of ignition, and by spreading fire more rapidly and across a broader area. The winds can have a tremendous impact upon wildland fires, wood shake and shingle roof fires, and fires involving the interiors of buildings.
In building fires, winds can force fires back into the building and create a blowtorch effect, while preventing "natural" ventilation and cross-ventilation efforts. In developed areas of the City, fires can occur in buildings, rubbish, vehicles, and vegetation on vacant lots. In undeveloped and hillside areas of the City, there is a risk of large vegetation fires. Times of little or no rainfall, Resolution 2025-XX Page 4 of 18
combined with low humidity and high temperatures, create extremely hazardous conditions, particularly as they relate to wood shake and shingle roof fires and conflagrations. If a fire occurs, local dry conditions combined with high winds create the risk of potential firestorms. At other times, reduced visibility and traffic accidents due to dense fog can increase demand on emergency services and increase emergency response time.
In addition, local residential development has been occurring in hillside areas adjacent to the historically designated hazardous fire area. These developments increase the chance of wildfire while simultaneously being located further from fire stations, delaying critical response times.
Geological or topographical conditions
a. Seismic Hazard. A table from a 1998 Association of Bay Area Governments publication shows that the southern section of the Hayward Fault is slipping at a rate of 9mm per year and can generate an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.0. As of September 1998, the southern section of the Hayward Fault was identified as having a 23% possibility of generating a major earthquake in the next 30 years.' Fremont is a narrow and long city. The Hayward Fault traverses the City in a longitudinal direction; consequently, most sites in the City will be subject to a near-fault effect and can expect significant damage or collapse of buildings.
Secondary impacts could include ruptured gas lines, collapsed power lines, and breaks in the water distribution system.
The proximity of the northern segment of the Hayward Fault must also be taken into consideration. The northern segment has been estimated to be capable of generating a magnitude
7.1 earthquake with a 28% possibility of an occurrence in the next 30 years. Due to proximity and directivity effects and shaking amplification, a major earthquake on the northern segment of the Hayward Fault can be anticipated to cause substantial damage in Fremont.
The combined probability of damage to buildings in the City of Fremont as a result of an earthquake along either segment of the Hayward Fault stands above 28% in the next 30 years. b. Soil Conditions. Surface soils in Fremont vary from bay mud (very expansive) to alluvial fan material (moderately to highly expansive). Expansive soils swell and shrink with variations in moisture content, resulting in (1) differential "settlement" of structures, and (2) variations in surface storm water runoff. In addition, soft soil in combination with the presence of a high-water table can cause liquefaction in some sites in the event of major earthquake shaking. Structures built on soils prone to liquefaction have a greater probability of severe damage in an earthquake than buildings on other soil types.
Landslides and mudslides have been experienced within the City of Fremont, along Interstate 680 south of Curtner Road, in Niles Canyon and on the westerly slopes of Mission Peak, Mt. Allison and Monument Peak. When slopes fail and landslides occur in the developed areas, creeks and streams below the slide area become dammed with slide debris, which results in flooding. Additionally, landslides often block access roads in the hill area due to slope failure.
This has occurred in the past on major single access roads in the City such as Morrison Canyon Resolution 2025-XX Page 5 of 18
Road, Mill Creek Road, Interstate 680, Niles Canyon Road, and Sabercat Road, which lie downhill from areas subject to landslides and slope instability.
Vegetation. Dry grass and brush are common in the hilly and open space areas during six to eight months of each year. The woodland areas along Niles Canyon, Morrison Canyon, Mission Creek and various other canyons in the hills have stands of eucalyptus, oaks, redwoods and other broad-leafed evergreen trees. The dropped dried leaves, branches, dead trees and undergrowth of brush within these hills and canyons contribute to fuel loading. The fire danger presented by these conditions is exacerbated by dry hot winds associated with the summer months (May through October). Many of these areas experience wildland fires that threaten nearby buildings - particularly those with wood roofs or wood siding. During the dry season, more fire department resources can be occupied with vegetation fires, which occasionally results in fewer resources being available for structure fires, than during the rest of the year. d. Hills, Creeks, Canals, Freeways, Railways, Housing Tracts, Large Buildings and Building Complexes. Fremont is characterized by hills, creeks, canals, freeways, railways, housing tracts, large buildings and building complexes. All these surface features, both natural and manmade, have a major adverse effect upon the road and street layout in this community, including major traffic routes. These conditions limit the number and cause indirect routing of major arterial streets for normal traffic as well as emergency vehicle response. e. Terrain. Areas with buildings include level, sloping and rolling terrain. This terrain is not dissimilar to terrain in other locations, which have already experienced major conflagrations.
f. Roads and Streets. During the peak a.m. and p.m. traffic periods, the City experiences very heavy traffic congestion at key intersections and near freeway on-ramps and off-ramps. As noted above, the limited number and the indirect routing of some roads and streets in the community can create heavy, slow traffic conditions and excessively long travel routes from point-to-point within the community. Thus, in the event of an emergency at a key intersection, overpass, underpass, bridge, or other circulation corridor, sections of the City may become temporarily isolated and response times for emergency crews increased beyond ideal times.
Hillsides and slopes, caused by the mountains and hills surrounding the northeastern boundaries of the City of Fremont, have roadways with designated surfaces (grades) of 15% maximum; however, there are some private roadways and driveways to building sites with roadway surfaces in excess of 20%. These conditions can further slow emergency vehicle response times.
Intersections are rated on a level of service scale (LOS). This scale is "A" for excellent operational conditions to "F", which represents a poor ratio. In the General Plan, dated December 2011, chapter 3 of the Mobility Study evaluated 68 intersections. Of the intersections evaluated, 10 received a LOS of "D" or less for both a.m. and p.m. peak hours. These less than satisfactory or failing marks reflect "barriers" which reduce the response time of emergency equipment.
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g. Population. The current and rapidly growing population in the community creates both fire and police protection problems:
(i) With more people, more emergency incidents requiring a public safety response occur. The greater the frequency of alarms, the greater the likelihood that there will be simultaneous emergency incidents requiring public safety response. This results in longer response times and fewer fire companies or police units to respond to any emergency within the community; and
(il) With more people, there is more traffic congestion during a greater part of the day.
Such traffic congestion not only slows emergency vehicle response but often restricts access to crime and fire scenes.
h. Buildings, Landscaping and Clearances. Many of the newer large buildings and building complexes are of designs that greatly limit visibility, approach, and accessibility by public safety resources. Many houses and other buildings with wood roofs or sidings are so close together that fire will readily spread from one to another by both radiation and convection. i. Water Supply. The water supply (domestic, industrial and fire-flow demands) system within the City of Fremont is directly affected by the topographical layout of the City. The water distribution system operates from 11 reservoirs that are supported by 12 booster pump stations strategically located throughout the City of Fremont. This water distribution system provides adequate water (fire-flow of 2,000 GPM) in most parts of the City; while some hydrants still provide less than 500 GPM.
Business and Industry Centers. The current clusters of high-tech, biotech, green-tech and manufacturing businesses create additional demands for water, sewer and electrical facilities and offer opportunities and access to innovative products and technology:
(i) The more businesses, the greater the demands on water, sewer and power facilities during peak mid-day periods and could lead to shortages and service interruptions that can affect health and safety; and
(i). The availability of high-tech, biotech and green-tech businesses creates unique access to innovative products and technology to reduce energy and water use and reduce waste discharge to mitigate business demands.
Analysis. The above local geologic and topographic conditions increase fire frequency, magnitude, exposure and accessibility problems and have a negative impact upon the response capability of public safety resources. Seismic hazards in combination with soils conditions have the potential to produce substantial structure damage or structural failure, multiple major fires and additional fire dangers, as well as place great strain on police, firefighting and rescue resources. A seismic event could also trigger widespread damage to hazardous material storage vessels and cause substantial hazardous material releases into the environment. In addition, the quantity of Police and Fire Department resources that can arrive within an effective time is limited. A major seismic event would disrupt transportation systems that already limit emergency response due to congestion, steep terrain, landslide vulnerability, firestorm vulnerability, reduced visibility and indirect routing.
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3. Causes & Effects of Climate Change
Daily economic and development activities within Fremont rely on the combustion of fuels to supply energy to buildings, transport people and goods, and manufacture goods, as well result in the decomposition of waste materials in the landfills. Such activities emit atmospheric gases with global warming potential, including but not limited to carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and ozone. Over the next century, increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations are expected to result in global temperature increases, causing a variety of local changes including sea level rise, more frequent heat waves and extended periods of drought. Local risks associated with climate change include:
a. Fire. Fires in the urban environment and in the wildland-urban interface result in direct damage to the built environment and can injure or kill residents. Wildland fires can cause damage to linear infrastructure systems that serve the Bay Area, causing downstream outages, can impact the air quality in cities during the duration of the fire, and can impact water quality in watersheds impacted by a wildland fire. Wildland and wildland-urban interface fires can also damage natural environments, such as recreational areas, and can cause lasting impacts to slopes and soils. Wildfire risk increases due to climate change because of higher temperatures and longer dry periods over a longer fire season. Additionally, wildfire risk will also be influenced by potential changes in vegetation.
b. Landslides. Climate change could change the behavior of winter storms. If winters are compressed, with more rain falling in fewer months, or if individual years are more extreme, the chance of rainfall-induced landslides will increase. Additionally, if fires burn greater portions of landslide-vulnerable hillsides, removing vegetation and increasing storm runoff, the landslide probability will increase.
c. Drought. Drought occurs over several dry years, depleting reservoirs and groundwater basins without the expected annual recharge from winter precipitation. Climate change is likely to increase the number and severity of future droughts, resulting in drier conditions, and will alter the timing and efficiency of the Bay Area water supply. An increase in temperature and a reduction in snowpack are the two most direct effects of climate change that will result in a drier state with fewer natural water resources than historically have been available. Prolonged periods of drought can reduce water supply for regional crops and livestock feed; increased wildfire hazard; and subsidence. Fire hazard increases where drought conditions are high. Additionally, drought reduces the water supplies available to fight wildfires, leading to larger and more extended fires.
d. Sea Level Rise. Globally, sea levels are rising due to thermal expansion caused by the ocean warming and the melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and polar ice caps. Without intervention, rising sea levels may cause more frequent flooding, longer-duration flooding, erosion, overtopping and increased salinity intrusion. Sea level rise can cause shoreline protection, such as levees, berms and revetments, to be damaged or fail due to increased tidal and wave energy. Levee failure poses a great risk to life and property in areas where levees protect surrounding property from sea level rise, surge and flooding. The City has two primary levees.
One is located along Alameda Creek protecting North Fremont and the other along Coyote Creek protecting the south Baylands area. If the levees were to fail, then property adjacent to these Resolution 2025-XX Page 8 of 18
areas would be susceptible to flooding and flood damage. As sea levels rise, groundwater and salinity levels are also predicted to rise, causing damage to below grade living spaces and electrical/mechanical equipment that is below or at-grade. In addition, increasing groundwater levels may increase liquefaction susceptibility, and require the use of stormwater for flood management, which will increase both operations and maintenance costs. e. Extreme Heat. Fremont can experience extreme heat days, where the Heat Index, a function of heat and relative humidity, is high. Extreme heat days pose a public health threat, causing symptoms, such as, exhaustion, heat cramps, and sunstroke if the Heat Index is over 90°F. Heat emergencies occur when residents are subject to heat exhaustion and heatstroke and are more likely to occur in areas not adapted to heat and without air conditioning, cooling centers, or vegetation to mediate heat impacts in exposed areas. Certain populations are typically the most at risk during extreme heat emergencies, including people with disabilities, chronic diseases, the elderly, and children. Climate change is expected to generate an increase in ambient average air temperature, particularly in the summer. The frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events and heat waves are also expected as regional climate impacts.
Analysis. Increases in greenhouse gas emissions result in climatic changes that can have an adverse impact on the local community. Failure to address and significantly reduce these greenhouse gas emissions can cause global temperature increases, resulting in the increased likelihood of and exacerbating the damage caused by such events. Infrastructure and ecosystem damage caused by these events put at risk the health, well-being, and livelihoods of Fremont residents and businesses. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a local level will help to mitigate the effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts include:
energy and water efficiency measures; renewable energy generation; localized energy storage; fuel switching (i.e. switching from energy sources with a higher global warming potential like natural gas, gasoline, and diesel to those with a lower or no global warming potential like hydrogen fuel, biogas, wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, hydropower, or geothermal energy); a can materials in construction and manufacturing; alternative transportation; and waste reduction, recycling, and reuse of materials. Additional efforts to capture and sequester GHG emissions as well as to adapt to the effects of climate change are also important to consider.
Conclusion
Local climatic, geologic, and topographic conditions impact crime prevention efforts and the frequency, spread acceleration, intensity, and size of fires involving buildings, strength of building structural systems to resist local hazards, and ability to deliver uninterrupted water, sewer and power utility services in this community. Further, the potential for significant damage arising from these conditions is found to make it reasonably necessary that the 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 Electrical Code, 2025 Plumbing Code, 2025 California Residential Building Code, and 2025 California Existing Building be changed or modified to mitigate the effects of the above conditions.
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PART I:
SPECIFIC MODIFICATIONS
A. Amendments to the 2025 California Building Code
1. Modifications to 2025 California Building Code Sections 105, 112, 406, 903 and 1507 (Permits, Service Utility, Motor Vehicle-Related Occupancies, Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems and Roofing and Decking Requirements) Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h Earthquake hazards in the City of Fremont, including the Hayward Fault and the Calaveras Fault, could cause severe earth shaking as great as Scale X on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in a large part of the City. The soft soil conditions described in Part I Item 2b of these findings intensifies this shaking.
The issue of fire inception and spread is specifically discussed in detail in a study by EQE International. An analysis of fire ignition per equivalent dwelling clearly indicates that the possibility of fire ignition increases as earthquake shaking increases.* This information was developed from a large database and should be adjusted upward when considering the extremely dry conditions existing in the City of Fremont.
One of the major hazards associated with earthquakes is fire due to broken gas lines and short circuits of electrical systems. Most buildings in Fremont are entirely or partially combustible, which increases vulnerability to fire in the City.
The Hayward Fault intersects Freeway 680 and many major thoroughfares in the City. In addition, large developments on the hillside pose additional difficulties for emergency response teams. Greatly reduced accessibility due to the obstruction of the path of travel, combined with a high demand for rescue and emergency medical treatment, will greatly limit the ability of the post-disaster fire response teams. Mutual Aid will also be rather limited, if at all possible, immediately following a major earthquake along the Hayward Fault due to the expected regional scope of such a disaster. With the inability of emergency services to guarantee rapid response to various sections of the City, it is necessary to mitigate this problem by requiring additional built- in automatic fire protection systems, which will provide for early detection and initial fire control until the arrival of the firefighting equipment and other emergency services.
Further, Fremont has a large population of businesses handling, using and storing materials, and as a result of an earthquake and an ensuing fire, can create major environmental and health crises at a local and regional level.
The proposed amendments to when permits are not required under the Building Code are to ensure the safety of the public when an earthquake or fire occur. Specifically, permit are required for masonry walls over four feet and when changes to cabinets, tiling, carpet, paper, or painting include mechanical, electrical and plumbing changes to ensure that the construction is Resolution 2025-XX Page 10 of 18
safe in the event of an earthquake or fire. The permit requirement for an above ground pool is changed from a depth of 24 to 18 inches due to potential safety issues with a pool during an earthquake. In addition, the permit exception is limited for playground equipment that is not open to the public and for sidewalks and driveways that do not include the entire accessible route, including parking spaces or exits. These limitations are to ensure that the construction is proper to protect the public's safety when an earthquake or fire occurs.
The proposed requirements for roofing certification, tile and concrete decking material over solid sheathing, fire separation between dwelling and garages, automated fire extinguishing systems and flexible utility connections in liquefaction zones are reasonably necessary due to the geological, topographical and climatic conditions outlined in these findings as they would limit the spread of fires by flying ash and embers from one building to the next and ensure that roofing and utility systems remain intact during seismic events.
2. Modifications to 2025 California Building Code Sections 1612 Local Conditions Part I B.2.a and B.2.b
(a) Flood Load, 2025 CBC Section 1612 amending the definition of flood hazard area to be more specific to local conditions as identified by FEMA.
3. Modifications to 2025 California Building Code Sections 1803 (Geotechnical Investigations)
Local Condition Part I B.2.a and B.2.b
The proposed modifications require additional geotechnical reports and requirements for excavation and fills. These changes are necessary due to the proximity of most sites to the Hayward Fault and the high probability of an earthquake along the fault. Concrete and masonry retaining walls can also be greatly affected by expansive soils and earthquakes. Failure of these elements can have significant and accumulative results. In addition, local soil conditions, including soils prone to liquefaction and expansive soils, necessitate stricter excavation, grading and fill requirements. The proposed modification would help mitigate damages to buildings caused by earthquakes and thus likely reducing the required emergency response.
4. Modifications to 2025 California Building Code Section 1809 (Shallow Foundation and Stepped Footings)
Local Condition Part I B.2.a and B.2.b
(a) Stepped footings, amending 2025 CBC Section 1809.3. With the higher seismic demand placed on buildings and structures in this region, precautionary steps are proposed to reduce or eliminate potential problems that may result for under reinforced footings located on sloped surfaces. Requiring minimum reinforcement for stepped footings is intended to address the problem of poor performance of plain or under-reinforced footings during a seismic event.
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5. Modifications to 2025 California Building Code Sections 1907 (Concrete Construction)
Local Condition Part I B.2.a
This modification ensures that reinforcing bars are placed in sufficiently thick concrete to revent buckling of such reinforcement. Rebar placed in very thin concrete topping slabs ha een observed in some instances to have popped out of the slab due to insufficient concret coverage.
6. Adoption of 2025 California Building Code Appendices:
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h (a) CBC Appendix C:
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for agricultural buildings due to local soil conditions, including liquification. (b) CBC Appendix F:
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards to account for the rodent infestations that occur due topographical and climatic conditions. (c) Appendix G:
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for ensuring structures are adequately designed in the event of a flood. (d) Appendix I:
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for patio covers constructed, accounting for seismic, soil, and wind conditions. (e) Appendix Q:
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for emergency housing in the event of seismic, fire, flood, earthquake, or any other event where residents are displaced.
B. Amendments to the 2025 California Mechanical Code
Modifications to 2025 California Mechanical Code Sections 507 and 510 (Commercial Hoods and Kitchen Ventilation)
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a, B.1.b, B.1.d, B.1.e and B.2.a, B.2.d, B.2.f, B.2.h and B.2.i Resolution 2025-XX Page 12 of 18
There have been a number of grease duct fires in the City of Fremont in single-story buildings. These fires were contained by shafts, isolating the fire to the shafts only. In cases where there was no shaft, the fire spread to the roof.
The protection of hoods and ducts in an enclosure constructed of fire-rated materials is in the local amendments to restrict grease duct fires to the hood and duct and prevent the spread of fire from the hood or duct to the rest of the building. Portions of the hood and duct are protected so that in the case of a grease duct fire, all portions of the hood and grease duct that are in concealed spaces, such as ceilings and walls, are protected in a fire-rated duct enclosure.
2. Adoption of the 2025 California Mechanical Code Appendices:
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h (a) Appendix B: (Procedures to be Followed to Place Gas Equipment in Operation) This chapter has been adopted to provide minimum standards for operating gas equipment based on topographical and geologic conditions. (b) Appendix C: (Installation and Testing of Oil (Liquid) Fuel-Fired Equipment This chapter has been adopted to provide minimum standards for the installation and testing of liquid fuel-fired equipment based on topographical and geologic conditions. (c) Appendix D: (Fuel Supply: Manufactured/Mobile Home Parks and Recreational Vehicle Parks)
This chapter has been adopted to provide minimum standards for the installation of manufactured/mobile homes and recreation vehicles based on topographical and geologic conditions
C. Amendments to the 2025 California Plumbing Code
1. Modifications to 2025 California Plumbing Code Section 1211 (Earthquake Shut-off valve)
Local Conditions Part I B.2.a, B.2.b, B.2 g, B.2.h and B.2.i This modification to the Plumbing Code requires the installation of a seismic actuated gas shutoff valve. Earthquake hazards in the City of Fremont, including the Hayward Fault and the Calaveras Fault, could cause severe earth shaking as great as Scale X on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in a large part of the City. The soft soil conditions described in Part I Item 2b of these findings intensify this shaking. An earthquake-actuated shutoff valve can significantly reduce the fuel and ignition sources for fires during seismic events. The proposed modification would help mitigate damages to buildings caused by earthquakes and, thus, likely reducing the required emergency response.
2. Adoption of the 2025 California Plumbing Code Appendices:
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Local Conditions Part I B.2.a, B.2.b, B.2.g, B.2.h and B.2.i (a) Appendix A: (Recommended Rules for Sizing the Water Supply System) (b) Appendix B: (Explanatory Notes on Combination Waste and Vent Systems) (c) Appendix D: (Sizing Storm Water Drainage Systems)
This modification to the Plumbing Code requires the installation of plumbing systems based on topographical and geological conditions.
Amendments to the 2025 California Electrical Code
1. Modifications to 2025 California Electric Code Article 110 (Requirements for Electrical Installations)
Local Condition Part I B.2.b
The proposed changes require non-ferrous materials for electrical installations in corrosive environments. These changes are based on the corrosive soils prevalent in Fremont and will reduce the likelihood of electrical system failures caused by corrosion.
E. Amendments to the 2025 California Residential Code
1. Modifications to 2025 California Residential Code Section R302 (Fire-Resistant Construction)
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.c, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h This modification is required to make the Residential Code consistent with modifications made to similar California Building Code and California Fire Code sections. The proposed code hanges are necessary due to the proximity of most sites to the Hayward Fault and the higl probability of an earthquake along the fault. The resulting intense earthquake shaking will resul in a much higher demand on structures that can cause damages to buildings and fire suppression systems. The required fire separation between residential units and between residential occupancies and other occupancies provides a passive protection system and gives occupant slightly more time to exit.
One of the major hazards associated with earthquakes is fire due to broken gas lines and short circuits of electrical systems. The Hayward Fault intersects Interstate 680 and many major thoroughfares in this City. In addition, large developments on the hillside pose additional difficulties for emergency response teams. Greatly reduced accessibility due to the obstruction of the path of travel, combined with a high demand for rescue and emergency medical treatment, will greatly limit the ability of the post-disaster fire response teams. Mutual Aid will also be rather limited, if possible at all, immediately following a major earthquake along the Hayward Fault due to the expected regional scope of such a disaster. With the inability of emergency services to guarantee rapid response to various sections of the City, it is necessary to mitigate this problem by requiring additional built-in automatic fire protection systems, which will Resolution 2025-XX Page 14 of 18
provide for early detection and initial fire control until the arrival of the firefighting equipment and other emergency services.
2. Modifications to 2025 California Residential Code Sections R401 and R403, (Foundations and Footings)
Local Condition Part I B.2.a
(a) Soil tests, amending 2025 CRC Section 401.4 and Geotechnical evaluation, resting requires CR in the c 1C, scion i on wient tacks ted by end 1s. 030.
Also, this amendment allows the building official flexibility to accept the allowable bearing pressure shown in Table R401.4.1 for type R3 and U occupancies. (b) Continuous footing in Seismic Design Categories Do, Di and Dr, amending 2025 CRC Section R403.1.2 and Isolated Concrete footings, amending 2025 CRC Section R403.1.5. With the higher seismic demand placed on buildings and structures in the City of Fremont, precautionary steps are proposed to reduce or eliminate potential problems that may result for under-reinforced footings located on sloped surfaces.
Requiring minimum reinforcement for stepped footings is intended to address the problem of poor performance of plain or under-reinforced footings during a seismic event. Furthermore, interior walls can easily be called upon to resist over half of the seismic loading imposed on simple buildings or structures. Without a continuous foundation to support the braced wall line, seismic loads would be transferred through other elements, such as non-structural concrete slab floors, wood floors, etc.
The proposed change is to limit the use of the exception to structures assigned to Seismic Design Category A, B or C where lower seismic demands are expected. Requiring interior braced walls be supported by continuous foundations is intended to reduce or eliminate the poor performance of buildings or structures. This proposed amendment is consistent with an amendment adopted during previous code adoption cycles for the California Residential Code.
3. Modifications to 2025 California Residential Code Section R606 (Masonry Wall Construction)
Local Condition Part I B.2.a
Reinforcement requirements for masonry elements, amending 2025 CRC Section R606.12.2.2.3. Reinforcement using longitudinal wires for buildings and structures located in high seismic areas are deficient and not as ductile as deformed rebar. Having vertical reinforcement closer to the ends of masonry walls help to improve the seismic performance of masonry buildings and structures. The proposed modification would help mitigate damages to buildings caused by earthquakes and, thus, likely reducing the required emergency response.
Resolution 2025-XX Page 15 of 18
4. Adoption of 2025 California Residential Code Appendices:
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h (a) Appendix BB: (Tiny Houses)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for tiny houses constructed, accounting for geologic and climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
(b) Appendix BF: (Patio Covers)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for patio covers constructed, accounting for geologic and climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
(c) Appendix BG: (Sound Transmission)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for sound transmission for buildings constructed, accounting for climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
(d) Appendix BO: (Existing Buildings and Structures)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for existing buildings constructed, accounting for geologic and climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
(e) Appendix Cl: (Swimming Pool Safety Act)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for swimming pools constructed, accounting for geologic and climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
(f) Appendix CJ: (Emergency Housing)
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for emergency housing in the event of seismic, fire, flood, earthquake, or any other event where residents are displaced. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
F. Amendments to the 2025 California Existing Building Code
1. Modifications to 2025 California Existing Building Code Section 301 and 401 (Consistency with the WUI)
Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.c, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h These sections are amended to be consistent with the Fremont Municipal Code amendments to the California Fire Code and to cross reference those requirements for repairs to existing buildings in the Wildland-Urban Interface. These amendments are carried over from the last code adoption.
Resolution 2025-XX Page 16 of 18
2. Modifications to 2025 California Existing Building Code Section 1004 (Occupancy) Local Conditions Part I B.1.a through B.1.e, B.2.a, B.2.c, B.2.d, B.2.e, B.2.f and B.2.h This section is amended to add Table 1011.5 of the 2024 International Existing Building Code. This table provides clarification on the relative hazard between the different occupancy groups based on life safety and means of egress. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
3. Adoption of 2025 California Existing Building Code Appendices:
Local Condition Part I B.2.a
Appendix Chapter A3
This appendix has been adopted to provide minimum standards for seismic strengthening of cripple walls, accounting for geologic and climatic conditions. This amendment is carried over from the last code adoption.
Prepared and Submitted by:
Ual Wape
like Wayr
Building Official
Resolution 2025-XX Page 17 of 18
References:
Jeanne Perkins, On Shaky Ground Supplement, Association of Bay Area Governments.
September 1998. pg. 17.
2 John Boatwright and Jeanne Perkins, On Shaky Ground. Association of Bay Area Governments, April 1995. pp. 6,7.
3 Wilfred D. Quan, Near Fault Seismic Issues. EERI Annual Meeting, 1997. * Drs. Charles Scawthorn and Mahmoud Khater, Fire Following Earthquake, Conflagration Potential in the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Memphis Areas. National Committee on Property Insurance. 1992. Figure 3-7, Section 3-23.
S Scawthorn and Khater, Fire Following Earthquake.
6 Scawthorn and Khater, Fire Following Earthquake. Section 3-15.
Other Supporting Documents:
1994 Northridge Earthquake. Seismic Safety Commission, 1994.
Earthquake Planning Scenario for a Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake on the Hayward Fault in the San Francisco Bay Area. California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology 1987.
Proceedings, Conference on Earthquake Hazards in the Eastern San Francisco Bay Area.
California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology 1982.
Fremont Meadows Active Fault Investigation and Evaluation. Woodward-Clyde & Associates. 1970.
Resolution 2025-XX Page 18 of 18