Building & Safety Division 2025 Tri-Annual Code Update
Building & Safety Division
Community Development Department
City of Garden Grove
October 28, 2025
Overview
2025 California Building Standards Code Adoption:
Is a required state mandate.
Effective date: Jan 1 2026.
Staff education on the implementation of the new codes
Public outreach through the city website
Major National Incidents
2022 Bronx “Twin Parks” High-Rise Fire (17 deaths, 60+ injured) Space heater, doors failed to self-close, smoke filled corridors & stairways 2023 Maui / Lahaina Wildfire (100+ deaths, $6B loss)
Exposed outdated WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) protections, lack of defensible space, and utility fire ignition risks. 2023 San Francisco Richmond District Unpermitted Residential Fire (4 killed) Illegal, sub-divided “dorm-style” housing w/ no permits, no fire protection. 2024 Kansas City Historic Plaza Apartments Explosion
Natural gas leak — lack of coordinated emergency shutoff + aging systems. 2024 Los Angeles “Ghost Warehouse” Fire (Amazon return package illegal commercial operations) No sprinklers or alarms — multiple injuries, structure collapse
Code Update Focus
Major Code Changes
Life Safety
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) regulations modernized
Emergency communication now required in stairwells/elevator lobbies Energy & Sustainability
More projects must include solar and electric-vehicle readiness Higher energy standards expected for restaurants and 24-hour / high-load uses Administrative & Enforcement
State is restructuring certification requirements for inspectors Testing laboratories & special inspection requirements updated.
OCFA Code Change - Highlights
Enforcement & Penalties:
Clarified violation penalties; added infraction/misdemeanor language for uncorrected fire/life-safety hazards.
Emergency Responder Radios:
All new buildings require radio coverage unless meeting listed exceptions (e.g., small, low-rise, no subgrade); OC Sheriff specs govern where more stringent.
Automatic Sprinklers (CFC Ch. 9):
New buildings: Sprinklers when >5,000 sf or >2 stories, regardless of fire areas.
Existing buildings: Triggers for larger additions and added stories; Group R retrofit triggers clarified for substantial renovations.
High-Risk Storage (Ch. 28):
Tighter rules on pile size/separation, temperature monitoring/rotation (>165°F), water supply/fire flow, tipping areas, access lanes, and on-site spark-arrested equipment
Limits on Local Authority (AB 306)
State may now block local amendments to residential building standards if viewed as a barrier to housing delivery.
Intent is consistent statewide code application, reduce patchwork and provide predictability for developers across jurisdictions.
Any local amendment must be truly justified. City must prove unique local hazard, climate, or topographic reasons — not policy preference
Thank You