STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
November 18, 2025
CONSENT
13 SUBJECT: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER
14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER
15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDIING, FIRE CODE, AND OTHER
RELATED CODES, INCLUDING LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPT A
RESOLUTIONS SETTING FORTH FINDINGS BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS
FOR CERTAIN LOCAL AMENDMENTS AND FINDING THE PROPOSED
ACTIONS ARE NOT PROJECTS SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE ARE EXEMPT FROM CEQA .
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
Introduce two separate ordinances adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and Fire Code with local amendments to title 14 and 15 of the LBMC:
1. Waive full reading and introduce for first reading by title only an Ordinance titled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH ADOPTING THE 2025 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND OTHER RELATED 2025 CODES BY AMENDING TITLE 14 (BUILDIGS AND CONSTRUCTION), OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE), CHAPTER 14.52 (RESIDENTIAL CODE), CHAPTER 14.54 (MECHANICAL CODE), CHAPTER 14.64 (PLUMBING CODE), CHAPTER 14.68 (ELECTRICAL CODE), CHAPTER 14.70 (WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE), CHAPTER 14.86 (GREEN BUILDING CODE) AND ADDINGS CHAPTER 14.90 (ENERGY CODE), CHAPTER 14.91 (HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE), CHAPTER 14.92 (EXISTING BUILDING CODE), AND CHAPTER 14.95 (INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE), WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS
AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA;”
2. Waive full reading and introduce for first reading by title only an Ordinance titled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH amending title 15, chapter 15.01 (California fire code) of the laguna beach municipal code to adopt the 2025 2025 FIRE CODE WITH local amendments AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE IS EXEMPT FROM CEQA;”
3. Staff recommends that the Council adopt Resolution 25-XX, which sets forth findings related to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions within the City of Laguna Beach as allowed per AB 306 that allows certain amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards and Fire Code as reasonably necessary.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission updates and adopts new construction regulations based on internationally published model codes. These regulations are collectively known as the California Building Standards Codes. State law requires the 2025 California Building Standards Codes be enforced by all California cities. The proposed actions have bifurcated the Fire Code discussion from the other California Building Standards Codes for ease of reference and due to the way the Laguna Beach Municipal Code is organized.
Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the California Health and Safety Code permit local governments to adopt amendments to the California Building Standards Codes when they are administrative or procedural in nature, or when local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions warrant more restrictive requirements.
This Code cycle year is unique as California Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 130 (formerly AB 306). AB 130 was chaptered into law on June 30, 2025, and went into effect immediately.
AB 130 essentially froze both the States and City’s ability to amend residential building codes from October 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031. The Assembly Bill did provide an exception to the freeze if the proposed changes are deemed necessary as emergency standards to protect health and safety, if changes are related to home hardening (improving fire resistance) and are substantially equivalent to those in effect on January 1, 2025.
Further, the bill allows changes or modifications that are substantially equivalent to changes or modifications that were previously filed by the City and were in effect as of September 30, 2025.
To comply with State law, Ordinance No. BXXX is proposed to adopt and only amend as allowed per AB 130 the 2025 California Building Standards Codes and Ordinance No. FXXX for the 2025 Fire Code, including certain appendices and supplemental regulations. City staff has worked in partnership with the Laguna Beach Fire Department on relevant supplemental regulations, and Resolution No. 25-XX provides the express findings demonstrating that these amendments are reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological, and topographical conditions within the City of Laguna Beach and comply with AB 130.
The significant changes to this cycle’s California Building Standards Codes were the creation of the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, residing in Part 7 of Title 24, creating its own part in the series of codes. The WUI Code was created to reduce the loss of life and property in areas where development meets wildland by establishing minimum building standards and requirements to resist fire and address fire hazard severity zones. It consolidates previous requirements from the 2022 CA Code and the Residential Code and Fire Code into a more consistent and unified resource that includes a two-pronged strategy to harden structures by increasing building ignition-resistant structures and ensuring adequate defensible space around them.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
DISCUSSION
California Health and Safety Code Section 17958 requires that the California Building Standards Commission adopt and publish the California Building Standards Codes – found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 24 – every three years. The 2025 Edition applies to all California cities.
Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the Health and Safety Code permit local governments to adopt amendments to the California Building Standards Codes when they are administrative, procedural, or necessary due to local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. Any local amendments cannot be less restrictive than the standards contained in Title 24 (Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5) and must comply with AB 130.
Below you will find excerpts summarizing the Building Code adoption and Fire Code adoption Ordinances.
ORDINANCE NO. BXXX
ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
Ordinance No. BXXX (Attachment A) has been prepared for City Council consideration to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including certain appendices, supplemental regulations, and local amendments, to apply to all new construction within the City of Laguna Beach beginning January 1, 2026.
The proposed ordinance was prepared in coordination with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County chapter of the International Code Council. Many of the existing amendments address regionally occurring earthquake and fire hazards and clarify local administrative procedures, pool safety, or other topics not specifically covered by the Codes. All changes are substantially equivalent to those previously filed by the City of Laguna Beach and were in effect as of November 2025.
If approved, Ordinance No. BXXX would repeal the previously adopted 2022 California Building Codes from the Laguna Beach City Code and replace it with the 2025 Building Code and amendments. The Codes proposed for adoption by reference, along with the proposed amendments in Section 1. Chapter 14.50 of Title 14 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code includes:
CHAPTER 14.50
BUILDING CODE
Sections:
14.50.010 Adoption of the California Building Code, including California Building Code Chapter 1, Division II and Appendix Chapters G, H, I & J.
14.50.014 Amendment to Section 101 of the California Building Code.
14.50.016 Amendment to Section 103 of the California Building Code.
14.50.022 Amendment to Subsection 105.2 of the California Building Code.
14.50.024 Amendment of Subsection 105.5 to the California Building Code.
14.50.026 Addition of Subsection 109.7 to the California Building Code.
14.50.030 Amendment to Subsection 113.1 of the California Building Code.
14.50.034 Amendment to Subsection 114.4 of the California Building Code.
14.50.036 Amendment to Subsection 115.3 of the California Building Code.
14.50.044 Amendment to Subsection 403.1 of the California Building Code.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
14.50.052 Amendment to Subsection 404.3 of the California Building Code.
14.50.056 Amendment to Subsection 410.6 of the California Building Code.
14.50.104 Amendment to Section 903 of the California Building Code.
14.50.105 Amendment to Subsection 904.3.5 of the California Building Code.
14.50.106 Amendment to Subsection 905.4 of the California Building Code.
14.50.107 Amendment to Subsection 907.3.1 of the California Building Code.
14.50.112 Amendment to Subsection 705 of the California Building Code.
14.50.116 Amendment to Subsection 705.2.3.1 of the California Building Code.
14.50.120 Amendment to Section 1505 of the California Building Code.
14.50.132 Amendment to Section 3307 of the California Building Code.
CHAPTER 14.52
RESIDENTIAL CODE
Sections:
14.52.010 Adoption of the California Residential Code including Chapter 1, Division II and Appendix Chapters BH and CI
14.52.014 Addition of Subsection R101.4 to the California Residential Code.
14.52.022 Amendment to Table R301.2 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.024 Amendment to Subsection R324.6.2 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.026 Amendment to Subsection R309.1 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.030 Amendment to Subsection R309.2 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.031 Amendment to Subsection R309.3 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.032 Deletion of Subsections R309.3.1 through R309.3.8.2 of the California Residential Code.
14.52.064 Amendment to Appendix CI Subsection CI100 of the California Residential Code CHAPTER 14.54
CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE
Sections:
14.54.010 Adoption of the California Mechanical Code.
CHAPTER 14.64
CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
Sections:
14.64.010 Adoption of the California Plumbing Code.
CHAPTER 14.68
CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
Sections:
14.68.010 Adoption of the California Electrical Code.
CHAPTER 14.70
CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
Sections:
14.70.010 Adoption of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code including Chapter 1, Division II, excluding Chapter 4.
14.70.015 Amendment to Subsection 101.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
14.70.020 Amendment to Subsection 504.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.025 Addition of Subsection 504.10.4 to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.030 Amendment to Subsection 504.5.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
14.70.035 Addition of Subsection 504.8.3 to the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.040 Addition of Subsection 504.8.4 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.045 Amendment to Chapter 6 of the Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.050 Deletion and Replacement of Section 603.3.1 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.055 Addition of Section 603.4 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.060 Addition of Section 604.1.1 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.065 Addition of Section 604.1.2 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.070 Addition of Section 613 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
14.70.075 Addition of Section 614 of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
CHAPTER 14.86
CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING CODE
Sections:
14.86.011 Addition of subsection 4.106.4.5 to the California Green Building Code.
14.86.012 Addition of subsection 4.304.2 to the California Green Building Code.
14.86.013 Addition of subsection 4.503.2 to the California Green Building Code.
CHAPTER 14.90
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE
Sections:
14.90.010 Adoption of the California Energy Code.
CHAPTER 14.91
CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
Sections:
14.91.010 Adoption of the Historical Building Code
CHAPTER 14.92
CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE
Sections:
14.92.010 Adoption of the Existing Building Code
CHAPTER 14.95
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
Sections:
14.95.010 Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code.
State of California Health & Safety Code Section 17958 and Section 17922 also mandates that the City of Laguna Beach adopt ordinances or regulations imposing the same requirements as are contained in the 2025 California Fire Code.
Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5 of the Health and Safety Code permit local governments to adopt amendments to the California Fire Code when they are administrative, procedural, or necessary due to local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. Any local amendments cannot be less restrictive than the FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
standards contained in Title 24 (Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5) and must comply with AB 306 “Building Regulations”.
ORDINANCE NO. FXXX
ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Ordinance No. FXXX (Attachment B) has been prepared for City Council consideration to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code. As required by Health and Safety Code Section 17958.7, the City Council must adopt findings that local climatic, geological, topographical, or other conditions exist, warranting the adoption of the proposed local amendments to the 2025 California Fire Code.
If approved, Ordinance No. FXXX will repeal the previously adopted 2022 California Fire Code and replace it with the 2025 California Fire Code. The Fire codes proposed for adoption by reference, along with the proposed amendments in Section 1. Chapter 15.01 of Title 15 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code includes:
CHAPTER 15.01
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Sections:
15.01.010 Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code including Chapters 1-80 and Appendix Chapter 4, and Appendices B, BB, C, CC, D, H and K with the following amendments.
15.01.020 Amendment to Chapter 1 of the Fire Code.
15.01.025 Amendment to Chapter 2 of the Fire Code
15.01.030 Amendment to Chapter 3 of the Fire Code.
15.01.035 Amendment to Chapter 9 of the Fire Code
15.01.040 Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Fire Code.
15.01.045 Amendment to Chapter 49 of the Fire Code.
15.01.050 Amendment to Chapter 50 of the Fire Code.
15.01.055 Amendment to Chapter 56 of the Fire Code.
15.01.060 Amendment to Chapter 57 of the Fire Code.
15.01.065 Amendment to Chapter 61 of the Fire Code.
15.01.070 Amendment to Chapter 80 of the Fire Code.
15.01.075 Appendix adoption of the 2025 Fire Code.
It should be noted that the replacement of the 2022 Building Standards Codes and Fire Code with the 2025 Codes will not affect the legal status of any lawfully constructed building, any permitted, ongoing construction project, or any project currently in plan check.
Any projects submitted for plan check prior to January 1, 2026, may continue under the provisions of the 2022 Buildings Standard Codes, provided the project continues to move forward toward completion. All lawfully constructed buildings under any previously adopted Code remain legal and conforming for the life of the structure. The 2025 California Fire Code and proposed amendments in Ordinance No. FXXX will FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
apply to all new construction projects submitted for plan check 30 days after the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance.
Resolution No. XX (Attachment A) has been prepared to establish and adopt the findings supporting Ordinance No. BXXX and Ordinance No. FXXX. A table included in the Resolution identifies the specific findings supporting each proposed amendment. Many of the amendments address regionally occurring earthquakes, fires, or other local hazards, as well as clarifying local administrative procedures or addressing subjects not covered by the California Building Standards Codes, which are reasonably necessary to safeguard life and property.
Once all the state mandated processes have concluded, first reading, public hearing, second reading and adoption have concluded, staff will file with the California Building Standards Commission per Health and Safety Code section 17958.7(a).
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action has no financial impact on the general fund as copies of the California Buildings Standards and training have been appropriated to the fiscal year 2024/25.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Adopting the 2025 CA Building and Fire codes is a state mandate, but when proposing any amendments, City staff incorporates City Council's goals and priorities, specifically: Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness, Community Development and Planning, Public Safety, and Housing.
This year, there has been a major focus on incorporating new fire prevention and safety measures, and particularly mitigating risks related to wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires. This includes updated provisions for fire-resistant construction, defensible space around structures, and emergency systems. This will be established through a new stand-alone code, the California Wildland-Urban Interface (CWUI) code, now part 7 of Title 24. Designed to improve clarity and consistency by consolidating requirements into a single comprehensive document.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed actions are not considered “projects” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with Section 21065 of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060 (c)(2), 15060 (c)(3), and 15378 because the proposed actions will not result in a reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment. The proposed actions are also exempt from the CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The actions themselves do not authorize development that would directly result in physical change to the environment.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. BXXX AMENDING TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.50 (BUILDING CODE) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. FXXX AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.01 (CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE)
OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
November 18, 2025
ATTACHMENTS
1. ORDINANCE NO. BXXX, LAGUNA BEACH BUILDING STANDARDS CODES (Pgs. 9-36)
2. ORDINANCE NO. FXXX, LAGUNA BEACH FIRE CODE (Pgs. 36-60)
3. RESOLUTION NO. XXX, FINDINGS (Pgs. 61-8)
Submitted By: Matt Schneider Approved: .David A Kiff
Matthew Schneider, Director of
Community Development
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Matthew Schneider, Director of Community
Development
Gabriel Linares, Deputy Director of Community
Development
Patrick Donegan, Assistant City Attorney
Robert Montaghami, Fire Marshal