CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JANUARY 14, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: A REQUEST BY THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS FOR ADOPTION OF AND
SECOND READING OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND
AMENDING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
(TITLE 24 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS), THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING
BUILDING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING
CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE 2025
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
ENERGY CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN
BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, AND ADOPTING THE 2024
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Building and Safety
Fire Department
SUMMARY:
This is a request for adoption and second reading of a regular ordinance to adopt the newest edition (2025) of the California Building Standards Code (CBSC) with local amendments. Local amendments may be adopted by municipalities due to unique local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The City Council approved the draft ordinance at first reading on December 10, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open the public hearing and receive public testimony;
2. Waive the second reading of the Ordinance text in its entirety and adopt Ordinance No. 2120, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 8.04 OF THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS, AMENDMENTS AND DELETIONS, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 2
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
3 5
7 BUILDING CODE, INCLUDING CHAPTER 1, APPENDICES C, I, AND J; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX AH; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX B; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES A, B, D, G, H, I AND K; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX A; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES; THE 2025 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, INCLUDING
ALL APPENDICES AS MANDATED BY CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 18938 AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”
BACKGROUND:
Every three years, the California Building Standards Commission updates the California Building Standards Code. This Code sets the minimum design and construction standards for buildings and structures statewide. The new 2025 Code will become effective on January 1, 2026. Cities and counties may adopt more restrictive standards (known as “local amendments”) when justified by local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. The City of Palm Springs has adopted such amendments in the previous cycles, most recently in January 2023. If the City does not adopt its own amendments, the statewide standards as written will automatically apply.
The State’s Health and Safety Code requires local governments to adopt the most recent editions of the California Building Standards Codes (Title 24) related to building standards for specific types of buildings, building equipment, and features. The most recent edition for 2025 to be effective January 1, 2026, includes:
2025 California Administrative Code
2025 California Fire Code
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
2025 California Referenced Standards Code
2025 California Building Code
2025 California Residential Code
2025 California Plumbing Code
2025 California Mechanical Code
2025 California Electrical Code
2025 California Green Building Standards Code
2025 California Energy Code
2025 California Existing Building Code
2025 California Historical Building Code
City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 3
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
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7 In past code cycles, the City Council has also adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, which is recommended to be adopted and continued in effect. The most current edition of the International Property Maintenance Code that the City may adopt in this cycle is the 2024 edition. Together, these codes constitute the City’s Building Codes.
At each triennial adoption of the codes, the City evaluates the Building Codes to determine whether local conditions require adoption amendments to, or deletion of, certain Building and Fire Code sections, or adoption of new Building and Fire Code sections to address standards that are distinctly applicable to Palm Springs.
Consideration of the 2025 California Building Standards Codes is required to ensure that by January 1, 2026, when the state-mandated implementation of these Codes occurs, the City Council has adopted any changes necessary due to local climatic, geologic, or topographic conditions. An ordinance has been prepared to adopt the 2025 codes with the local amendments identified, along with certain Findings of Fact to allow for the City’s adoption of the local amendments. No findings are necessary to enact local or criminal procedures and remedies available for enforcing code violations, provided they do not establish building standards.
With the adoption of 2025 California Building Standards Codes, staff is recommending that the local amendments adopted with the 2022 California Building Standards Codes be carried forward and adopted as part of the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, with certain further amendments or deletions as noted herein.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Building Official and the Fire Chief recommend that the City Council adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Codes (CBSC) with certain recommended changes and modifications. These changes and modifications are necessary due to the local conditions in the City of Palm Springs, which include high winds, extreme temperatures, and the city’s physical proximity to known active earthquake faults. Staff recommends these local amendments be adopted by City Council to ensure safe construction practices in light of these unique conditions that exist within the City of Palm Springs. Express findings for local amendments to the California Building Standards Codes are included in the Ordinances recommended for City Council’s consideration.
As the CBSC became effective on January 1, 2026, it was necessary for the City Council to adopt an urgency ordinance with immediate effect in order for the City’s local amendments to also take effect on that date. The urgency ordinance was presented at the City Council meeting of December 10, 2025, and was approved by a vote of 5 to 0.
The urgency ordinance took effect immediately, thereby preserving the City’s right to enforce local amendments. Adoption of the regular ordinance is necessary prior to the expiration of the urgency ordinance.
Relative to the proposed local amendments, the following tables identify where new or City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 4
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
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7 deleted local amendments to the CBSC are recommended, along with a general purpose statement describing the reason for the amendment. Local amendments previously adopted for the 2022 Codes and recommended for re-adoption to be carried forward as amendments to the 2025 Codes are not identified.
2025 BUILDING CODE AMENDMENTS
SECTION NEW DELETED PURPOSE
113.1 *
Amends the code to reference the
Building Code Board of Appeals,
which was established by the City
Council via Ordinance 2019 in
February 2025.
2025 FIRE CODE AMENDMENTS
SECTION NEW DELETED PURPOSE
104.1 * Electronic submittal of Fire Protection
System Reports
202 * To align with Citygate strategic
planning
New Fire Code Regulations Electronic Submittal of Fire Protection System Reports To improve public safety and streamline fire code compliance, the Palm Springs Fire Department will require electronic submittal of inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) reports for fire protection and life safety systems, as authorized by California Fire Code Section 104.1.1.
The City will utilize The Compliance Engine (TCE), operated by Brycer LLC, to manage these reports. This system allows the Fire Department to track system performance, identify deficiencies, and ensure timely repairs.
This requirement applies to:
Fire sprinklers, alarms, standpipes, pumps
Commercial kitchen hood systems
Special hazard systems
Emergency power generators
Licensed contractors must:
Register with TCE
Submit ITM reports within 30 days of service
Submit correction reports when deficiencies are resolved A nominal fee of $20 may be passed on to business owners by the contractor to cover costs of uploading reports. Noncompliance may result in enforcement per the California City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 5
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
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7 Fire Code. This policy enhances code enforcement and supports the City's commitment to public safety. Staff recommends this change for the following reasons:
Ensures that fire protection systems are maintained.
Improves public safety through timely tracking and correction of deficiencies. Strengthens code compliance with consistent, centralized reporting. Increases efficiency by reducing paperwork and streamlining oversight. Enhances accountability from contractors through required electronic submissions.
Aligns with industry best practices adopted by other jurisdictions.
As noted, the attached Ordinance has been prepared to officially adopt the state Fire Codes with local amendments as recommended. Included with this Ordinance is reference to and previously adopted Appendices of the following documents:
Palm Springs Fire Department 5:00 – Minute First Due Engine Travel Time (to be adopted as Appendix P, see Attachment C)
Palm Springs Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map in LRA As Recommended by Cal Fire (to be adopted as Appendix Q, see Attachment D)
Vegetation Management in Fire Hazard Severity Zones (to be adopted as Appendix S, see Attachment E)
Palm Springs Fire Department Development Requirements (to be adopted as Appendix T, see Attachment F)
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Staff has determined and recommends that the City Council find that the amendments to the Municipal Code, made pursuant to these Ordinances, are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because they do not constitute a project within the meaning of CEQA Section 15378. The amendments herein have no potential for resulting in physical changes to the environment, directly or indirectly. The City Council further finds, under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3), that these Ordinances are nonetheless exempt from the requirements of CEQA in that the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. These amendments do not allow any new activities, but merely adopt updated language. The City Clerk shall be the custodian of record for the documentation supporting this action. Staff is hereby directed to file a Notice of Exemption within five (5) days of the adoption of these Ordinances.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with the following City Council Strategic Plan Foundation: Public Safety and Community Services.
City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 5
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
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7 City Council Staff Report
January 14, 2026 -- Page 6
2025 California Building Standards Codes Adoption
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7 FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost for adopting and enforcing the updated codes and providing staff training has been included in the annual budgets for the Building & Safety Department and the Fire Department.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director – Building: Dana MacAllister
Department Director – Fire: Paul Alvarado, Fire Chief
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Attorney: Jeffrey S. Ballinger
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. 2025 Building Standards Code Adoption Ordinance
B. 2025 Fire Code Appendix P
C. 2025 Fire Code Appendix Q
D. 2025 Fire Code Appendix S
E. 2025 Fire Code Appendix T