1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Adrian Fernandez, Community and Economic Development Director
PRESENTED BY: Bryan Martinez, Associate Planner
MEETING DATE: April 21, 2026
SUBJECT: Consideration of an Ordinance Adopting the 2025 California Fire Code
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Conduct public hearing and after the City Attorney reads the title introducing the first reading of the proposed ordinance, schedule the second reading and adoption for the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting.
BACKGROUND
The City is required to apply fire safety codes to its building standards. The City adopts the Los Angeles County Fire Code by reference to apply its fire code.
Every three years, the State of California adopts new building and fire codes. It is then typical for the County of Los Angeles to adopt amendments to these codes prior to the State’s codes’ effective date. The 2025 California Fire Code became effective on January 1, 2026.
DISCUSSION
The City of Lomita contracts with the County of Los Angeles Fire District for enforcement of the City’s fire code, the general supervision of conditions and equipment which aid in the control of fire, and the abatement of fire hazards and dangerous conditions. In the past, the City has adopted earlier versions of these codes by reference. The County codes have not been revised to comply with the California Fire Code.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. 9b
2 Over the last few code cycles, the Los Angeles County Fire Department has been late in adopting its amendments. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has yet to announce when its amendments will be ready. As a result and with consultation of the City Attorney, staff recommends the adoption of the 2025 California State Fire Code at this time and will return to the City Council after the County adopts its amendments at some point in the future.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no financial implications resulting from this recommendation.
VISION, MISSION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC OUTCOMES
The City’s Vision, Mission, and Values set the standard for the organization, establish priorities, uniformity and guidelines; and provide the framework for policy decision making. The Strategic Outcomes were implemented to provide a pathway to achieving the City’s Vision. This item aligns with Strategic Outcome No. 1: Safety & Security - Keeping Lomita safe, prepared and resilient.
OPTIONS
1. Approve the attached ordinance.
2. Do not approve the ordinance.
3. Provide staff with further direction.
ATTACHMENT
1. Draft ordinance
Approved by:
.
_______________________
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Prepared by:
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Adrian Fernandez, Community and Economic Development Director