Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: Sunayana Thomas, DIRECTOR OF community and economic development PREPARED BY: JON FUGITT, DEPUTY CHIEF - ADMINISTRATION / FIRE MARSHAL tri nguyen, building and safety manager
SUBJECT: 2025 TRIENNIAL EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE AND CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
SUMMARY
To adopt, by reference, the 2025 Triennial Edition of the California Building Codes and California Fire Codes with amendments based on the 2024 International Codes and approve the Building Official and Fire Marshal findings to substantiate the local amendments in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7.
PROPOSED MOTION
Introduce the following Ordinances for first reading by title only and waive further reading of the Ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 14 TO ADOPT THE 2025 EDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING: CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING APPENDICES I, J AND Q, CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING APPENDICES BF, CI AND CJ, CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE AND CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE ORDINANCE NO. XXXX – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.20 TO ADOPT THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS Adopt the following Resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH LOCAL CONDITIONS JUSTIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, AS CODIFIED IN THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 24 PARTS 2 AND 2.5 DUE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, TOPOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, SETTING FORTH LOCAL CONDITIONS JUSTIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, AS CODIFIED IN THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 24 PART 9 DUE TO LOCAL CLIMATIC, TOPOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Provide alternative options or direction to staff
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the proposed motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Public Safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The California Health and Safety Code mandates that the California Building Standards Commission adopt and publish the California Building Standards Code (California Code of Regulations Title 24 Parts 1 through 12) every three years. The state adopted the 2025 Edition of the California Building Code and California Fire Code and local jurisdictions must adopt these codes by January 1, 2026.
California Health and Safety Code Section 17958.5 requires justifying local amendments based on local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions warranting the amendment(s). The Building Official and Fire Marshal must make findings for specific amendments to the Building Standards found in the California Codes and approved by City Council.
The City advertised public notices in accordance with Government Code Section 6066 Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code, the referenced model codes and applicable state amendments become effective at the local level on January 1, 2026.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment 2 – Draft Ordinance No. XXXX (Title 14 Amendments) Attachment 3 – Draft Ordinance No. XXXX (Title 13, Chapter 13.20 Amendments) Attachment 4 – Draft Resolution No. 2025-XXX (Local Conditions, Building) Attachment 5 – Draft Resolution No. 2025-XXX (Local Conditions, Fire) cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Triennial California Building Standards and Fire Codes Adoption September 16, 2025 - Page 3