CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: November 17, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. CHAPTER 14.05 (CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE), SECTIONS 14.05.010 AND 14.05.020 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 EDITION OF THE
CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, CALIFORNIA CODE OF
REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PARTS 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6,10, 11, AND 12,
WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE,
BUILDING, RESIDENTIAL, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL,
PLUMBING; WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE, ENERGY, FIRE,
EXISTING BUILDING, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS, AND
REFERENCED STANDARDS CODES; ADOPTING BY REFERENCE
THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AND
THE 2024 FIRE RESISTANCE DESIGN MANUAL AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2025
SYNOPSIS
The State of California adopts the California Building Codes (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) as part of the California Building Standards every three years. The 2025 California Building Codes were published in July 2025 and will become effective January 1, 2026 on a statewide basis. The City of Pleasant Hill (City) also adopts related codes:
International Property Maintenance Code and the Fire Resistance Design Manual. A city, county, or other enforcement agency may establish more restrictive building standards reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geological, or topographical conditions. On October 6, 2025, the City Council set the public hearing and second reading of the ordinance for November 17, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Background
Every three years, the codes for building construction are updated and adopted by the State to meet new technological changes and address new issues and needs. The Building Standards Commission is responsible for updating these complex building standards and has decided to adopt the International Building Code 2024 (IBC) as the State model. Each city and county is required to adopt the State codes, or they will take effect automatically on January 1, 2026. The City also adopts related codes: the International Property Maintenance Code and the Fire Resistance Design Manual.
The City of Pleasant Hill will be enforcing the following:
1. California Administrative Code, 2025 Edition (CBC) — Title 24, Part 1
2. California Building Code, 2025 Edition (CBC) — Title 24, Part 2,Vo1umes 1 and 2
3. California Residential Code, 2025 Edition (CBC) — Title 24, Part 2.5 which is based on the 2024 International Residential Code
4. California Electrical Code, 2023 Edition — Title 24, Part 3 which is based on the 2023 National Electrical Code
5. California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition — Title 24, Part 4 which is based on the 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code
6. California Plumbing Code, 2025 Edition — Title 24, Part 5 which is based on the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code
7. California Energy Code, 2025 Edition — Title 24, Part 6 California Energy Code
8. California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 (New) Edition- Title 24, Part 7 This is a New Introduction in this Cycle (Introduced separately by the Fire District)
9. California Fire Code, 2025 Edition — Title 24, Part 9. (Introduced separately by the Fire District)
10. California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition — Title 24, Part 11
11. California Referenced Standards Code, 2025 Edition- Title24, Part 12 and
12. International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 Edition
13. Fire Resistance Design Manual, (2024), published by the Gypsum Association.
The Contra Costa Fire Protection District will provide local amendments to the 2025 Edition of the California Fire Code (Part 9). The District's amendments are a separate ordinance (also on the agenda).
State law requires that the City Council hold a public hearing for consideration of these codes after introduction of the ordinance. The ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting of October 6, 2025 at which time the public hearing was scheduled for November 17, 2025 to accommodate the legally required public notice and public review periods.
Analysis
Code Change Highlights. The 2025 California Building Code has a new section: Title 24, Part 7 The California Wildland Urban Interface Code. The California Building Standards Commission has consolidated scattered requirements to create a single authoritative source for ignition- resistant building standards in California. This will be a separate ordinance introduced by the Fire District November 17, 2025, with a hearing requested for December 1, 2025.
The 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) has key changes that include expansion of heat pumps.
The new code expands the mandatory use of high-efficiency electric heat pumps for space and water heating in most newly constructed residential and select nonresidential buildings. These new requirements ensure that commercial kitchens and some multifamily buildings are "electricready," making it easier to switch from gas to electric appliances in the future.
CalGreen (Title 24, Part 11) has new mandatory EV Charger requirement, which mandates Level 2 charges where the previous code had EV Capable requirements. Further, the 2025 California Plumbing Code introduces new standards for water efficiency, including mandatory low-flow fixtures and hot water delivery time standards for ADUs. Lastly, there are also updates to the California Building Code Chapter 11A and B regarding accessibility requirements.
Impacts to Permitting. All permit applications received prior to January 1, 2026, will be reviewed in accordance with 2022 code cycle standards. Any applications received as of January 1st and thereafter will be reviewed under the new 2025 codes.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that introduction and adoption of these updated codes will have a significant effect on the environment. Accordingly, the introduction and adoption of these updated codes is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact in adopting these codes. The City's annual updating of the master fee schedule will keep the fees consistent with the level of effort required to administer the updated codes, including City amendments.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, in the City Clerk's office, at the Pleasant Hill Library, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City's web page and are available in the City Clerk's office.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt by reference the 2025 edition of the California Building Standards Code, California Code of regulations, Title 24, Parts 1,2,2.5,3,4,5,6,10,11, and 12. Along with the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2024 Fire Resistive Design Manual.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
None
ATTACHMENT(S)
Proposed Ordinance — California Building Code
Public Hearing Notice
Prepared by: Geoff Simmons, Chief Building Official
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager